Console Vent

al40 · 17 February 2007, 20:55

It appears that the console on my RC is humid inside. A couple of the guages and my Icom M421 have started to fog up very slightly. I'm 99% sure this is related to moisture inside the console as everything is pretty well sealed on the outside.

Do most consoles have vents fitted in them? Mine is well sealed and I guess it will sweat to some degree. It's probably not helped by the fact that there is a cover on in when the boats not in use.

I could easily cut a hole for a small vent if that would help.

Any suggestions welcome!

Al

codprawn · 17 February 2007, 21:44

I have been thinking of fitting one of these

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/Produ...e-a80fa2d8eef8

A solar powered vent - cost about £40. They are supposed to be pretty waterproof.

al40 · 17 February 2007, 23:23

I was kind of wandering about a solar vent as well. My concern was where to actually fit it (I gather these are normally mounted on the cabin roof). If I mount it on the slope or bulkhead of console then do you think there would be enough light hitting it to power it (obviusly depends what direction you are going in!). I guess you'd also need a breather vent to allow a good airflow.

Had also toyed with a PC cooling fan mounted to the back of a normal vent to give a good strong flow.

Thanks!
Al

codprawn · 18 February 2007, 00:52

Obviously it won't be as efficient mounted like that but they are designed for cabins so will still provide plenty of air for a console.

Chris · 18 February 2007, 06:44

I have a decent size vent in my console yet my guages still steam up they clear when hey get a bit of sunlight on.

Chris

al40 · 19 February 2007, 20:12

Chris,

Thanks for info.

Do you have a cover over the console when boat is not in use? I was wondering if that was making my problem worse as it'll warm up in the sun like a greenhouse with moist air trapped under the cover (irrespective of whether a vent is fitted or not, unless vent is below the level of cover!)

Chris · 19 February 2007, 20:43

Al,

I have only just got the boat however it is clear that the guages steam up dependant on the weather and general humidity of the air.

Chris

al40 · 19 February 2007, 20:55

Thanks Chris.

I'm still stunned that apparently "waterproof" guages fog up. It's only an issue on my teleflex voltmeter and fuel guage. The engine trim / tacho are absolutely fine. Noticed this on last boat which also had a teleflex voltmeter...... They claim to be fog free as well (I suppose they are if mounted inside).

IBWET · 20 February 2007, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

Thanks Chris.

I'm still stunned that apparently "waterproof" guages fog up. It's only an issue on my teleflex voltmeter and fuel guage. The engine trim / tacho are absolutely fine. Noticed this on last boat which also had a teleflex voltmeter...... They claim to be fog free as well (I suppose they are if mounted inside).

Al,

Look at the vents fitted to my consol,next time they are at the top on both sides-gauges still steam , consol still damp.

I think the fan suggestion is a good one (not sure how long a PC fan will last in that environment) solar powered is great idea..it's a problem for me too so I'll see if I can source a fan that will do the job....

and as your good with the meters etc i'll see if it set yours on fire before I do mine...

Ian M · 20 February 2007, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

It appears that the console on my RC is humid inside. A couple of the guages and my Icom M421 have started to fog up very slightly.
Al

Yep, got the same problem with my Mercury smartguages, fuel gauge and M421. Spoke to the dealer about the smartguages and fuel guage, and was informed that "they all do that". Went to the trouble of taking the Icom out of the console (pig of a job!), and sending it back to Icom, who said that there was nothing wrong with it. The slight fogging that I was seeing was due to the water vapour in the air contained within the sealed volume of the case. It did, and continues, to work perfectly, and the fogging clears when it has been out in the sun for a bit. The boat is kept under a heavy tarpaulin cover, but it does not seem excessively damp under the cover.

MikeCC · 20 February 2007, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

I'm still stunned that apparently "waterproof" guages fog up. It's only an issue on my teleflex voltmeter and fuel guage. The engine trim / tacho are absolutely fine. Noticed this on last boat which also had a teleflex voltmeter...... They claim to be fog free as well (I suppose they are if mounted inside).

A lot of instruments are waterproof as fitted - ie mounted and sealed against a console or bulkhead which is 'dry' on the inside.

They may still have holes in the back, usually intended for free air flow which will of course cause fogging in the right conditions. But otherwise, any water vapour caught inside would be difficult to drive out as they warm up.

At least by venting the console, you can reduce moisture building up inside which can only help.

Has anyone tried using sliica packs (or those things people used to have for double glazed windows before vents were installed?)

al40 · 21 February 2007, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeCC

At least by venting the console, you can reduce moisture building up inside which can only help.

Agreed! That was certainly my hope. I think I'll ping an email to Ribcraft to see what they suggest seeing as the fuel guage was supplied by them.

Silica gel is extremely good at drying out air but in the console type of environment would saturate really quick unless you had a lot of it.

codprawn · 21 February 2007, 22:18

Disposable nappies also soak up loads of moisture - seriously many boat owners use them for damp control. Apparently there are loads going cheap down Branscombe way......

Aidan · 22 February 2007, 00:46

I seem to recall from way back in my days of Elec, that many of these clock/meters use an electric coil in conjunction with Diaphragms like speakers to dampen the spring etc. They thus use a tiny pin hole for equalising the pressure.
If his is so, then it will let moisture vapour in and thus the condensation.
Some of these clocks have lights (3 watt from memory) that warm up and teh condensation goes away.

This is from way back so no jumping own my throat.

Meanwhile you have no hope of silica Gel or Babies nappies (which use a similar idea of soaking up)for the entire atlantic. Once the absorb the moisture, they need treatment to recharge.

Try Digital