Solar powered vent for heads

I used to have one like that in my forehatch, dont think it was that good, i changed my hatch and chucked the whole lot in the skip.
 
I have one fitted above the heads where it has a little protection from green water coming over. Would never fit one on a forehatch as previous poster has as they will let water in if it comes over the top. Mine extracts air from the heads which is a blessing for Mrs CR especially if I've been in there after one of my curries. (As we all know ladies' toilet times smell only of crushed roses!)

Having said that, I am quite happy with it. It sits there and whirs away all day under its own power, it's quiet and every couple of years I take it apart to clean the spindle and relubricate. Been up there for seven years now without a problem.

Depending on location, a dorade type vent might be more suitable for what you want.

Good luck whatever.

Chas
 
My wooden forehatch leaked and was rotting around the edges, the solar powered fan was watertight even after a longish beat.

Having said that it wasnt,imo worth salvaging when i binned the old forehatch and made a nice new wooden one.

It used to spin away all day but worked hard to remove smoke from a snuffed out candle right under the thing.

But some people love em.
 
They have been discussed on here several times.

reports on their effectiveness vary enormously
 
Hi Lisa,

I had a pair in the foredeck and they worked very well keeping the boat fresh for the winter, then we took a wave over the bows.
First problem was the bucket full of water in the fore cabin, quickly followed by a seized fan.

I think they are designed for caravans where the rain comes down vertically.

I now have a computer fan under a mushroom vent that is powered by a 10 watt solar panel. You need to be careful where you put your fingers!
 
I have a Plastimo vent - simple funnel that fits on to a threaded deskc fitting. Its not the posh dorade vent but it has a blanking plate that replaces the funnel for when you are sailing so breaking waves are not a problem. it turns to face the wind and provides amazing ventilation in my heads - much better than the solar vent from the saloon to the cockpit.

have a look here
http://www.marinemegastore.com/product-VENT-COMPL--PLA_17624.htm
 
We have 2. One for the heads and one for the aft cabin, both of which vent below the sprayhood. Replaced them after 5 years, when bearings packed up. Obviously need sunlight to work, so not 24/7.
David.
 
I fitted a bilge blower in the cupboard in the heads, exhausting into the anchor locker. It has a simple push switch, and a little timer circuit (Maplin) which switches it off after 5 minutes. Been working fine for many years.
 
ChattingLil said:
Does anyone have opinion on whether this would be a good buy, or should I put the money towards a more-expensive version?

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/boat...ilspeed-marine/solar-vent-24-hour367401.bhtml
Click to expand...

We fitted the same model in the main heads, works tirelessly day and night. Effective peice of kit. Had a similar one in the last boat that lasted 3 years and was working fine when we sold. Sometimes in the depths of winter it wouldn't charge up enough in the day to run all night.
 
We had a sporty ride yesterday... and the B####y fan vents leaked.. notmthe same model as yours but I would think carefully about one if it has to be mounted in a place where the odd bit of water will wash over it..

I am now looking to block mine up !!
 
Tomahawk said:
I am now looking to block mine up !!
Click to expand...

be careful with blocking off vents - I replaced the forehatch but decided not to cut a vent in (as had been there previously) as I couldn't bear the thought of cutting a hole in a £350 Lewmar hatch. The following weekend I arrived at the boat to find the cabin full of mould; I immediately cut in a solar powered vent which has worked fine for five years no problem. It is a closeable vent so no leaks when greenies are landing on the foredeck.
 
The solar ones with batteries work 24/7, but I've not found them particularly effective at removing smells. They are probably OK for providing some ventilation when laid up over winter, but I'm not convinced they are cost-effective.

I fitting a small one in the heads and found it noisy: continual background whirring. I wouldn't fit another.
 
I had a day + night solar vent - different model, don't think it's available now - above my boats' fuel tank, the salesman swore it was safe from producing sparks but he was a liar and I'm lucky not to be in orbit !

The thing only lasted 12.01 months.

Another snag I found with solar vents is that the bearings for the fans are cheap and nasty spindles which rapidly wear out, producing a rumble which resonates throughout the boat !

E.C.Smith who make the well known 'tannoy' cents used on boats a lot, also do other models, one closeable in heavy weather, one solar ( day only I think ) - if they make a closeable one with solar power it might be worth considering, otherwise I'd go for a closeable tannoy vent or a dorade type which can be completely sealed off with a blanking cap in heavy weather.

Dorade boxes can theoretically get kicked off, leaving a big hole in the deck / cabin top unless one has the blanking cap in a safe place, some posh boats put a stainless handrail over the top to protect them; handy and looks great but pricey !

Pic; 'Tannoy' vent b E.C.Smith, closeable against waves; it also allows a little light in.

silentrunnninglayout058-1.jpg
 
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Bought boat 2 years ago second hand with solar vent in heads. Did not work, Moor seized due to bad manufacture causing water ingress.
Fitted 12 volt fan from PC power supply( perfect fit!) wired into the lighting circuit, which means that it is on the whole time when we are on the boat. The fan is several times bigger than the one taken out, and it shifts a high volume of air.
In summary, these small solar fans probably dont shift the volumes of air to make them effective. That said the original solar panel in the solar vent still works
 
My boat had the ECS solarvent (as in Seajet's photo) fitted from new - complete waste of time! Runs fairly slowly when new and they last about 18-24 months then stop working. I have replaced the working bit three times. The clear plastic bit yellows with UV and reduces the light getting to the solar cell which doesn't help either. The whole assembly is watertight which is in its favour. ECS are pretty hopless with back-up too. I'm on the lookout for an alternative if you find one that works let me know.
I have seen a M29 with a small opening light in the head which may be the solution.
 
We have one in the heads, the second in 5 years.
The battery died and it was easier to buy a new one than try to get a replacement battery. Also we bought it in the Netherlands so taking it back under warranty was going to be a pain.
It was installed on the insistence of the other half and co-owner. She thinks it works and is therefore happy. She is happy ergo I am happy and in peace.

Are they worth it?
I you discount the peace premium, I am not sure.

Does it let in water?
Only when there is green water all over the foredeck. At this point we usually have other things to worry about.

Might think about a 12v powered vent next time - Anybody seen one?
 
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