Fans

[farotherside]

Hey,

We're headed for the tropics very soon, and we are in a wooden boat with no AC. We want to install the best 12v fans possible in our berths and galley - cost isn't as big an issue as reliability, noise, airflow, irritation factor, etc.

What fans do you have? Do you like them? Do you wish you'd bought something else instead?

Thanks in advance!

[Vasco]

I've found the Hellas to be very good.

[Bash]

I used the Hellas on my previous boat, but switched to Calframo Siroccos on the current boat.

Would never go back. The Siroccos are a bit pricier, but worth every penny. Far more quiet, and they have internal timers. And the three year warranty has worked out well for us.

[Jon Neely]

We use the Hellas, just mind your fingers when adjusting the angle

[Sailagain]

A third vote for Hellas. Yeah watch the fingers!!! : )

[AnchorageGuy]

We can't get a Hella to last more than a year when used continuously while cruising. They get very noisy very fast and they ain't cheap. We use the Caframos and they run almost every day and almost all day. They last us for years and the big plus is that they only run at about 1/2 amp. They also put out five times the amount of air that the Hellas do. We only have one Hella left on board and it is on its last leg. Chuck

[farotherside]

Originally Posted by Bash

I used the Hellas on my previous boat, but switched to Calframo Siroccos on the current boat.

Would never go back. The Siroccos are a bit pricier, but worth every penny. Far more quiet, and they have internal timers. And the three year warranty has worked out well for us.

We looked at the Caframo Sirroccos, but were put off by the fact that they've got built-in blue LED's, which in a dark berth at night is something we'd find very annoying.

Do you find you use the timers much? Worth the extra $50 per fan for that feature?

How do you find the Sirroccos as compared to, say, the Bora, or the "Ultimate Model 757"?

[hogesinwa]

Just about to replace our 3 Hellas with 3 x Caframo - the one with no guard on it. Blades replaceable, move air well and quiet. Hellas are very noisy on our boat. The cheap no-guard Caframo was highly recommended by several on another forum which made us go look and decide.

[zeehag]

roflmao...i sailed to tropical kinds of climates and i have had fans and i have had no fans. now i gave in and had to purchase air conditioning. i have an 02cool fanb which is 12v, battery an d120 v fan, and a standard floor fan and a nice , glorious air conditioner. i use the shore power for the air and floor fan and only use the 12 v fan during lightning storms, when i have all else turned off.
brand name doesnt matter. walmart fans for 9.99 each last 3 months. thenye get a new one.

[svcambria]

The no-guard 12V, half amp fan:

Caframo - Ecofans, specialty fans and heaters, overhead stirrers

Had them for eleven years so far, no motor problems even tho some run continuously all summer; blades last two to four years, then pull off and push on replacement blades (about $5 each).

Michael

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by svcambria

The no-guard 12V, half amp fan:

Caframo - Ecofans, specialty fans and heaters, overhead stirrers

Had them for eleven years so far, no motor problems even tho some run continuously all summer; blades last two to four years, then pull off and push on replacement blades (about $5 each).

Michael

I'm convinced. Replacing my noisy Hellas ASAP.

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by svcambria

The no-guard 12V, half amp fan:

Caframo - Ecofans, specialty fans and heaters, overhead stirrers

Had them for eleven years so far, no motor problems even tho some run continuously all summer; blades last two to four years, then pull off and push on replacement blades (about $5 each).

Michael

+1 for these. Installed last winter been running all summer on Chesapeake bay. Quiet, low amp draw and move lots of air.

[farotherside]

Bought two Caframo 757's... I guess we have a different idea of what "quiet" means, though if these are some of the quietest I definitely don't want any louder fans on board!

I'm going to try mounting them through a chunk of closed-cell foam to see if I can isolate the base from the ceiling a little more. Otherwise pretty happy; the amount of air moved as compared to current drawn is a very nice ratio!

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by drew23

Bought two Caframo 757's... I guess we have a different idea of what "quiet" means, though if these are some of the quietest I definitely don't want any louder fans on board!

I'm going to try mounting them through a chunk of closed-cell foam to see if I can isolate the base from the ceiling a little more. Otherwise pretty happy; the amount of air moved as compared to current drawn is a very nice ratio!

I did have one that I mounted on a thin section of headliner that would resonate. I re mounted it to a more solid place and it was as quiet as the others. The local WM in Annapolis has a display with several caframos and hellas. You can turn each one on and hear and feel for yourself but Im sold...

[AnchorageGuy]

With the Carframo you need to adjust the nut inside the base until the vibration stops when the fan is running but you can still turn it on the base. Chuck