Solar fan???

[Steve91T]

I'm trying to keep the interior of my boat looking as good as it does. Unfortunately, it has to be kept on a trailer, with a cover. My goal is to let it dry out as much as possible before covering it, but it's going to be impossible to get it completely dry.

The marina sold me a couple of dehumidifiers that are a cup with some sort of water absorbing beads. I figured I'd use those, along with some circulating air, like a small fan.

Even a light breeze would probably help a lot, don't you think? The boat covers are specific for the boat, so they should breath a little.

I think a fan with the solar panel sitting on the swim platform would work pretty good. I don't want to spend $80, but this one looks pretty decent.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422029_200422029

Let me know if anyone else does this.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Solar fan???

Did you read the reviews??? Looks like about 2.5 hours is about max run time with no sun. Folks tend to think a solar panel is an endless source of power -- which it is during bright sunlight, but also those small panels output so little current that they are almost useless. The instructions apparently tell you to let the battery charge for two days before using so that's an indicator that this is a marginal system at best.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

Did you read the reviews??? Looks like about 2.5 hours is about max run time with no sun. Folks tend to think a solar panel is an endless source of power -- which it is during bright sunlight, but also those small panels output so little current that they are almost useless. The instructions apparently tell you to let the battery charge for two days before using so that's an indicator that this is a marginal system at best.

Only one review said that, so I took that with a grain of salt. Everyone else seemed to like it.

I guess you're right though, it would probably work for occasional use, but for continuous it wouldn't. What about a smaller fan with a larger solar panel? A small desk fan can wouldn't draw a whole lot, so it might last half of the night, then get going again during the day. If you think about it, the inside of a boat is really small, so it wouldn't take a whole lot to be effective.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

Let me ask this then, is circulating air important for a covered boat?

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Solar fan???

I was considering something similar. I was going to cut a piece of starboard or similar, mount the fan in the board, and prop it up where my transom door usually sits. That way the fan would be (theoretically) blowing the hot air out. I have a dark green mooring cover and things get pretty hot in the summer. I'd say it's worth a few bucks to experiment if it means less mildew and no more burned hands.

As for the run time without sun, I think it would be most important to be running while the sun was out, wouldn't it?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Solar fan???

Only one review said that, so I took that with a grain of salt. Everyone else seemed to like it.

I guess you're right though, it would probably work for occasional use, but for continuous it wouldn't. What about a smaller fan with a larger solar panel? A small desk fan can wouldn't draw a whole lot, so it might last half of the night, then get going again during the day. If you think about it, the inside of a boat is really small, so it wouldn't take a whole lot to be effective.

One guy had not even tried his yet but gave it an ok rating. hardly a good endorsement. The only one that provided any numbers was the one that I WOULD believe. All one needs to do is look at the panel output, battery capacity (AHr) and the motor current draw to determine how long it would run and how long it would take to charge the battery. I'm betting that unit has a 7 AHr battery (provides 1 amp for 7 hours). The fan likely draws at least 2 amps so that puts you at 2.5 - 3 hours max on the battery. The panel looks to be about a 5 watt unit which will produce about 1/2 amp. At that rate it takes 14 hours of bright sunshine to recharge the battery -- or more than likely about 18 - 20 hours. But it's your money. A better plan would be a DC fan from a computer. Draws much less than an amp and you could run for a week on your house battery.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

One guy had not even tried his yet but gave it an ok rating. hardly a good endorsement. The only one that provided any numbers was the one that I WOULD believe. All one needs to do is look at the panel output, battery capacity (AHr) and the motor current draw to determine how long it would run and how long it would take to charge the battery. I'm betting that unit has a 7 AHr battery (provides 1 amp for 7 hours). The fan likely draws at least 2 amps so that puts you at 2.5 - 3 hours max on the battery. The panel looks to be about a 5 watt unit which will produce about 1/2 amp. At that rate it takes 14 hours of bright sunshine to recharge the battery -- or more than likely about 18 - 20 hours. But it's your money. A better plan would be a DC fan from a computer. Draws much less than an amp and you could run for a week on your house battery.

I was just using that one as an example. The CPU fan is a pretty good idea.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Solar fan???

If you have snap on covers, the many small gaps may let enough air blow under it to keep it ventilated.

If you have a full stem to stern cover, all you need to do is break the seal at a few spots and just let the breeze do its job.
A few pieces of foam at strategic locations should do the trick.

If the cover moves slightly up and down in the wind, it is breathing already.
In any case climb inside with the cover on and see just how well it actually seals up.
You may have a non-issue.

I would not recommend running a fan all night.
The night air tends to be very moist.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Solar fan???

Here you go.


http://bilgewizard.com/bilge.php


http://bilgewizard.com/faq.php

http://bilgewizard.com/product.php


They recommend running it off a solar panel, so it is off at night, so it doesn't draw damp night air into the hull.
Or you can use the ac adaptor on an appliance/lamp timer.
3rd best option is to run it 24/7

 

[dan t.]

Re: Solar fan???

Just bought one of these,havent installed it yet but it seems to move a lot of air,Nicrovent day/night plus www.marinco.com

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

That bilge wizard is a great idea. But it also got me thinking, why can't you just buy the solar panel and wire it up to the blower that's already installed on the boat?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Solar fan???

That bilge wizard is a great idea. But it also got me thinking, why can't you just buy the solar panel and wire it up to the blower that's already installed on the boat?

The bilge blower draw over 5 amps (100+ Watts) , so you would need a pretty big panel to power it.
But I like your way of thinking.
A smaller fan mounted at one of the other vent ports could work.
Humid air is lighter than dry air. (That is why clouds are in the sky and not Fog on the ground.)
So it is better to vent from the top instead of using the bilge blower that draws heavy fuel fumes from the bottom.

You must have snap on covers because my blower exhaust would be under the cover.

The idea is to circulate a little air to dry out the boat and remove any residual humidity.
Once the interior is dry there is no longer a need to keep moving a lot of air.
A breathable cover is actually a better option than 100% sealed plastic shrink wrap if there is any water in the boat.
And there is Always a little water in the boat!

"Geek Central" thinks a Humidity Data Logger under the cover would let you know if you even have a problem with humidity or not.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

OK, how about another question. Just went to the boat to install a radio. It's mid 80's, at 1pm. I pulled the cover back and the inside was so hot that it was burning my feet. Screaming hot. Do you think a small fan would help to keep temps under control?

I just hate having my boat sitting outside. I guess that's why I'm trying to come up with a way to protect it as much as possible.

 

[rschap1]

Re: Solar fan???

If look for something cheap...
my neighbor runs a shrink wrap business and uses these when wrapping.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|5948|296194|296541&id=888372

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Solar fan???

Humid air is lighter than dry air.

Would you like a mulligan on that one?

Get a sunbrella cover. They breathe well. Really no moisture issues depending on climate.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Solar fan???

I have a computer cooling fan hooked to a 5W solar panel by the controls in my houseboat.
Pretty simple system, if its sunny, its probably warm, and if its warm, I want a fan on me.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

I have a computer cooling fan hooked to a 5W solar panel by the controls in my houseboat.
Pretty simple system, if its sunny, its probably warm, and if its warm, I want a fan on me.

How much and how good does it work?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Solar fan???

I have a computer cooling fan hooked to a 5W solar panel by the controls in my houseboat.
Pretty simple system, if its sunny, its probably warm, and if its warm, I want a fan on me.

Pretty sure thats what the bilge wizard is.

If I kept my boats covered, or outside, I would definitely try one. They are cheap enough.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Solar fan???

About $30 for the solar panel, and I swiped the fan from an old computer that was being junked.

Volkswagen used to put small solar panels in the cars coming off the boats, they may still, and if you know someone at a dealership, you might be able to score a panel or two for free.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Solar fan???

I went ahead and purchased the bilge wizard. Yesterday, for example, I couldn't get the boat dry without letting it sit in the rain for a couple of days uncovered, so I had to cover it partially wet. And because the boat is outside at a storage unit on the trailer, I can't just uncover it while it dries out.

I think the wizard will really help in this case. I'm going to prop open the ski locker while it's under the cover to help with airflow. I'll let you guys know how it works.