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KD on Tropic · 23-06-2016, 05:13

Hi all,
Am getting sick of replacing the cabin fans to my Cat... have spent big dollars on the supposed better brands ...not sure if I am allowed to mention names.... but they are the more renown and recognised brands... no "eBay specials" here ...and they are not worth an ash tray on a motor bike!!!
They always seem to fail 1 week after the warranty runs out.... and when you contact the manufacturer... you get the "oh sorry about that, we never have any problems with these" line... then you get the "please watch our web site for the new and improved model" line... if the predecessor was SOOOOO good... then why are you replacing it with a new model I ask!!!

So my question to all is .... what do you use???

All the recognised units have a smaller fan diameter... Typically 6 to 8 inches.... and to get the air flow needed to cool each of the cabins... the rotational speed needs to be reasonably quick.... and of course this leads to quite noisy fans.

So i am wandering ... does anyone know if there is a manufacturer that makes a 12 volt fan that has a larger fan blade diameter, reliable, and quiet?

Thanks, and am looking forward to any help offered.

Jsta_Rebel · 23-06-2016, 05:21

Caframo. Last about a year with daily use.

robert sailor · 23-06-2016, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsta_Rebel

Caframo. Last about a year with daily use.

Not much to choose from these days and while not perfect we too have been using Caframo fans.

contrail · 23-06-2016, 09:54

The best 12 volt fans I ever had were both bought at a truck stop store. Amazing all the 12v gizmos they carry!

The Garbone · 23-06-2016, 10:55

We have these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018EGJNE..._ZecBxbJM70VX3

Bought one 3 years ago and a second 2. They work great and use very little power.

We screwed the magnetic bases to the overhead but they also have clips to hang about and a nice long cord. We just plug them into our 12v accessory outlets and run them on the house bank, pitch the battery pack they come with.

SteveSails · 23-06-2016, 11:16

Using 4 of these; Caframo 757 Ultimate Fan

Less than $50, open blade wipes clean easy, quite, 2 speed, low amps.

CSY Man · 23-06-2016, 12:13

Cafrano.
They lasted 20 years on previous boat. Quiet, low amp and 2 speed.

jamhass · 23-06-2016, 13:31

I use inexpensive 12 volt computer fans in a teak frame that I made up. Out of 6 fans made 8 years ago, one failed this past season and it took 10 dollars and 10 minutes to replace.

DDabs · 23-06-2016, 13:33

The Caframo Kona seems to be a little bit better build quality than their other models, with an aluminum mounting plate and motor cover.

zeehag · 23-06-2016, 13:50

02cool. all plastic, lasted me over 4 yrs even to falling 4 times from 4 ft.
4.5 ft was over the edge. worked well. i had the 3 way model,12v, 120, or battery .
my brother found it in a thrift store on geezer day, cost him 5 bux. not a bad deal.
sold in kmart, walmart in usa, and other -mart stores. google em.

my caframo was noisey and broke--motor--at 1 year.

model 10 · 23-06-2016, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSails

Using 4 of these; Caframo 757 Ultimate Fan
Less than $50, open blade wipes clean easy, quite, 2 speed, low amps.

I hate those things as much as you can hate a fan. 2 blades are not smooth and I really hate getting whacked by a blade all the time.

ka4wja · 24-06-2016, 10:56

Dear KD,
We all know the issue you write of, and well....
The answer is:
a) Hella Turbo Fan...well made and they last FOREVER! (2-speeds, quiet, moves a decent amount of air...but, expensive!)
Hella marine Turbo Fan

b) Caframo Bora Fan...well made and decent lifespan... (3-speed, fairly quiet, but not as quiet as the Hella Turbo, and the fastest speed moves a lot of air.)
CAFRAMO Bora Three-Speed Fans | West Marine

Just use a lot of fans, that are LOW-power consumption, so that in addition to circulating the air thru the cabin(s), you can always point a fan at the humans!!
Wind across the skin is always better than not! (evap, ya' know!)

I've been using both of these for many years....actually 12 years on my current boat (and Hella turbo fans on previous boats as well..)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD on Tropic

Hi all,
Am getting sick of replacing the cabin fans to my Cat... have spent big dollars on the supposed better brands ...

So my question to all is .... what do you use???

All the recognised units have a smaller fan diameter... Typically 6 to 8 inches.... and to get the air flow needed to cool each of the cabins... the rotational speed needs to be reasonably quick.... and of course this leads to quite noisy fans.

So i am wandering ... does anyone know if there is a manufacturer that makes a 12 volt fan that has a larger fan blade diameter, reliable, and quiet?

Thanks, and am looking forward to any help offered.

I have some pics to show you of my Hella fans, I have 8 - 10 of them....but can't find any of my Caframo's, have two of the 3-speed Bora's and a couple of their smaller ones in the heads...

Old article I wrote....since changed to all Hella Turbo fans and Caframo!
But, Hella Jet fans are crap...they died within months!
Hella Turbo fans are great!
12 Volt Fans

Lee Boards/Cloths

And, here is the first thread I saw upon a search today...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ans-87563.html

Again, just use a lot of fans, so that in addition to circulating the air thru the cabin(s), you can always point a fan at the humans!!
Wind across the skin is always better than not! (evap, ya' know!)

I hope this helps.

Fair winds..

John