Lights and fans

A forum for discussing topics relating to older MacGregor/Venture sailboats.
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dpknopf29
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu May 06, 2021 1:53 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: Louisville, KY

Lights and fans

Post by dpknopf29 »

I need to purchase cabin lights and fans. Any recommended brands or types?
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pitchpolehobie
First Officer
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: USA, OH

Re: Lights and fans

Post by pitchpolehobie »

I can't imagine I paid 40$ for it but got this last year. Charges via micro USB and usb-c the clamp is really strong as well. Pretty happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/OPOLAR-10000m ... XVJDYM
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
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kmclemore
Site Admin
Posts: 6037
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Tohatsu 50D -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc

Re: Lights and fans

Post by kmclemore »

Many years ago I did a lot of research on fans and their wattage draw. The lowest draw fan I could find were the Hella Marine fans (available in white and black). They're not cheap, but they barely sip the power. Here's the kind I bought:

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/hel0033610 ... black.html

Here are some other relevant discussions on the subject (try the 'search' function on the upper right of this page):

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24780

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19779

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13726
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March
Captain
Posts: 939
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 7:54 am
Location: Iowa, MacGregor 26X, Evinrude E-TEC 50 HP

Re: Lights and fans

Post by March »

Looks like a 24 V fan. I also have a rechargeable USB fan (can't remember the type, but it was around 20 bucks) The plug broke, couldn't find a replacement, and haven't used it since. I wouldn't mind wiring it permanently to 12 V, if that type is available, and if it only sips--under the cockpit, for the V-Birth is right under the hatch and that's good enough

One of the earliest "unhappy mods" I did was to mount a solar vent right at the end of the port bench, in the cockpit. I thought the cockpit cushion may be folded so the battery will recharge and blow some air right underneath where I sleep. Didn't work as planned. Could barely feel the airflow, I always stumbled when I wanted to go topside to the mast... so I promptly plugged up the hole and left it at that. Now the hole is leaking under rain and I will have to remove it and silicone it properly once again
C Buchs
Captain
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:49 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Camas, WA 98607

Re: Lights and fans

Post by C Buchs »

Regarding lights:
This is a good thread: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=26638&start=15

I put these in the cabin: single https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CZ ... UTF8&psc=1 and double https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CZ ... UTF8&psc=1

I added this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2 ... UTF8&psc=1 red tail light lens repair tape to the inside of one of the double light's lenses. Now I have a red light in the cabin that I can turn on to preserve night vision and a white one when we're settled in somewhere.

Jeff
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pitchpolehobie
First Officer
Posts: 480
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: USA, OH

Re: Lights and fans

Post by pitchpolehobie »

I have been looking for a suitable cabin LED for night time. I ended up finding these but also like Jeff's lens tape idea.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252621757392
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
C Buchs
Captain
Posts: 562
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:49 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Camas, WA 98607

Re: Lights and fans

Post by C Buchs »

Full disclosure, the red lens tape was an idea I got from a discussion on this site. I think it was Tom's idea, but I can't remember. I just implemented it.
I couldn't find a picture with the red light on, but here's my light mounted with the white light on.

Image

Jeff
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Tomfoolery
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Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Lights and fans

Post by Tomfoolery »

I have one of the pricey Caframo fans, with the timer and three speeds. Very energy efficient. But it costs.

There's a discussion right now on an RV forum I frequent about the Fantastic Vent 12" box fan that runs on 12VDC. It looks like it uses the same multi-wing blade as the powered roof vent in my van. It's also pricey, but given its size, should move more air overall, and is probably more efficient due to being larger diameter, assuming the same air flow as a smaller one. Which is not necessarily a safe assumption, but that's how fans work. :|

https://www.endlessbreeze.com/

Some folks use battery box fans from O2Cool with good results. Long, skinny blades for efficiency. The AC adapter is (supposedly) rated 0.5A at 12VDC, so less than 6W for the fan on high speed. If it is indeed a 12VDC motor, then you should be able to connect to the boat's system, though I don't know what will happen when the OB or external boat battery charger jacks that up to 13.5V or higher; probably nothing, but I don't know that for fact. In the Q&A section, someone says they're running it off a 12V deep-cycle system, so I guess it works fine.

Hmmmm . . . Amazon link doesn't work. But easily searched out.
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
dpknopf29
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu May 06, 2021 1:53 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: Louisville, KY

Re: Lights and fans

Post by dpknopf29 »

Thanks for the many ideas!
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Russ
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Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Lights and fans

Post by Russ »

We have something like this. Runs on its own power or 12v

https://www.amazon.com/O2COOL-10-Inch-P ... 014CLAL8S/

[Posted link fixed. -kmclemore]
--Russ
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