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I'm thinking of switching out a factory light on the factory panel with a 12 volt fan and was wondering if the guage is big enough... I rarely use more than the v berth light. The radio is great as a night light.

Has anyone ever done this ?? I think it will be fine, don't hurt to ask though.

thanks,
Erik

If you do, get one of the Hella fans - they draw *far* less power than any other circulating fan. I have one and love it... quiet and low power. I'm sure it uses less than a factory light.

Another option is to use computer cooling fans. The downside is that you may have to build a bracket for them.
The upside is you can usually get them for free from a computer shop, they use very little power, yet they move a lot of air.

I think it's a good idea, I've never thought of that.
Especially for V berth, but I would use the wire fron head side instead, my son likes to read there.
I have done it with my stereo, tapped into light feed wire.

Darek

just like Admiral Mclemore promised

Hella fan (single speed) draws 6.5W electrical power, while the stock lamps pull 12W IIRC

(nice new avatar btw)

Kelly Hanson East wrote:(nice new avatar btw)

Thanks. I changed it out again, though.... not many folks would get the artsy reference, I think... so I'll go with Heath's theme.

dbcounihan wrote:Another option is to use computer cooling fans. The downside is that you may have to build a bracket for them.
The upside is you can usually get them for free from a computer shop, they use very little power, yet they move a lot of air.

If you go that route, make sure you get one with less than 20db, usually labeled "stealth" or "silent". Alot of those case fans can be noisy/whiny in an annoying way (not just white noise in the background).

I have several for locker ventilation, and yes, they were cheap, and they move *alot* of air, but I may be swapping them out for the "stealth" type (at about twice the price).

Patrick