12 volt fans/ AC vents

[Just Limin']

I purchased a Hella fan to mount above the helm station. I attached it to "free" wires I found in the storage compartment above..... It works fine, but unless it's me (it usually is) it produces very little "wind." Works better if I turn it backwards but that puts the blades in an open position. Did I do something wrong?
I also put smaller (cheaper) fans by the V berth lights. I "spliced" into the current going to the lights themselves. Same problem.
Hopefully my non electrical expertise will not burn the boat down...

And what's with the AC vents? There's only two by the seats in my new 25 SC?

Maybe it's just the 100 degree temperatures that are getting to me... I'd give anything for an opening forward window!

Bill Eggert
Just Limin'
Annapolis

 

[bbrh842]

Get a squirrel cage fan for 30 bucks from Wall Mart. Plug it into a 150 watt inverter. Put it in the cockpit pointed into the door toward the helm. That is as good as it gets if you don't have A.C.

 

[knotflying]

Are you sure you didn't hook up the wires in reverse? See what happens when you switch them around.

 

[abcandjrc]

Are you sure you didn't hook up the wires in reverse? See what happens when you switch them around.

^^^^^^^ What he said! ^^^^^^^

You may also want to install an in-line fuse between it and the wires to which you connected it while you are at it. The wires on the Hella are quite light and a short in the fan (or any device with light load and therefore light wires) could get them glowing before the main circuit knows what is happening.

 

[Just Limin']

Thanks to all for answering my questions regarding the fans. Problem fixed. I'm now a cool Ranger owner. Is that redundant?
Evidently, I had reversed polarity. I didn't know I even had polarity....

The Tugnuts forum is invaluable! Still would like more AC vents and an opening front window 🙂

 

[bbrh842]

Amen to the opening front window(s).

 

[captain's cat]

Amen to the opening front window(s).

Some of the roof windows/hatches/skylights are reversible so that you can open them from the front (hinge toward the stern) and funnel air down on you. Not sure if they are square or otherwise symmetrical on the 25SC which they have to be to do this mod.
On edit: from the photos I see it appears that they are hinged towards the centerline of the boat. Cannot tell if they are square or not but, if they are, you could rotate them 90degrees and have a nice breeze (or shower if you take some heavy spray over the bow!) :shock:

Charlie

 

[bbrh842]

The hatches are square and symetrical, and other tuggers have reported turning them to open from the front, with no problem.