Solar Powered Roof Vent

[Grandad]

I'm not having a hatch in my van so was thinking of something like this to remove hot air from the ceiling and generally move the air around.

I like the idea of self powered.

https://www.autobox.com.au/solar-powere ... t-fan-vent

Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Jim

[homeless]

I had similar for the fridge on my bus all the time I had it and it was still working until someone cut the sun light out by building a permanent shed over the bus. Still have the spare in the trailer and the new seals and have been considering installing for the toilet on the bus. Now I am starting to get mobile again I will look into it.
I need a bigger roundtuit as the existing one is full.

[Grandad]

Thank you. That's encouraging.
I just noticed your signature. A 12x5 houseboat? Oh, that sound nice. Have you posted any pics on this forum apart from the avatar?

Jim

[homeless]

No No Photos.
Just very basic but home to me.
Just like a gypsy caravan things hanging every where.
Suits me as I cant drive anymore so a good base and the marina is great, Mannum is a great little town close to everything if it is not here.
Lots happen in Mannum so never boring if you like that sort if thing.
Will look for another photo when I get back to my main computer as I am in the Galley doing music and genealogy (what a waste if time LOL) and I do this on an old XP machine as the disks are old and do not like the new computers or is that the other way around.

[Mrcoolabah1au]

Wow yes ok thanks agree mannum did have a lot going for it while I was there

[T1 Terry]

The little rooftop solar powered vents work ok for a while, but the sun effects the plastic on top of the panel and it slowly stops doing much as far as venting. It also only works while the sun is out and shining above the panel. Better to use a similar type of base, like a small "Chinaman's hat" and add a small Maglev fan available from JayCar etc, they use less power and are virtually silent. Then you can connect it up either full time to the battery or with a 50*C thermostat (also from Jaycar) and/or a rain sensor that will start it up if it detects enough moisture to for a drip above the sensor to set it off. You could add some sort of funnel device or a more sensitive moisture sensor if that is what you want the fan vent to remove. I added one to the big bus project that started up if the thermostat on the fridge compressor sensed more than 50*C ... it worked fine for the test period we had the fridge in there as a beer fridge, but the travel distance to the fridge resulted in it being moved to the back patio again. We have a spare fridge in the workshop now that fits in that size hole, maybe I should put it in there and test it long term.. and get it out of the small workshop kitchen area

T1 Terry

[BruceS]

You can get those little solar powered ones for ocean going yachts. There is one here on a boat. I'll see if I can find out some details about it later on.
I've got a dorado vent but you'd still need the fan under it.

Be good to be able to completely close it too like this one?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DORADE-VENT ... ctupt=true
Not sure if that has a fan or not though or just 'hot air rises'?

[jon_d]

I was given one that I don't need.

If you want to pay for postage, it's yours.

[Grandad]

Thanks Bruce, but it's plastic. I think Terry is right. Plastic and sun don't mix for long.
The one I'm looking at is stainless steel on the outside. Plus it claims to have a 20 cubic metre per hour rate. The Pumpkin is roughly 8.

Terry, I want it for general ventilation mainly. At the end of a hot day when you want to get the hot air inside to go outside or when I burn the toast etc. I think I may have found the source of the moisture actually. I'll know tomorrow if my fix worked. I'll let you know.

The one I've linked to has a built in battery and they claim it will run the fan for 24 hours before charging is needed. What I also liked about this one is it has a switch which a lot don't. They just run when the sun is out and don't when it isn't. Not what I want.

By the way Terry, I never got back to you about your suggestion of aluminium for the roof rack. You're quite right. My mind automatically went to steel because I don't have a TIG. Aluminium would be much better. I might talk to you later on down the track when I'm ready to build.
Also, aluminium would be much better for the racks for the solar panels. I'll have to think on that one.

jon-d. That's a very generous offer. Thank you very much. Could I trouble you for a picture? I'm thinking if it isn't suitable for this job, it may be just right to ventilate the electrical cupboard.

Cheers
Jim

[T1 Terry]

We have a roller/bender here, plus the Mig, so you can build the thing here is you want, just pay for the materials used. I'm happy for the owner to help when ever they want, saves labour costs and I don't suffer the aches and pains for weeks afterwards the way I do on back to back big jobs.

T1 Terry