[C320-list] Quiet 12v fan?

[P.F. Ross]

I mounted two Caframo Ultimate 757 in our aft stateroom based on an old
Practical Sailor report on fans from 2008 (this report available online
without subscription)

https://www.practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-deckgear/windy-ways-practical-sailor-whips-up-12-volt-cabin-fan-test

These fans move a lot of air, are reasonably quiet and do not draw a lot of
current.  I found them on Amazon for under $40.  Note that the newer design
has a mount that allows orienting the fan in any direction, different from
what is noted in the PS article.

One of the fans vibrated more than the other and by switching the blades
from one motor to the other it was obvious one of the blades was not very
well balanced.  Using a tiny bit of sticky Bed-It butyl tape I was able to
"tune" the imbalance out of the offending unit.  I simply stuck a small
lump of the tape to the back side of the blade toward the tip until I found
the best result.  It was an iterative process but did not take long.  After
I got the "bad" unit balanced, I went to work on the other one (that I
originally thought was "good") and I was able to improve its balance as
well.  Now both fans are quiet and work great!

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206

On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 8:38 AM Christian <ccaper at gmail.com> wrote:

> I got 3 of these around last Christmas (2020) for my 320:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Anpress-Electric-Rotating-Conditioner-Portable/dp/B01GPY34Y8/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=anpress+fan&qid=1565616652&s=gateway&sr=8-14
>
> They are currently listed as unavailable, but many Chinese products are
> often sold under different brand names on Amazon but all made by same
> manufacturer so maybe you can find a similar product.  These were
> recommended here on the list by others.  They aren't quiet , but they
> aren't loud (minimal motor noise, no vibration noise, just air noise), and
> are 12v.  They move so much air that if I don't velcro them down, they will
> move.  I'm very happy with them.  I wired 2 into the aft cabin light
> fixtures, and put one in the salon.
>
> On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 8:23 AM Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi Scott:
> >
> > About three years ago, I bought a couple of 12-volt, no-name rv/RV fans
> > off Amazon for about $12 each. They’re still running, pretty quiet and
> move
> > a lot of air.
> >
> > I just looked on Amazon and could not find an exact match, although some
> > looked similar. It may be worth investing a couple of dollars to see
> > whether they suit your needs before you buy a $120 fan from West Marine.
> > These fans are much better than anything from a boat store, in my
> opinion.
> >
> > Make sure you buy plastic fans and not metal ones. The metal ones will
> > rust quickly on a boat.
> >
> > Another option is to use 12-volt computer fans, although they don’t move
> > as much air as my Amazon cheapos. Sailors sometimes use them to run
> > constantly to keep the cabin fresh.
> >
> > I use Velcro to attach the fans so I can move them around to different
> > spots.
> >
> > Jack Brennan
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> >
> > From: Scott Westwood
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 7:25 AM
> > To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> > Subject: [C320-list] Quiet 12v fan?
> >
> > I am  looking for a "quiet" fan for the boat.  I see some out there and
> > have just started looking.  Prefer 12v but I may have to go with 110AC
> and
> > just plug it into the inverter.
> > What experiences are out there?  Just started checking into db levels but
> > not all list that.I do know that you pay more for the quiet but I am
> > willing to pay it.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net C (919)- 819-9794
> >
> >
>