Fans

[JusDreaming]

I am looking to replace some fans around the boat as they have began to die. I was very surprised to see the prices We currently have "Hella" and they have served us well, but the best price I can find is $60.00!!! Are they as different as they claim?

[Pblais]

I've had Hella fans on two boats. Both boats are now 20 years old and they all still work (2 per boat). Just what is that worth? I have another (can't recall the brand) that has a switch that makes the fan oscillate. The Hella won't do that. If I can track it down i'll re post it. It is more noise than a Hella but it pushes air.

Fans that work suddenly become unnoticed unless they don't. Yes, $60 is a lot for a 12 volt fan but what is it won't?

OK, my whole retirement fund is 100% invested in Hella and they pay me to work here (big bucks too). I've come clean but the things still blow. I'm sure you can find something else cheaper that will fail in the worst hot anchorage on the planet (bet on it). Anything electrical that can pass that 20 year test in salt air can't be that overpriced. You can even stick your finger in the blades and not have it chopped off (done that). I can send a photo to prove they are all still there (all 11 plus the webbing).

They really don't appear to be much but they do work as expected. My guess is if you take the motors apart you'll fnd some special things most don't have. They are light and don't make a lot of noise vs the air they move. It's just a flat out good fan. Suck it up and buy two. One for the berth and one for the galley (cooks count too). I add a solar powered vent over the stove too (they cost more). Here in the summer it's hot cooking dinner. Suck up to the cook and bring extra rum but turn on the fan!

[Beausoleil]

Originally Posted by Pblais

...
OK, my whole retirement fund is 100% invested in Hella and they pay me to work here (big bucks too).

After Enron, Chrysler and GM, you're still 100% invested in a single company? I made that mistake years ago - never again! Diversify!!! Just kidding a bit...

We have four one year old Hella fans, and ones one the blink. They basically run 24 hours a day when it's warm. I need to get around to verifying I still have 12 volts getting to them...

[s/vfootloose]

try the Caframo fan Home Depot 24.95 Worst Marine 50.00

[cabo_sailor]

I echo s/vfootloose,

We have 4 on our boat, relatively quiet, lots of air, and over 10 years w/o problem. Here is their website:

Caframo- Innovation and Excellence

Shop around for best price.

Rich

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

I echo s/vfootloose, [Caframo Fans]

We have 4 on our boat, relatively quiet, lots of air, and over 10 years w/o problem. Here is their website:

Caframo- Innovation and Excellence

Shop around for best price.

Rich

How much is "lots" of air.
They don't say.
Funny, seeing this is THE specification of interest on a fan.

[s/vfootloose]

maybe the same as " High Air Capacity" the term Hella uses

[skipmac]

One of my crew, back when I delivered charter boats, came up with a great device. Picked up a cheap 120V AC floor fan and made a plastic housing for it so it fit into the forward hatch. Hooked up a small inverter and set the fan to blow up and out of the hatch. If you have hatches or vents over the bunks or any other area you want to cool open these and close off any other hatches. Sucks in a great breeze even on very low speed setting. Seemed to draw little power but as this was years ago cannot verify the power draw.

Have not looked but wonder if there are 12 V floor fans that would do the same thing?

[Mule]

I heard of rock band groupies and I have heard of various ball team fans, but I did not know you could have boat fans, nor did I know they died off, either they are very old or being a boat fan is really hard on a person.

To be so insensitive to dying fans just seems, well, cruel.

[skipmac]

Did a little internet research and found Fan-Tastic 14" floor fan. $49.99 on campingworld.com.

Think I will try one out and report back on how it works.

[Sunspot Baby]

I installed some Hellas in 2001 when we bought the boat. Still running great.

George

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by GordMay

How much is "lots" of air.
They don't say.
Funny, seeing this is THE specification of interest on a fan.

Well Gord, my friend, (at least I hope so),

Lots of air in this case means as much as the Hellas output. Before I had these I bought into the stuff that Practical Sailor was pushing and put the Hellas on board. At first they were great but over time they became noisier and finally quit after a few years. Not wanting to spend that kind of money again I bought the Caframo and found that for about the same output and very little, if any more noise, they did just as good a job and for less money.

This began my disenchantment with Practical Sailor, but that's another thread.

Rich

[JayH]

Hellas are reliable fans, but I find them noisy. I replaced my old ones with Caframo Siroccos and have been very happy. WM had them on sale for $80 at the time. Three speeds, quiet, and a built-in timer for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours so the fan doesn't run all night. Only downside worth mentioning might be the blue LED.

[forsailbyowner]

We've been using o2cool fans purchased at office depot for $10. They were sold to be used with d cells ,but there's 8 so it adds up to 12v. Low power draw, good air movement quiet

[jdoe71]

+1 for the Caframo Sirocco. Lots of air in this case means we rarely use anything higher than low speed. It uses nothing for power as well, probably around .3 amp. Side benefit - it is a great source of white noise to help drown out the knuckle draggers who insist on making the world a noisy place.