Solar vent continuous running

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extravert

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I've got one of those solar vents, a small extractor fan powered from an integral solar panel. It seems to run on the greyest of days, so if left on continuously will be running for something like 2000 hours a year. Will it take this treatment, or is this consigning it to an early grave with worn bearings? Anyone left one running continuously?

<hr width=100% size=1>Adventures of the VAT unpaid <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.xrayted.fsnet.co.uk>Teddy Bear Boat</A>
 
Until very recently mine has been in situ for 18 years, still running OK. Only problem is that they rotate so slowly that they don't move any air. I replaced mine with a conventional mushroom ventilator but only because I had to destroy the old one when getting it off to carry out other work. Compared with, say, a masthead wind instrument, I guess its load and speed are very much lower.

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Mine's given up this year. Doesn't work thro the winter because I have tg covered over but otherwise it's on continuously and has been for ten years. It seems almost to want to run as though it's not got enough power to overcome a bit of uneven resistance.

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My galley and main saloon ones certainly move quite a lot of air/smoke on a sunny day so much they set the smoke alarm off in seconds when the sausages are left too long in pan.

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Mine never worked at all so took it out and dumped it but did notice the solar panel bit was broken though. I wouldn't bother with thwm again

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... :-) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 
Quite agree with you mine stopped running last month.Only lasted since boat was built.A measly 20 years wot a swizz,

<hr width=100% size=1>My little Princess/forums/images/icons/laugh.gifthe 33 of course.Shame its not just a bit bigger.
 
Are thes things any good when they do spin round?

depends whether you want a change of air or to reduce condensation. If the latter they are likely to make icondesation worse since they suck in warmer (and moist air) during daylight hours and then trap it there at night time when the air should be cooler (and therefore able to hold less moisture). To work best they should be storing up charge so they can work in the dark.

Fortunately most boats (even motorised ones) are surrounded most of the time by another free form of energy - the wind. A dorade vent or venturi style one will work until it falls apart!

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Venturii Ventilators?

Does anybody know of any pictures?

I've never heard of this type. I can imagine a shape that'd work in all directions with no moving parts though, like two plates placed with their bases together. Do they work well? Are they noisy (any organ pipe effects?)? Clever idea if they work well.

Regards

Richard


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I've got the type with the battery in it, so it runs all night as well we have it in the heads compartment, and if it ever stops normally because i'vr covered it up the heads get smelly V quick, its been fitted for four years, runs all the time and is great...keith

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