This month's Sail magazine has an article about improving cabin ventilation. I have an O'Day 22 and was thinking about installing a solar powered exhaust fan on the forward hatch. My only concern is that it could draw air across the fuel locker and through the boat. The fan can be set up as in-take, thus “pushing” air out the stern clam-shell vents but I’m not sure how effective that would be. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Solar Ventilation
- Thread starter Journey6534
- Start date
- Status
Your fuel locker must be isolated from cabin!
The fuel locker is to be vented to the outside and be totally sealed from your cabin or other areas. Don't forget - gas fumes are heavier than air, so your fuel vent must be lower than your tank. The chandlery here has some great deals on solar vents.
The fuel locker is to be vented to the outside and be totally sealed from your cabin or other areas. Don't forget - gas fumes are heavier than air, so your fuel vent must be lower than your tank. The chandlery here has some great deals on solar vents.
Have Two
This shouldn't be a problem. As stated, I have 2, one for intake, the other for exhaust, they don't move that much air to cause any sort of problem.
This shouldn't be a problem. As stated, I have 2, one for intake, the other for exhaust, they don't move that much air to cause any sort of problem.
Would not use any fan around fuel (gas) that is...
I would not use any fan around fuel (gas) that is not spark protected. If you are using it in the v-berth and your fuel is in stern, then you are okay. You just don't need any chance of using an unprotected fan around gasoline fumes.
I would not use any fan around fuel (gas) that is not spark protected. If you are using it in the v-berth and your fuel is in stern, then you are okay. You just don't need any chance of using an unprotected fan around gasoline fumes.
Solar Ventilation: Clarification
The fuel locker I spoke of is where the gas-tank resides for the outboard motor. It’s a general purpose storage locker, accessible from the cockpit through a hatch in the bench. It is passively vented through the gunwale clamshell but it is open to the cabin. I could be making amore of an issue of the “fuel-fumes” than is warranted; I’ve never smelled anything in the cabin when boarding. ( I may post another question on the boards specific to my boat to see if the locker is open on other O’Day 22s.) The unit I am thinking about is the Day&Night 2000 which should be more that adequate to keep the air below fresh while the boat is on the mooring. I was really wondering if anyone had installed such units and felt they were worth the money and effort.
The fuel locker I spoke of is where the gas-tank resides for the outboard motor. It’s a general purpose storage locker, accessible from the cockpit through a hatch in the bench. It is passively vented through the gunwale clamshell but it is open to the cabin. I could be making amore of an issue of the “fuel-fumes” than is warranted; I’ve never smelled anything in the cabin when boarding. ( I may post another question on the boards specific to my boat to see if the locker is open on other O’Day 22s.) The unit I am thinking about is the Day&Night 2000 which should be more that adequate to keep the air below fresh while the boat is on the mooring. I was really wondering if anyone had installed such units and felt they were worth the money and effort.
In this case I would simply vent with the
forward ventilator as an intake and the locker as an outlet. I run two fans during the daylight hours and that has been enough on my 30 foot Islander to keep it fresh summer and winter.
forward ventilator as an intake and the locker as an outlet. I run two fans during the daylight hours and that has been enough on my 30 foot Islander to keep it fresh summer and winter.
That's why I said your fuel must be isolated.
The coast guard will not approve your present set up. The portable fuel tank must not be stored inside your boat. It must be sealed and isolated from your cabin with adequate ventilation beside or below the tank. Since you don't have such an isolated area at the moment, you should have your tank sitting on the cockpit floor close to some cockpit drains. Gas fumes do not rise - they sink. Fumes escaping from the tank in your present storage area will flow rapidly down into the lower parts of your boat. Gas fumes are extremely difficult to remove and are highly explosive. One of these days - boom! The Day/Night 2000 is a good unit, but a little expensive. You can contact the chandlery here for an alternate manufacturer at less than half the price. See the link below for the model I use and recommend.
The coast guard will not approve your present set up. The portable fuel tank must not be stored inside your boat. It must be sealed and isolated from your cabin with adequate ventilation beside or below the tank. Since you don't have such an isolated area at the moment, you should have your tank sitting on the cockpit floor close to some cockpit drains. Gas fumes do not rise - they sink. Fumes escaping from the tank in your present storage area will flow rapidly down into the lower parts of your boat. Gas fumes are extremely difficult to remove and are highly explosive. One of these days - boom! The Day/Night 2000 is a good unit, but a little expensive. You can contact the chandlery here for an alternate manufacturer at less than half the price. See the link below for the model I use and recommend.
Hatch fan
I installed a day/night fan in my forward hatch, I wouldn't be without one. It's solar powered with a battery backup for night. It came with two blades, one to pull air in, one to draw air out, which is the one I installed. They do a very nice job of keeping good air flow through the cabin thereby also keeping odors at bay. Barring any issue with your fuel locker I would definately recommend one. There are different brands and sizes so shop for the price and model that fits your need.
I installed a day/night fan in my forward hatch, I wouldn't be without one. It's solar powered with a battery backup for night. It came with two blades, one to pull air in, one to draw air out, which is the one I installed. They do a very nice job of keeping good air flow through the cabin thereby also keeping odors at bay. Barring any issue with your fuel locker I would definately recommend one. There are different brands and sizes so shop for the price and model that fits your need.
- Status