Vent fan for galley in 396
Posted: November 1st, 2019, 12:15 am
Hello all,
I recently installed a vent fan and duct system for the stove in my 2004 396.( this is the one with the dinette layout.) I used a cheap inline bilge blower and good quality flexible hose. I chose a closable heat system type intake so I can close it off when not in use. I installed a little rocker switch above the microwave so it wasn't right over the cooktop. I used the electric feed for the front cabin DVD, which no one uses anymore. Between removing the microwave, and the back panel in the forward cabin closet, I had very good access to install the wiring and ducting. There was ample room beside and behind the microwave. The inline fan takes up a lot less space than a squirrel cage blower. I mounted it high so that any water that might come in through the exhaust vent would run back out. It's a little noisy, but not too bad. Sorry, most of the pictures are showing sideways. Maybe somebody can tell me how to fix that.
A couple of tips for this kind of project: I measured where I thought the exhaust vent hole should go, then I pulled a screw out of the rub rail and ran a small drill through that screw hole to the inside to give me a reference point. After you cut a hole in the hull, seal it thoroughly. Particularly if there is Balsa Coring which should not get wet.
I recently installed a vent fan and duct system for the stove in my 2004 396.( this is the one with the dinette layout.) I used a cheap inline bilge blower and good quality flexible hose. I chose a closable heat system type intake so I can close it off when not in use. I installed a little rocker switch above the microwave so it wasn't right over the cooktop. I used the electric feed for the front cabin DVD, which no one uses anymore. Between removing the microwave, and the back panel in the forward cabin closet, I had very good access to install the wiring and ducting. There was ample room beside and behind the microwave. The inline fan takes up a lot less space than a squirrel cage blower. I mounted it high so that any water that might come in through the exhaust vent would run back out. It's a little noisy, but not too bad. Sorry, most of the pictures are showing sideways. Maybe somebody can tell me how to fix that.
A couple of tips for this kind of project: I measured where I thought the exhaust vent hole should go, then I pulled a screw out of the rub rail and ran a small drill through that screw hole to the inside to give me a reference point. After you cut a hole in the hull, seal it thoroughly. Particularly if there is Balsa Coring which should not get wet.
