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23-06-2018, 06:38
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Westbury, Long Island
Boat: 1993 Catalina 34
Posts: 130
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Installing a solar vent fan
I'm planning on installing a solar vent fan on the salon hatch. It's one of the clear type of hatches. The manufacturer warns about using a sealent with polysulfide compounds as they may damage the hatch.
I'd like to hear from someone who's installed one of these vents to learn what they used as a sealent. Thanks to all who reply.
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23-06-2018, 06:50
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Brazil
Boat: Custom Swedish Vindö 50 (35 ft)
Posts: 806
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
There are lots of sealants that are safe for acrylic- you just have to check the spec sheet. I've used Sika 295UV. Good stuff.
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23-06-2018, 12:28
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Westbury, Long Island
Boat: 1993 Catalina 34
Posts: 130
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Copacabana
There are lots of sealants that are safe for acrylic- you just have to check the spec sheet. I've used Sika 295UV. Good stuff.
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Thanks for the advice, Copacabana.
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23-06-2018, 13:50
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Martinique
Boat: Fortuna Island Spirit 40
Posts: 2,298
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
The fan will come with a gasket (I believe its neoprene). Our fan was installed with that gasket and there is no signs of deterioration even after 3 years (in a Lewmar acrylic hatch). It has never leaked even though its been through some REALLY SERIOUS rains. We used no other sealants.
Now as to the solar fan itself. I probably won't have the popular opinion, but I think they are a waste of money. Frankly I don't think they move enough air to do anything. Even when ours was new it didn't move enough air to make a tissue or toilet paper move when held up close. I have never been able to feel any amount of air movement from it (holding my hand up for instance). To me, its just an overpriced whirly gizmo.
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23-06-2018, 15:24
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: puɐןsuǝǝnb 'ʎɐʞɔɐɯ
Boat: Nantucket Island 33
Posts: 4,864
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
The solar fans do jack all for cooling the boat. They are effective at keeping air circulating in a closed up boat and help prevent mould and general dampness though.
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23-06-2018, 15:28
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Miami
Boat: Boatless
Posts: 1,578
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
And when you take a solid wave over the boat they leak.
__________________
Phil
"Remember, experience only means that you screw-up less often."
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23-06-2018, 15:45
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Martinique
Boat: Fortuna Island Spirit 40
Posts: 2,298
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reefmagnet
The solar fans do jack all for cooling the boat. They are effective at keeping air circulating in a closed up boat and help prevent mould and general dampness though.
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We think it did absolutely bubkiss when we put the boat up last hurricane season in Antigua. Of course hard to quantify, but I'm pretty sure it did nothing. They just don't move ANY air.
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23-06-2018, 16:02
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: puɐןsuǝǝnb 'ʎɐʞɔɐɯ
Boat: Nantucket Island 33
Posts: 4,864
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by travellerw
We think it did absolutely bubkiss when we put the boat up last hurricane season in Antigua. Of course hard to quantify, but I'm pretty sure it did nothing. They just don't move ANY air.
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I think they do, but they no doubt some would be more effective in some installations than in others. I would also suspect that when installed in certain locations, the venturi effect could possibly draw more air from the boat than the fan itself.
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24-06-2018, 08:27
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Medellin, Colombia
Boat: Gauntlet 12 ton
Posts: 23
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
We have one in the timber deckhead of our head which does not have any other external ventilation. It has always proved effective and NEVER leaks. You can definitely feel the air movement. I'd install another whenever the current one packs up - as they do because the solar panels don't last forever.
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24-06-2018, 08:37
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#10
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,306
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reefmagnet
I think they do, but they no doubt some would be more effective in some installations than in others. I would also suspect that when installed in certain locations, the venturi effect could possibly draw more air from the boat than the fan itself.
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They definitely do. For someone looking for cooling this isn't the answer but for ventilation they work well.
Recommended one to my son in law who had a serious problem with condensation with resulting mold and mildew on his power boat. One fan and the problem was completely cured.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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24-06-2018, 08:58
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Gulf Coast of FL
Boat: Pearson
Posts: 408
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
I recently removed my solar vent and replaced my cracked lexan hatch. I didnt reinstall due to leakage and no cooling ability, altho it moved some air, but in bad storms or waves it would leak, not around the silicon seal but through the vent.
__________________
Ken Z
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24-06-2018, 10:30
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Montreal, Qc/ Bahamas.
Boat: Beneteau, oceanis 423
Posts: 24
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Had one of those on the foward hatch (v- berth) and it leaked. Maybe it was a cheap one I don't know. They claimed it draws 900cfm.
Changed the fwd hatch last december.
__________________
PassePort III
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24-06-2018, 10:37
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BC
Boat: O'Day 40
Posts: 1,082
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Mine won't bring in enough air to cool things down but, if I use the exhaust fan supplied, it removes enough moist air from the ceiling area to be effective.
There is also a plastic sleeve that pretty much seals it from leaking when a wave breaks over the boat.
__________________
Trying to make new mistakes.
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24-06-2018, 11:17
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 7
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
A cheaters method...
For the past couple of seasons I have opened the hatch, placed a battery-operated workshop fan (rechargeable battery) over the opening and enjoyed the breeze. Suitable for a hot night...the battery dies around 3 am after the boat has been comfortably cooled.
I use the Ryobi model which is the predecessor to this
https://www.ryobitools.com/products/...lus-hybrid-fan
Downside: must close the hatch when it rains.
David
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24-06-2018, 14:12
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Boat: Beneteau First 235
Posts: 52
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Re: Installing a solar vent fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by travellerw
The fan will come with a gasket (I believe its neoprene). Our fan was installed with that gasket and there is no signs of deterioration even after 3 years (in a Lewmar acrylic hatch). It has never leaked even though its been through some REALLY SERIOUS rains. We used no other sealants.
Now as to the solar fan itself. I probably won't have the popular opinion, but I think they are a waste of money. Frankly I don't think they move enough air to do anything. Even when ours was new it didn't move enough air to make a tissue or toilet paper move when held up close. I have never been able to feel any amount of air movement from it (holding my hand up for instance). To me, its just an overpriced whirly gizmo.
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Are you sure you have it in the open position... That's when the inner white ring sleeve is pulled down into.the boat and about 3/4" of.the white ring is showing below the black outer housing. Also to increase air.flow remove the Mosquito screen plate. It is not necessary since they can't fly against the air.flow to get in. Works on our boat for sure.
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