You see before you a reasonable looking, AC powered fan, that moves far more air than the smaller marine counterparts. As our previous fans, with their steel cages, were looking a little rusty, when we saw these in Home Depot, we picked up a cartful. Plugging in our Kill-A-Watt meter we found the following values:
At low speed 24 watts, medium speed 31 watt, high speed 44 watts.
And the price? US$12.95 each.
It is hot and still in Key West and these are in use almost full time. We shall report on their longevity when there is data.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 1, 2011)
May 1st, 2011 at 7:59 am
I have used one of these continuously on Tugly for a few of years. When it quits maybe after 2 years I take it apart, put lots of 3&1 oil on the bearings and it will last another year or two. I’m not cheap I’m green.
May 1st, 2011 at 9:11 am
Hi Steve,
Talking about fans without a blade!
Check out the new Dyson Fan technology, maybe you could utilise this idea to work in water instead of a prop. http://www.dyson.co.uk/fans/
Looking forward to see plans for the FPB 112 & extras on the FBB 64 second series.
Regards
Graham
May 2nd, 2011 at 7:20 pm
and they fit nicely in my port holes too!!!
May 3rd, 2011 at 11:20 am
Hi Steve, I have been reading with interest developments in hydrogen generators used in conjunction with diesel with many websites claiming substantial improvements in fuel consumption up to 35%. While this technology has been around now for sometime it only now appears to be getting a following, is this something you have looked into? Regards Andrew
May 5th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Hi Andrew:
Hydrogen generators is a topic with which I am not familiar. Will look into it w hen we get caught up.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:38 am
I work at a large company that has its own fire and security department. As a rule, my company prohibits the use of plastic-cased fans on company grounds. The reason given is that there have been instances of plastic-cased fans catching fire due to overheating motors.
Based on the above, I use AC-powered metal-cased fans on my boat.
May 7th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
@Norton,
If the fan is UL approved it will have FR4 (fire resistant)plastic housing. This means it will not sustain a flame without outside help. I am 2000 miles from my boat right now so I can’t check my fan. But I have to believe that if HD is selling them they are UL certified.
In my mind, if the motor shorts out, I would rather have an insulated plastic housing than an electrically conductive metal housing. But then, my mind is not what it used to be… 🙂
You might get some melted plastic and a little smoke, but no flames and no fire. Also, your outlets have circuit protection right?