MacGregorSailors.com

Looking for ideas on best places to mount the SS solar vent unit. Probably will use my portlight over the head, but interested in what the trend is.

I've researched the hatch and some have installed in deck.

Michael

Ours is* placed in the same place as Moe's was.



*(going to be in the next few days, anyway! )

That installation site looks like the best place overall. I've been wanting to install one and been putting it off too long !! I suppose these units can be turned off simply by disconnecting the battery--similar to solar garden walk-way lights. I've wondered about the average "life span" of these solar vent units.

I hate to take up precious deck area but I think where you have it is the best spot. It is the most out of the way for the X or M. I had thought of the front windows since you do not want to step on that area but it may look butt ugly.

recently acquired ss solar vent, because distant from companionway and needs no hole cut in hull, deck or windows and should not interfere with opening forehatch.However, I have not installed it yet. Anybody installed in that location? Happy with it? If not, why not? Thanks for any advice. Ron

I put it in the front hatch on our M. Probably not ideal but it works..

Paul

I bought a black one and mounted it in the front "window."

- The kids know not to walk anywhere but non-skid so it is pretty safe.
- It blends right in with the tinted material.
- Easiest place to install - no structural stuff, cored material, etc. to worry about.

It looks like I'm the lone guy who mounted it in the window above the head... But, most of these replies are from Xers...

I think, for the M, above the head is ideal...

DLT wrote:It looks like I'm the lone guy who mounted it in the window above the head... But, most of these replies are from Xers...

I think, for the M, above the head is ideal...

That's exactly what I thought, D.

Dan B wrote:- The kids know not to walk anywhere but non-skid so it is pretty safe.
- It blends right in with the tinted material.
- Easiest place to install - no structural stuff, cored material, etc. to worry about.

Wonder what two SSs on the windows would look like? Bug?

That may be cool



Michael

I have pondered this problem myself; in my case, I have an . I haven't done so yet, but my plan is to install it in the portlight in the head and install a simple louver in the door to the head. I figure it would keep air moving and never bring any of the head smells into the cabin.

I realize that the angle isn't ideal for the solar cell, but I'm hoping it would be good enough. It also wouldn't be terribly pretty sticking out one side of the boat, but would have absolutely no chance of being stepped on.

My major concern is fouling a jib sheet, but probably no more chance than anywhere else on deck. Any thoughts?

The angle of the sun on the panels must be something to consider, but I don't know for sure. It would just make sence. A perpendicular sunlight soucre would reasonably generate more energy from the cells. On the other hand, how much energy is really needed to get that little plastic fan spinning.

As for the oddity of your vertical mounted fan idea - might look novel - not many boats have it like that. Actually, never have seen one like that.

More reason to do that.

Also to consider is the fan's primary roll is to keep an air flow through the cabin to help keep mold/mildew in check. Would that work well if the fan was mounted on the side?

Hmmm. . .

Michael

Lovekamp wrote:I have pondered this problem myself; in my case, I have an . I haven't done so yet, but my plan is to install it in the portlight in the head and install a simple louver in the door to the head. I figure it would keep air moving and never bring any of the head smells into the cabin.

I realize that the angle isn't ideal for the solar cell, but I'm hoping it would be good enough. It also wouldn't be terribly pretty sticking out one side of the boat, but would have absolutely no chance of being stepped on.

My major concern is fouling a jib sheet, but probably no more chance than anywhere else on deck. Any thoughts?

The sun angle *will* be a problem. I just installed mine (see pics above, just like Moe's was) and I noticed as I was working with it while I was installing it (without battery inserted yet) that the solar angle was pretty critical to making it work.... and after all, the time when you're gonna need it most is with the sun is beating down from overhead - and that's the time that it will get virtually no sun if you've installed it in the head's port light.

I'd install it in a position where it will get the most light when the sun's overhead. If you're stuck on installing it in the head, though, how about in the head ceiling, just forward of the winch?

Don't forget that that on the 24x7 models, the panel has to do more than spin the fan... it also has to charge the battery at the same time.

It is good to hear from you Moe. I hope everything is going good.

I think someone might have already mounted a vent in that head portlight, shown in Mods?
But it's a bad idea, IMO, for many reasons.

• Snagging sheets or dock lines;
• Loss of sun angle;
• It's a giant hole in the side of the boat!
• On one day of heavy wind and chop I did see green water across the starboard portlights - though I admit that's rare.
• Yes, deacm's Odin has screened ports, but at least he can choose to close them.
• Roger's design admits NO water into the cabin, even when it's laid-over with mast past horizontal .... unless there happens to be a hole in the side.

Finally, seems folly to spend the bucks for that solar fan, then mount it at 90*. If I was determined to do that, I think I'd mount just a fan, and buy a solar panel that would drive it from a horizontal sun angle.
Sorry - I simply don't get it!