Solar Marine Vent

[Lainey]

Has anyone installed any type of solar vent such as this?
Sunsei Marine Vent
I ran across it on the Costco.ca website and am curious if anyone is using this type of fan unit at all? The $150 price (for the Stainless Steel model, cheaper for plastic) is a lot better than putting in a traditional vented fan, especially with the inflated prices here in canada on RV accessories.

[Brian B-P]

The Sunsei™ Multi-purpose SolarVent claims to move 1200 cubic feet of air per hour, or 20 cubic feet per minute, while a MaxxFan claims 500 cubic feet per minute on even the lowest speed. This makes sense, because the Sunsei only has a small solar panel or tiny batteries - the two AA cells are good for only 3V at a fraction of an amp, while the MaxxFan and similar vents use 12V at 1.4 amps (at low speed) to drive a much larger set of fan blades.

If only a little bit of ventilation is required, this might be a compact and tidy solution, but I don't think I would be satisfied with it as the primary vent in my trailer.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Like Brian, I wouldn't want it as a primary fan. Two AA's aren't going to move much air when parked in the shade or at night...

BTW, there are others at WestMarine, including the same one for the same price.

[Bonnie]

I've seen these too. Wonder if the Nicro one would be better? The reviews seem pretty positive overall. With the tray roof, the Play Pac has some limits to what might work, if I can bring myself to hack a hole or two in the shell.

Bonnie

[Frederick L. Simson]

Features:
*Runs for 48 hours without sunlight
*2 high-capacity AA NiMh batteries offer 24‑hour operation capability
*No wiring required – never drains boat/RV batteries
*Can be sealed manually to prevent water ingress
*Easy one-click intake/exhaust/off airflow selection
*Can be installed on wood, glass, metal, plastic or canvas
*Fits both round and square openings
*Snaps into 10.2 cm [b](4‑in.) deck plates

Specifications:
*Airflow per hour: 34 m3 (1200 ft.3)
*Run time without sunlight: 48 hours
*Batteries: 2 x AA NiMh
*Fan blade: Reversible (Intake/exhaust)
*Exterior cover diameter: 26.5 cm [b](10.5 in.)
*Height: 12.5 cm [b](5 in.)
*Weight: 0.8 kg (1.5 lb.)

So it mounts into a 4 inch hole, not a 14 inch vent opening...

[Bonnie]

Yup. Wonder what the manual sealing means? Would it only be for rough seas, I wonder? This just looked to be a real possibility to keep the PP from gathering a musty smell. I was thinking two at opposite ends of the camper. One might be enough.

Air exchange would be enough to keep the air from being stagnant; and on cooler days and such, maybe enough to keep the whole works comfy. High temps or humid conditions would require AC or a Big fan anyhow. Just thinking out loud here. What's your opinion?

Bonnie

[Brian B-P]

This vent does look like a powered plumbing vent, but on a larger scale... in fact, that's what I thought it might be at first glance, before getting further into the detail. To keep a bathroom fresher - great; but for overall trailer ventilation - I don't think so. Keep in mind, I have a 17' trailer worth of air to circulate...

It's cheaper than a big fan, but still pretty expensive as an extra item.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Don't forget the Deck Ports to install your vent into.

[Bonnie]

Just to revive this thread. The more I considered my options for adding a permanently installed vent of some sort, the more I came back to the solar vents. I bought the Sunsei marine vent. It's pretty well made. The control switch is integrated into the case and kinda smallish. I will hopefully be installing it pretty soon, so I have, as always, a question. Mounting in a deck port is optional. Would you do that or mount it directly to the roof?

Either option requires poking the same size hole in the fiberglass shell. Just trying to determine the most practical way to go here.



Also got the endless breeze fan at the same time. I think fan powered ventilation is covered for now.

[Mike Montville]

Just to revive this thread. The more I considered my options for adding a permanently installed vent of some sort, the more I came back to the solar vents. I bought the Sunsei marine vent. It's pretty well made. The control switch is integrated into the case and kinda smallish. I will hopefully be installing it pretty soon, so I have, as always, a question. Mounting in a deck port is optional. Would you do that or mount it directly to the roof?

Either option requires poking the same size hole in the fiberglass shell. Just trying to determine the most practical way to go here.



Also got the endless breeze fan at the same time. I think fan powered ventilation is covered for now.

Bonnie,
You and I think alot alike when it comes to solar. This idea is simple and gets the job done. Please post pictures when it is completed!

Mike

[Frederick L. Simson]

I have, as always, a question. Mounting in a deck port is optional. Would you do that or mount it directly to the roof?

I would use a deck port, myself. A properly installed port would reinforce the hole in the shell, simplify sealing against leaks, and make replacing the fan a no-brainer when it fails down the road.

[peterh]

$150 with pretty marginal air flow . . . my thought would be to save my pennies and get a 30w or 45w solar panel setup and a separate Max fan. Then you'd have a solar setup that could help run the lights and the fan and better airflow to boot.

--Peter

[Ed Harris]

Either option requires poking the same size hole in the fiberglass shell. Just trying to determine the most practical way to go here.



Bonnie
There are Hole Saws that are that size that would be the easiest way to get that size hole.
I have a 4" and maybe even bigger ones if you want to give it a shot.
I would also be happy to participate in the carnage if you like!

Ed

[Bonnie]

There are Hole Saws that are that size that would be the easiest way to get that size hole.
I have a 4" and maybe even bigger ones if you want to give it a shot.
I would also be happy to participate in the carnage if you like!

Ed

If it quits raining this weekend, do you think we could get er done? I want the vent in place before I tackle the floor. Well, finishing it, anyhow. 4.5" hole is what is called for in the directions. PM me with possible times. I'll spring for lunch or dinner to say thanks.