Solar vent installation on CD 28

[Wayne Grenier]

FYI-a roto-zip is an excellent tool to cut holes in plex-fiberglass or whatever-you can make whatever size hole you wnat-

[Rebinva]

I returned it and traded it in on the 3" as Cathy suggested. While I would really like the additional volume of ventilation, it appeared a very close fit once all was considered. I'll install the 3" the next time I get down to the boat, maybe a couple of weeks.

Thanks again to all for their tips and help. More is welcome.

[Cathy Monaghan]

UHOH! Hope you didn't already drill the hole. The hole for the 3" vent is smaller than the hole required for the 4" vent.


-Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Rebinva]

checked to see how the 4 fit, not drilled any holes. The 4 requires a 4 3/4 inch hole and the 3 requires a 3 3/4 inch hole.

[Mike Raehl]

Warren,
I installed the Nicro 3" with exhaust fan in my Dorade box in place of the plastic cowling and plugged the Dorade box drain hole with two corks. Of course, the Dorade box is mounted over the head so exhausting air seemed like the best alternative. This arrangement works well with a significant improvement in cabin air quality and much less "boat order" when we open the boat after an extended absence.

The dead air in the vee berth is still noticeable. Given the earlier advice in this thread, I may bite the drill bit and move the Nicro vent to the forward hatch. Better yet, get a second exhaust vent but then I might have to add an air make-up vent to one of the hatch boards.

[Warren Kaplan]

Mike,

I've pretty well decided to put the solar vent in the Bomar hatch over the vee berth. I'll try it in exhaust mode first and then later I'll try it in intake mode and see which I like better.

The unit comes with 2 props. The exhaust prop is already installed. But all I have to do is pull the exhaust prop off the shaft and push on the intake prop and I'm in business. Its as simple as that and should take all of about 30 seconds to do. The access to the prop is right there. Nothing to take apart and put back together again.

I'm just waiting for my 3-3/4" hole saw to arrive (ordered online..as Ace, Home Depot and 2 other hardware stores didn't have it) and then I'll install the thing within the next two weeks.

[Rebinva]

I am looking at Amazon, but I am not sure of the quality of the saw.

[Warren Kaplan]

I in fact got it on Amazon. I figure I'm only gonna use it once and not for very long so I'll give it a shot. I got the mandrill also so the hole saw will fit into a standard power drill with the ability to make a centering guide hole before the hole saw hits the hatch.

[Rebinva]

zzz

[Warren Kaplan]

I just installed the 3" nicro solar vent this morning. It went without a hitch and took me about 2 hours...'cause I made sure I measured twice and cut once.

After the installation was completed, I pressed the "on" button and nuttin' happened. I did that a few times.....dead.

The instruction manual says that with a dead battery the unit won't work, even with solar as it short circuits the solar array to the motor. The way to check is to remove the battery, then the solar array WILL power the motor (just during daylight) and if it works that way its definitely a dead battery causing the problem. If it doesn't work with the battery out and with the solar array in the sun, it means either the solar array is faulty or the motor is shot.

They also mention to try and let the battery charge up for first time use. My question however... should this thing work right out of the box or should I hold back any judgement for 24 hours in hopes that the solar array charges the battery and the thing works.

My gut feeling is that the battery is dead, or perhaps worse, and I'll have to check that out tomorrow.

[trapper]

My better half put 2 in his ketch and they worked AFTER they charged up. Here in SC that is maybe 1 hour. I purchased one on craigslist, took it out of box and sat it on the back of the boat. The next day it was running. I have not installed it yet.

[Rebinva]

able assistance of CD 33 owner Jack Chamberlain. Thanks to all for your advice.

BTW, it did not start turning before I had to leave. Hope it just needs to charge up!!! ;>)

[Warren Kaplan]

Mine didn't start up either after installed or after a full day in the sun.

According to the manual you should carefully loosen the 3 screws holding the cover and solar array in place. Carefully pry up the array and remove it carefully so as to not break the connecting wires. Underneath is the battery. Remove the battery.

Seems a dead battery "shorts out" the entire unit so it won't even work in the sun using the solar array. REMOVING the dead battery restores the unit's ability to work using solar, but only during daylight if a new battery is not installed.

I did that and my unit worked just fine in the sun using solar. Which meant that the battery was dead. If the unit doesn't work with the dead battery out it means either the solar array is broken somehow or the motor is caput.

If its the battery you need to find a rechargeable "C" battery with at least 2800 ma capacity.

By the way, the instructions for doing all this are in the guide and it really is a very simple procedure.

My unit has been working fine, 24/7 ever since I installed a new battery.

I suspect some of these vents were manufactured some time ago and many have been sitting on shelf in a warehouse for years, so the battery is no good by the time they finally sell it.

[seajunkie]

BTW, it did not start turning before I had to leave

This might sound silly, but did you turn it on? It took me a day to realize that there was an on off switch on mine.

[Rebinva]

installed it. I was only there maybe an hour after I finished. I am checking tonight to see if my friend knows if it is running. Would not suprise me if the batt was bad.

Not silly at all, but I did click the switch a few times and got nothing.

We'll see.