Improving Air Flow on a 50ft Houseboat in the Desert SW

  • Thread starter Thread starter Specialblend21
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Air Air flow Flow
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on enhancing airflow and cooling in a 50-foot houseboat located in the desert southwest, where high daytime temperatures can reach 104°F. Participants suggest using solar-powered 12V fans to push hot air out and pull cooler air in from shaded areas beneath the boat. Additional recommendations include installing a small 12V swamp cooler, improving insulation, and utilizing water temperature from deeper depths for cooling. Effective ventilation and thermal management are emphasized as critical for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solar power systems, specifically 12V battery and fan configurations.
  • Knowledge of thermal inertia and its impact on indoor temperatures.
  • Familiarity with airflow principles, including positive and negative pressure systems.
  • Basic concepts of heat transfer, particularly hot and cold air movement.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research solar-powered ventilation fan systems for boats.
  • Explore the use of swamp coolers in mobile home environments.
  • Investigate insulation materials suitable for marine applications.
  • Learn about water temperature measurement techniques at different depths.
USEFUL FOR

Boat owners, marine engineers, and anyone interested in optimizing airflow and cooling solutions for houseboats or similar mobile living environments.

  • #31
We should stop this thread because of the many mental models of the circumstances of the posters.

I was thinking of Lake Powell and Lake Mead in the USA southwest. Those lakes host fleets of houseboats. All the pictures I posted in this thread were from Lake Powell. There are no fast flowing waters in the lakes. Lake Powell does not often have excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. So my advice was location specific.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #32
PS Why isn't there something on the market for this purpose? Boating Folk are suckers for fancy gadgets (mea culpa). Since I sold my boat I became a wealthy man.
 
  • Haha
Likes Rive
  • #33
sophiecentaur said:
I don't think that photo was a serious 'mooring suggestion' aamof. It looks more like a place for white water rafting than somewhere to spend the night. :smile:
Sure but still: shade and bodies of water rarely mix.
 
  • Like
Likes sophiecentaur
  • #34
anorlunda said:
We should stop this thread because of the many mental models of the circumstances of the posters.
Yep. Too many undisclosed variables and an unfamiliar topic. It's even worse than trying to discuss house wiring. It does give a nice insight into the various experiences different members have had, though and gives us practice with new vocabulary.
 
  • Like
Likes Rive and anorlunda

Similar threads

Optimizing Air Flow for CO2 and Heat Loss in Vans
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Dyson bladeless fan/turbine compressor building air cooling?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
9K
Why Does Closing My Door Increase the Breeze in My Room?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Undergrad Optimizing Evaporative Cooling via Sweat in Dry Desert?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Why does my room have better air flow when the door is almost closed?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Underground pump vault airflow considerations
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Plumbing Compressed air powered water pressure
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
15K
Screen doors/windows disrupting air flow
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
19K
Solar Powered Car Interior Ventilator
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
12K
Improving Airflow in a 2.5 Triumph Spitfire
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K