Hopefully this is a simple question....the boat we just purchased has a solar vent over one of the cowl vent holes. I'm not sure it is working. I don't hear anything nor do I feel any air flow. This is my first experience with one of these. How do they work and do I need to do something to make it work? I'm not sure of the manufacturer, but assume they all work somewhat alike...Thanks in advance.
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Is it in the sun?
First, it must be in the sun to work. The older ones only ran in the sun. The newer ones run in the sun, but also charge a battery for when it is not sunny. In either case, you should be able to hear it when it is running if you put your ear close. If it's not in the sun, as in a shed, the batteries may not be charged.
First, it must be in the sun to work. The older ones only ran in the sun. The newer ones run in the sun, but also charge a battery for when it is not sunny. In either case, you should be able to hear it when it is running if you put your ear close. If it's not in the sun, as in a shed, the batteries may not be charged.
Mine always runs
Most solar fans run on solar cells during periods of sunlight and on a rechargable battery when the sun is not available. The air flow can be intake or exhaust depending on the fan blade installed in the vent. You should be able to look into the bottom of the vent ab see if the blade turns. You can also hold a piece of tissue under the vent to see if it blows out or in. If you have no air movement you can check several things to find the problem. 1. Bad fan motor or the fan blade is stuck. You can spin the fan blade to see if this helps start the fan. 2. Check the voltage of the soalr cells with a meter. Should be around 1.5 volts in strong sunlight. 3. There is a 1.5 volt rechargable "C" cell in the fan housing that could be dead. One way to test is to remove the battery and point the solar cells toward the sun. If the fan starts working you know the battery should be replaced. If none of the above help you may have a problem that can only be fixed by replacing the solar vent. Good luck.
Most solar fans run on solar cells during periods of sunlight and on a rechargable battery when the sun is not available. The air flow can be intake or exhaust depending on the fan blade installed in the vent. You should be able to look into the bottom of the vent ab see if the blade turns. You can also hold a piece of tissue under the vent to see if it blows out or in. If you have no air movement you can check several things to find the problem. 1. Bad fan motor or the fan blade is stuck. You can spin the fan blade to see if this helps start the fan. 2. Check the voltage of the soalr cells with a meter. Should be around 1.5 volts in strong sunlight. 3. There is a 1.5 volt rechargable "C" cell in the fan housing that could be dead. One way to test is to remove the battery and point the solar cells toward the sun. If the fan starts working you know the battery should be replaced. If none of the above help you may have a problem that can only be fixed by replacing the solar vent. Good luck.
blows both ways
Most of these can be used to blow in or out. Check the fan. Take out the fan and check which way it's moving. By turning the fan upside down you can reverse the air flow.
Most of these can be used to blow in or out. Check the fan. Take out the fan and check which way it's moving. By turning the fan upside down you can reverse the air flow.
Nicro Solar Vents
have removable fan blades. This is how you reverse the air-flow. Could your fan blade be off?
have removable fan blades. This is how you reverse the air-flow. Could your fan blade be off?
FYI Gaskets replaced at no charge
Marinco makes Nicro vents and will replace the gaskets at no charge. I recently found the battery in my vent had expired and in the course of replacing it(my vent is just pushed into a sleeve and can easily be pulled out from the topside)I realized the battery compartment and vent gaskets were bad. E-mailed my request with model and size to the related link and about a week later they arrived. Good customer support, worthy of mention.
Marinco makes Nicro vents and will replace the gaskets at no charge. I recently found the battery in my vent had expired and in the course of replacing it(my vent is just pushed into a sleeve and can easily be pulled out from the topside)I realized the battery compartment and vent gaskets were bad. E-mailed my request with model and size to the related link and about a week later they arrived. Good customer support, worthy of mention.
If the sun is out and the fan blade isn't moving
...its not working. I would check first to see of the blade rotates freely on the shaft by moving it with your finger. The solar cells and/or motors on these things seem to have an average life of 2-3 years although I am sure some have had better and worse experience. I am a fan of the Nicro and have had good luck. I would replace what you have if it doesn't work.
...its not working. I would check first to see of the blade rotates freely on the shaft by moving it with your finger. The solar cells and/or motors on these things seem to have an average life of 2-3 years although I am sure some have had better and worse experience. I am a fan of the Nicro and have had good luck. I would replace what you have if it doesn't work.
Thanks everyone
I'll do as many of you suggested this week-end. Hopefully it is as simple as a stuck blade or dead battery (although that sounds like it can be an ordeal also). I suspect the unit could be as old as 9 year. Perhaps if all the simple things don't check out, time for a new one...
I'll do as many of you suggested this week-end. Hopefully it is as simple as a stuck blade or dead battery (although that sounds like it can be an ordeal also). I suspect the unit could be as old as 9 year. Perhaps if all the simple things don't check out, time for a new one...
Beware of Guests
Be careful when you remove your vent. When I removed mine last June, I discovered a large nest of angry wasps inhabiting the housing, thus explaining the fan's inability to turn, and causing me to take an unplanned swim spurred on by a substantial boost of adrenaline.
Be careful when you remove your vent. When I removed mine last June, I discovered a large nest of angry wasps inhabiting the housing, thus explaining the fan's inability to turn, and causing me to take an unplanned swim spurred on by a substantial boost of adrenaline.
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