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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

solar vent install

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Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/23/2014 : 08:39:23

I read about other installs in the archives but still worried about putting a BIG hole in my boat. I think I will feel better about this if I just install it in the forward hatch. Put it dead center or back toward the hinge? I am planning to silicone seal it and 4 screw it on the hatch after a template cutout of 4.5". I am also worried about the curvature of the hatch mounting surface. Comments/critique appreciated. The instructions suck!
Chief

COMPASS ROSE C250WK
Tall Mast, Wing keel
PORT CHIEF, Bodega Bay Ca.
IE,EE,FCC lic #1890

Edited by - Chief RA on 05/23/2014 08:42:35

mdidomenico
1st Mate

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71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 12:36:10

I would also be interested in any insight to this one. I was planning to put a Nicro solar fan on my boat in the near future. Any insight would be helpful

thanks

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 14:25:37

If the body of the solar vent is plastic, Don't use plain silicon. Use BoatLIFE Lifeseal to bed it to the fiberglass. Regular silicon doesn't have any adhesive property's and more than likely it will leak down the road. That said my 2 cents is that most people that I see that have the solar vents when asked if they are still working they say No. I'm not knocking them but I never installed one for that reason.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 15:08:33

Scott, you bring up a good point.
I installed my 4" NicroVent "Day/Night Plus" model dead center in the forward hatch 3 years ago. Cut the hole with my saber-saw. Bedded it in with polysulfide and it does not leak. The plastic body has enough give that it conforms to the slight curvature of the hatch. Physical installation was fine. It did the job too - kept the humidity down to ambient inside the boat.

Unfortunately it only worked for about 1 year. In my case, the root cause for the failure was the motor bearings. At first, the fan spun effortlessly. Over time however the bearings began to increase in resistance. Overcoming this resistance demanded more power than the battery and solar panel could deliver. Overwhelmed the power budget.

Some folks have written or called the company and generally they will provide a replacement motor, either for a price or gratis, depending on the age of the unit. It's a little tricky replacing the motor - the wires are thin (#24 GA) and short. It's a good idea to change the C-cell NiMH battery when you change the motor.

IMHO, I think the unit will do the same a year after you replace the motor, since there's no way to lubricate it short of pulling it apart. Instead of a solar powered 1.2VDC/30 mA motor, I'd advise the Two Speed 12VDC model that runs off the house battery. This would involve wiring be part of the installation, but you'd end up with a more reliable system.

And it moves more air. The Day/Night Plus moves 600 cu ft per hour while the Two Speed moves 1500 or 2000 cu ft.

Edited by - on

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 16:34:37

You are scaring me even more but this is what I must hear before I cut a BIG hole in my hatch! I really like you guys input and I think your attitude and desire to help is great! It also is a big help to know you know my boat configuration well. Keep it coming, I am a big boy! Chief

Edited by - Chief RA on 05/23/2014 16:43:24

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 17:05:40

I think that a vent, especially a powered vent, is a must for boats that live in a location where ambient relative humidity averages 50% or less. This would likely exclude the tropics, the deep south or the Pacific NW.

You could buy the solar vent and replace it every other year. once you have the hole, its a simple matter to replace the guts, you just have to wait for the WestMarine sale. You could also opt for a 12VDC hardwired fan mounted against the inside of the slotted crib boards (H2O Cool makes a nice one). Or place an active or passive vent or two between the cockpit and the quarterberth or fender locker (below the cockpit seats). That would work well provided it was flush mounted not to interfere with your ankles or calves.
This location may especially tend to dry out the bilge or swing keel areas where moisture collects. Question is whether to run the fan(s) continuously which could strain your battery or install a switch. If you could install a series resistor to control fan speed and current draw to < 100 mA, a 15-20W solar panel would offset the current draw.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 19:03:30

Off topic, but I heard of a great idea today from another boater on Lake Martin while my brother-in-law was gassing up at a marina. question revolved around preventing mildew on the seat covers of their pontoon boats when not in use and covered up in the slip. The idea was to place a clean bucket of charcoal on the floor under the boat cover. The charcoal acts a lot like the Damp Rid product, absorbing moisture from the air. I wonder if that would work inside a C-25 or 250?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 19:08:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 Off topic, but I heard of a great idea today from another boater on Lake Martin while my brother-in-law was gassing up at a marina. question revolved around preventing mildew on the seat covers of their pontoon boats when not in use and covered up in the slip. The idea was to place a clean bucket of charcoal on the floor under the boat cover. The charcoal acts a lot like the Damp Rid product, absorbing moisture from the air. I wonder if that would work inside a C-25 or 250?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes it will and the boat will smell fresh.

A guy named Chip Ford has a website about his C22 - Chip Ahoy. He's used this method over the winter months and says it works well.

Just be careful not to spill it or you will never get the gel coat clean.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/23/2014 19:09:01

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2014 : 20:50:39

I have the same bag of charcoal that I have used for probably 5 years now and they work great. Here in N. Cal the temps are so high and dry that after sitting all summer in the sun you can reuse the charcoal over and over. This is not that far off subject. Chief

Edited by - Chief RA on 05/23/2014 20:51:34

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2014 : 03:06:01

We use Damp Rid in the RV when stored over winter. It seems to work. I purchased some for the boat to try yesterday. Don't know if it will be enough to keep the boat dry. If you have 110V power available and keep your battery maintainer plugged in I would use a 12V fan.

http://www.amazon.com/DampRid-FG83K-Hanging-Moisture-Absorber/dp/B001J6O6KE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400925626&sr=8-3&keywords=damp+rid+moisture+absorber

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2014 : 06:14:03

I installed the 3" version directly over the head area. It's been on the boat almost ten years. I have had to replace the battery a couple of times. Otherwise no problems.

On the other hand, if you read the reviews, it seems the quality of the product has declined. Particularly, the fan motor, it seems to not last as long. I found a company called Sundance Solar that sells a replacement motor for about nine bucks.

Sometimes I wish I would have not installed it. Once I fixed the leaking windows and other leaks, the boat stays fairly dry inside.

I did buy a new 4" SS model to install on the new boat. This time I will install it in one of the acrylic hatches. WM offered an extra 2 year warranty for 13 dollars so I'm good to go for at least four years.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2014 : 08:54:25

I installed 4" version directly above the head - I had no issue with curvature. This is second year and it's working fine. I originally planned to install it on the hatch as I had the same concern as all above. However, we often lay down on the bow and it would be rather uncomfortable with the fan digging into your back. :-)

Overall I'm happy with the fan and location.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2014 : 06:27:09

I installed mine over the head, and the first one I bought was noisy. I called the company and they sent me another one that has worked fine for several years now. Sometimes I hafta fiddle with the fan blade to keep it quiet after I shut it on or off.

Edited by - redeye on 05/27/2014 10:33:10

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 11:35:36

Thanks for all of your response. I will put it in the hatch! Chief

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 14:52:19

Measure twice and cut once :)

Edited by - on

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 16:02:51

Tom it looks like you may not run over and give me a hand. N. Carolina is a bit far from Cal.! Measured out the Autohelm install today but since my boat isn't sitting level I chickened out when it was time to drill! Maybe tomorrow, or not! I've measured that sucker at least 5 times. I need to go sailing and here I am up on the hard doing projects! Chief

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