Fans – frequently questions and answers
Will my fans dramatically discharge my house batteries when the engines are turned off?
Our fans have been designed and optimized in such a way that they provide the maximum amount of air at 28V (alternator voltage at speed above idle). When the engines are switched off and the voltage on the house battery drops back to 24V then the fan speed drops proportionately however the current drops significantly. With every voltage decrease, the current reduces more dramatically. With significantly reduced current, a house battery will not easily be discharged. This means that you can let the fans run for a short period of time after switching off the engines without draining your house batteries.
Will the fans generate enough volume of air when the voltage drops from 28V to 24V?
Yes, the fans will still supply plenty of air as there is either zero air consumption from the engines or negligible amounts in the case of running at idle. At 24V the fans will supply sufficient air flow to keep the engine room cool.
What happens if we have the fans running in order to quickly cool down the engine room and connect to shore power?
Most boats today have a battery charger for the purpose of connecting to shore power. Providing the battery charger is properly sized, the house batteries will be charged much more slowly whilst the fans are running. If the battery charger is undersized, the fans will still run at a speed proportionate to the voltage but the batteries will not be recharged. It is most unlikely that they will be even slightly discharged.
Can we clean the fans from salt build up?
Yes this can be done but we suggest the following procedure. Switch on the fans, preferably when the batteries are low (20-24V) so that you can obtain a slow fan speed. Remove any obstructions (i.e. filters) and clean those. Place a bucket under the fan and cover any sensitive equipment. Find a suitable detergent for removing salt and apply with a spray bottle. Turn off the fans. If you have access, also spray the fan when it is stationery. Leave the detergent on for a while and then take a garden hose with a nozzle and turn on the water with a fine mist spray. Turn the fan on and apply a small amount of water mist at a time. Once you have finished rinsing let the fans run for a few minutes to dry themselves.
Can water get into the fan electronics or inside the body?
No, the fans are totally sealed with a total of 4 o-rings. One is located at the front inside the bracket assembly, the second is inside the electronic compartment and the last two are located between the rotor bearing and the electronic compartment. Should any moisture enter through the shaft seal due to change of temperature and condensation, do not be concerned as all internal components are stainless steel or anodized aluminium.
Do we need to change brushes?
No, all of our new models are brushless. The function of the brushes has been replaced by electronics, reducing arching and heat as well gaining efficiency.
Is my fan serviceable?
Yes, each component is fully serviceable. Chipped or broken impellers can be replaced individually or as a complete hub assembly. Bearings can be replaced by conventional methods, the rotor can be replaced as a magnet sleeve on a shaft, the stator and housing can be replaced as one component, the front bracket, rear bearing flange, electronic housing cover, screws and electronic circuit board can all be replaced.
Are there many custom made parts that are likely to fail?
No. The components to fail are bearings, seals and driving transistors. These are all standard items and should be easy to obtain.
Is the fan built as metric, imperial or a combination of both?
The fan is metric, inside and out.