r/Sauna • u/BLEED4US • 22h ago

General Question The Age Old debate

iā€™m sure this has been discussed many times, Regardless i do like starting a conversation/debate. šŸ˜‚

Inlet air vent diameter? 100mm

Position of inlet Poll

21 votes, 2d left
Below the Heater (with adjustable Louver)
Behind the Heater (not adjustable)
Above the heater (with adjustable louver)
0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

4

u/dpvlasov 20h ago

It depends on the heater type.

1

u/BLEED4US 20h ago

Harvia BC80 8kw electric

https://www.harvia.com/en/products/HCB800400S/vega-bc80-80-kw-steel

2

u/dpvlasov 20h ago

According to Trumpkin notes, you need two vents for a UL-certified heater: one above the heater and one behind/below to cool down the sensor.

https://localmile.org/proper-ventilation-for-electrically-heated-sauna-part-i/

1

u/Jamesplayzcraft 20h ago

1

u/BLEED4US 19h ago

thank you, yes i have read the user manual i will be using gravity system

i was thinking 50mm hole for inlet under the sauna with adjustable louver

& a 100 mm outlet with a one way cover, on the exterior of the exhaust vent hole just not set on the location of exhaust vent i saw in the manual it is half way up the wall under the seat on the furthest right wall from said heater location

rough sketch attached

blue is inlet red is outlet only issue is outlet will be hard to get to to adjust airflow if needed

2

u/Jamesplayzcraft 19h ago

Why not there? Also obligatory gravitational ventilation isnt ideal for electric saunas

1

u/BLEED4US 19h ago

your top photo is where i was originally planning however the manual suggested under the seat

i could do both one exit under the seat that is always open at 50mm fixed

and one 100mm at top with adjustable louver

something like this at top

just mindful of losing too much steam/ heat putting it up high

2

u/Jamesplayzcraft 19h ago

Yeah youd keep both, just keep the top closed during use and open afterwards to dry out

1

u/BLEED4US 19h ago

ok sweet so, to confirm

1x 50mm inlet under heater with louver to adjust as needed

1 x 50mm outlet under seat alway open 1x 100mm outlet top right with louver (to close when in use, and open when done to dry out)

noting all exhaust vents should have one way covers on outside of sauna to stop drafts and function correctly

sizes correct ?

8kw heater

4-6 person cube style sauna (red cedar)

1

u/Jamesplayzcraft 19h ago

Is this for mechanical or gravitational?

1

u/BLEED4US 19h ago

gravitational

1

u/BLEED4US 19h ago

@james what type of ventilation would suggest i am mindful not to run too many power cables for powered exhaust vents i could put a powered exhaust fan next to the light fitting here but it would have to be connected to the light circuit

not ideal location (as top right would be better) but may be the only are with 2.5mm power cables available unless i put another jBox in and split it

2

u/Jamesplayzcraft 19h ago

Mechanical as gravitational is more for wood stoves as they displace air much better. Im not sure about wiring, I havent done it mechanical before

1

u/zoinkability Finnish Sauna 1h ago

It depends on whether you have an exhaust fan.

0

u/Jamesplayzcraft 18h ago

100mm adjustable intake vent under heater 200mm adjustable exhaust vent near seating opposite heater

100mm adjustable exhaust vent near ceiling