Solar Powered Ventilators and Solar Powered Warning beacons

[sailingtim]

Hi,

Im new on this forum, so dont hurt me yet!

Has anyone used either of the above type of products. Read alot of hype lately on Solar powered ventilators for boats/yachts etc and have seen them for what I think is a very reasonable price on ebay. Just wondering has anyone used them, and what's the general opinion?
Also spotted a solar powered warning beacon on ebay - Seems like a very novel idea!

Thanks

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]

Im new on this forum, so dont hurt me yet!

[/ QUOTE ]

They will do, trust me.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking a question I was thinking of asking regarding the solar vents, just to get some air movement when the boat is locked down.

 

[Salty John]

The problem with solar powered ventilators is that they operate in daylight when they are only of marginal use. You need a ventilator to run at night when the temperature drops and condensation can form.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Not if you have one of these.

 

[David2452]

Had a solar ventilator on our last boat with battery back up, it worked great, only thing was, in really strong sun didn't half go round quick and was a bit noisy then. When in normal weather or at night on battery it was quiet. 4 years with it and not a glitch.

 

[Talbot]

Most people find that these solar vents die just after the guarantee runs out!

Alternative is to run a computer fan placed in the vent trunking - a very small trickle chage from a 5w solar panel will more than cope with the power used and also keep your battery happy.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]

Alternative is to run a computer fan placed in the vent trunking - a very small trickle chage from a 5w solar panel will more than cope with the power used and also keep your battery happy.


[/ QUOTE ] But won't work at night.

 

[Talbot]

yes it will - you connect the computer fan through your domestic battery, and use the trickle charger during daylight to cope with the 24 hr useage rate.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Like one of those mini solar panels sold to put on car dashboards?

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
Most people find that these solar vents die just after the guarantee runs out!

Alternative is to run a computer fan placed in the vent trunking - a very small trickle chage from a 5w solar panel will more than cope with the power used and also keep your battery happy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. We fitted two of the 'solar powered/battery for night time use', type in our forecabin and they were both bl&&dy useless packing up at 13 and 18 months old respectively. Never again, they are simply not designed for marine use!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

As you mention, we switched (no pun intended) to 80mm computer fans fited to bendy arms and they have been fine (in mostly full time cruising) for the last eight years. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Talbot]

Probably of that order, but I would need to check location of boat/panel also output, and power consumption of the fan to be 100% satisfied.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
but I would need to check location of boat/panel also output, and power consumption of the fan to be 100% satisfied.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a long way from Norway, but what time can you get here?