The helm radio box is coming together nicely. I just need to wrap up the cooling fan installation, and we’re close to being ready for the headliner guy to come back.
I’ll put the cooling fan here, on the starboard side of the box
The intake will be on the opposite end.
Perfect clearance
The fan has a super low amp draw
This 12v-12v converter will power the fan and its controller
The temperature-sensing fan controller is rated for 12-12.5vdc, so I’m using this converter to keep battery voltage (which can go as high as 14.4) in the safe zone.
Straight battery voltage is 13.41
Converter controlled voltage is 12.29
It works!
I pointed my heat gun at the temp sensor for a few seconds, then the LED on the fan controller came on. Yea!
Electric/electronic part is done
Now I need to make the intake and exhaust grills. In retrospect, I should have done this before I made the mahogany box all pretty.
Drill 1/4″ pilot holes, then start routing slots
This is nerve-wracking
Getting closer
Two more to go
Done! Now, repeat on the other side
Pilot holes are drilled
Nice!
Next I finished sanding the varnish with 240 grit Mirka Abranet, and laid on the last coat of Spar varnish.
That’s one fine looking set of intake/exhaust grills
The front looks good, too
The fan is installed
This worked out pretty slick. This mahogany was part of a big pile of moldings I bought years ago. The little plywood end piece (fan enclosure? duct?) on the far side of the fan is a friction fit where it slides under the mounting board cleat. Then I push down on the lower end of the fan frame, and it ‘clicks’ into place on the half-round part of the molding. It takes a healthy amount of force to pull it free, so I’ll just use 3m 4200 to seal it to the wood…no fasteners required.
When the radios are all installed, there should be good air flow past the heat sinks
Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Aft Deck Headliner Track Prep
1969chriscraftroamer46 