Solar Vents, Sunsei vs Nicro vs Nicro Combo

thataway · Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

Certainly some excellent discussions. The "Endlass Breeze" which is a 3 speed RV fan is excellent for 12 volt use. Almost as good is the $15 or less WalMart 8 D battery fan--it has two speeds and you can make a 12 volt adaptor for it. Really no reason for the large 110 volt fans.

We use two of the small Hella Fans on the Windshield. We also have a large Hella /Fan over the Wallas--with these fans, one gets very good air flow. When we were cruising our Cal 46 in Alaska, we ran into these condensation problems (already had several Nico vents on Dorade boxes).
We lined all of the hull with "Fish blanket" This was in the hardwarestores for about $20 a 4 `x 8 foot sheet. Seemed to be a PVC foam 1/2 to 5/8" thick. Surface was smooth--and used between layers of fish and ice in the boats. This basically solved the problems. If necessary we even covered the windows with this (we had circulating hot water heat, with fresh air and external exhaust on the diesel fired boiler). The Wallas is good, because it exhaust externally, and keeps dryer than propane.

I can not find "fish Blanket" in Pensacola (I guess the fish are warm enough)--but Wal Mart has back packing insullating pads which are relitative similar and only slightly more expensive--they are green, so not so good a finish. We are gluing this in place with liquid nails (as we did with the fish blanket) and covering with a headliner material. This will help both the cold/condensation issue--and the heat on the hull in the summer. The boats are much more comfortable if insullated.

For a dehumidifier--consider "Mighty Dri"--a small boat compresser dehumidifier--a bit pricey, but works better and is marine grade--in comparison to the Sears and Lowes's units.

Redƒox · Guest

Ah geze, I suppose I better post here to--- so I don't get throwed-out-on-my-ear... Surprised

John. Far as the ventilator goes; it may help a minute amount with condensation, but
the primary thing I like it for is to keep the cabin air from going stale. (I suppose that also helps with mildew). To some it may not worth cutting a huge hole for, but for me I would do it
again, mostly for reasons of sitting a while. (in the slip or on the trailer) I think if you have carpet, it is all the more a necessity.

About the carpet lining: It does completely eliminate the dripping in the cabin, but it also collects a lot of moisture. It all depends a lot on the humidity in the air as well. (!!) I have done well at keeping black mold at bay, by drying the cabin out with a big fan (door wide open) when I get home from winter --and even some summer-- trips. One winter trip in the PW Sound in mid February (11 days strait) was a really good test for just the carpet lining alone, (with no insulation under it). Back when I did my cabin, I did not know about them fancy ceramic coating insulations, otherwise if I would have done it that way. I would be willing to bet there would be almost no moisture in the carpet.
In temps about freezing and well below freezing at night: The 5th day of the trip, there was noticeable moisture in the carpet, and getting worse. Never to the point of showing ice, but you could tell there was definitely a time limit before things went bad. Mad

One thing you can do to prevent mold (besides getting a good ozone machine to shock-treat the cabin) is to remove all berth cushions, before putting the boat away (!) also getting every thing away from the lining that is trapping moisture. I think if you can be consistent with that, you will find many good years of service out of carpet lining alone, without having to dump a lot more time and money into prepping with the spray-on insulations. If you do have the dough though... I would definitely do both! One does not have to go on with carpet, but it sure makes the boat acoustics better! (Crank up them tunes mon). lol Note

Oh, the ventilator does not exhaust much on the short days, (solar powered) Hot

but it is always providing some ventilation, running or not.

Now, I gotta get.... poof
Bat

catdogcat · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:52 pm Post subject:

Whats up John S? I live in Soldotna. Hope to see you out sometime. Question, how do these things mount. Do you have to cut a circle out of your roof or hatch?

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject:

Years ago I had a 22' cabin cruiser that had moisture problems...and used a nicro solar vent....it worked super...and one of the nice things is that you can reverse the blades so it will either pull air in or push air out.... In California I never had any problems with not enough sun....it really does not take much...even cloudy days would make it run.

What I use to dry a boat in the morning if it is damp is a clay flower pot upside down on the stove.... on the lowest setting...it will get cherry red and work like the best heater you ever saw... all for about 59 cents.
(I have a propane stove)

Joel
SEA3PO

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:06 pm Post subject:

When my boat is in storage, and to prevent mildew problems I just leave a bare lamp bulb on... (old table lamp) about 100 watts.....that dries it fine and prevents mildew... also kinda cool to look out and see da lights on.

Joel
SEA3PO

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:08 pm Post subject:

I know...."lights on no buddy home."
I had to say that before Roger did...

Joel
SEA3PO

John S · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:02 pm Post subject:

Sure appreciate all the advice guys. The carpet is certainly an interesting possibility.

CatDogCat, I've seen the vents installed in both the roof and hatches. We are going to install ours in our forward hatch, I think. I just cleared the 1 1/2 ft of snow off the tarp covering the cockpit area yesterday, just so I could get inside, hopefully you have a roof over yours. We run out of Homer, Whittier, and Seward, so I'm sure we'll run in to you eventually.

John