BajaNomad

12 volt fans

Santiago - 7-22-2007 at 08:57 AM

Need some advice on 12 volt fans: small oscilating (sp) types for next-to-bed and over-head on a 2/12 ceiling pitch. Most of the 6inch or 8inch fans I see in JC Whitney draw between 1.5 and 3 amps - I'm assuming that a 105 amp battery should be able to run this all night and only be about 1/3 down. This right?
I'm thinking about getting a couple of overheads for an outside porch - what brands/issues should I be looking for? Do I take the fans down when I'm gone?
Another idea:
I have a 120V fan that we use at home that draws 0.37amps at 30watts: couldn't I just run this off my 2nd boat battery via a inverter (500watt/4.2amps) and then recharge the battery during the next day's boating?
This is not ment to be a permanent solution - just something to get me by for a few days next week.

jerry - 7-22-2007 at 09:02 AM

sounds like you have the numbers right as long as that fan moter will run on inverted 120 volt some moters wont pretty easy to check it out
if your boats parked close enoff you could just run heavy wire to it and not have to move the battery each day

Current Draw

MrBillM - 7-22-2007 at 09:15 AM

30 Watts would equal 0.25 Amps @ 120V OR 2.5 Amps @ 12V.

The BEST Inverters operate at +90 % efficiency. The cheaper ones at less so ANYTIME you use an inverter, you are inserting additional loss.

As Jerry points out, some motors won't run on an inverter. Others (such as the cheaper overhead fans) make additional noise on Modified Sine Wave (or Square Wave) Inverters.

I use MANY 12 volt car fans purchased at Walmart for around $15.00. Although they are noisier than 120VAC fans, they draw less at about 1.5 Amps 12VDC. They move a lot of air and, now that the blades are plastic rather than metal, they are quieter. We have no problem sleeping with them on. All of the ones I've used have lasted multi-seasons, but I do keep new ones as spares.

[Edited on 7-22-2007 by MrBillM]

Santiago - 7-22-2007 at 09:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jerry
if your boats parked close enoff you could just run heavy wire to it and not have to move the battery each day

was thinking of attaching the inverter at the boat and running an extension cord to the fan.

bajalou - 7-22-2007 at 09:18 AM

I agree with MrBillM - get some of the 12V at Walmart - they are also voltage tolerant - If you batteries get a little low, they will still operate.

Hook - 7-22-2007 at 09:58 AM

I wont own fans in the 6-8 inch range anymore. Too noisy for me.

I prefer to invert larger fan blades. I like Holmes smallish box fans with thermostat control, 4 speeds and reversible. I use these in windows, in boat hatches and above the emergency vent in my Lance. Think mine is a 12 incher.

Can also be used on a table.

edm1 - 7-22-2007 at 07:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I wont own fans in the 6-8 inch range anymore. Too noisy for me.

I prefer to invert larger fan blades. I like Holmes smallish box fans with thermostat control, 4 speeds and reversible. I use these in windows, in boat hatches and above the emergency vent in my Lance. Think mine is a 12 incher.

Can also be used on a table.


I agree with Hook. I have the 12V Walmart fan and it's too noisy to sleep on. It's OK for day use. I use the built-in (12V) overhead reversible Fantastic vent to blow IN cool air at night.

jerry - 7-22-2007 at 08:18 PM

extension cord will work fine if ya use 120 v if your using 12 v you will have to so some modifing the ends just dont use too light of cord if your going any distance and make sure its copper

oladulce - 7-22-2007 at 09:37 PM

We use 3 of these in our camper and have been happy with them for several years. Also in the process of installing 2 more near the bed in our Baja casa which is solar powered.

They only draw up to .5 amps and move a lot of air. They don't oscillate, but are adjustable. Not whisper-quiet, but much quieter than the cheapie Kmart ones that we used to have to replace every year. They are plastic and very durable.

These are more pricey (around $60 each) but they've been worth every penny on those hot summer Baja Sur nights in our camper .

It's call a "Hella Turbo Fan" and they carry them at West Marine and boating catalogs.

Bob and Susan - 7-23-2007 at 05:48 AM

you NEED to get one of these...Kill-A-Watt
they go for about $15
We got ours at Harbor Freight

We use one of those big white fans that oscillates

The low speed uses 60watts and runs easily all night on a 12 volt marine battery and a 300 watt inverter

Medium speed uses 80watts and High uses 100watts

kill a watt.JPG - 7kB

Santiago - 7-23-2007 at 06:45 AM

Thanks everyone! My wife needs the white noise to sleep so she uses a cheapie now by the bed - even during the winter - especially after the "change of life". There are times when she has the whole house fan running, the overhead fan and the little guy on her side of the bed and only the sheet. Christ almighty! I'm shivering under 2 blankets and wake up with a sore throat. What's with that woman???????? Probably off topic.......:?:

CaboRon - 7-23-2007 at 06:50 AM

I use two of the walmart fans (12v) in my truck. Minimal drain. CaboRon

Bob and Susan - 7-23-2007 at 04:24 PM

i think i paid 11 bucks at harbor freight in montclair ca but i'll check next week when i'm up there...

DENNIS - 7-23-2007 at 05:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
My wife needs the white noise to sleep

Why doesn't she just turn on Jay Leno?

4baja - 7-23-2007 at 07:52 PM

jim, when you going down? buy a small honda generater(eu1000) and use a 120 volt box fan. you wont be disapointed.:bounce::coolup:

Santiago - 7-23-2007 at 08:38 PM

Stevo: leaving next monday - I have the eu2000 NOW and so many g*d d*mn fans that there's no way she's gonna break a sweat. In fact, if I don't catch a break and get the luz verde I'm toast - I don't think they're gonna buy my story that the sh*t load of fans in the truck is just for my wife. sheeeeesh
Anywho - were only spending a couple of days to check out Mac's work, order more and then head over to see Shari and Juan - wife perked up when I showed her Juan in his thong.......
I should get 1 day on the water in Bahia de los Angeles and will check out any 83 degree water we can find and report back. Probably 1 day fishing on the west coast and that's it.

Diver - 7-23-2007 at 08:46 PM

Fans ?? Can't you run a small 15 amp window A/C unit off your eu2000 ?? :light:

Santiago - 7-23-2007 at 09:22 PM

Diver: I think you could but it would be pushing it - surge is 16 amps or so and 13amps is normal. My problem is that for years I hated the sound of generators running at night and loudly complained about how people come out to the desert and bring all their electrical crap and now I'm doing it. I'm going to do this slowly: 12 volt at night and gernerator do recharge during the day - next year solar panels and go to the Canadian Rockies in August. I think Pompano's on to something.

Diver - 7-23-2007 at 09:47 PM

Our 85watt Kyocera panel and 2 - 12V batteries do the job most times.
I add another panel and 1 more battery for more useage, if needed.
This powers the toys in our 24' trailer - lights, water pump, fans, TV/DVD, laptop...
Agree on the generator noise.

I hear Juan will take your party fishing with his "lucky" thong for the right tip !! :lol:
(Not sure if he wears it of uses it for bait !!) :lol::lol::lol:
.

Hook - 7-30-2007 at 04:51 PM

This company has two groups of fans that are multi-power in the 10 inch blade size.

http://www.o2-cool.com/

I have a friend who is in Natural Bridges Natl Mon. right now after touring Colorado Natl Mon. and Mesa Verde during a particularly hot and moist period. He says his is a lifesaver. Very inexpensive, undoubtedly Chinese and it seems rather delicate to him but it works fine so far. He has a model that comes with a rechargeable battery pack, a 12v cord, a 110v cord and a compartment for 8 D cell batteries as well. The rechargeable battery acts in conjunction with the D cells; one takes priority over the other and switches over seamlessly when one is exhausted. Supposed to last up to 75 hours, probably on low speed. His model is the 1040.

Looks interesting.................about 25 bucks at Walmart.

Hook - 8-7-2007 at 01:26 PM

Got one of these after seeing my buddies...........GREAT FAN FOR THE MONEY.

Nice to be able to hang it from it's built-in hook as well as setting it on it's base.

If it lasts 2-4 years, it's worth it.

capt. mike - 8-7-2007 at 04:25 PM

i have found zero AC units that even my EU2000 honda can start up.

need 2 daisy chained or the 3000 unit.
boy - are they quiet tho!!

Hook - 8-7-2007 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
i have found zero AC units that even my EU2000 honda can start up.

need 2 daisy chained or the 3000 unit.
boy - are they quiet tho!!


They do make them, Mike. This same friend found a window type that he planned on using on the tailgate of his tundra to blow air into his shell. It was just too noisy and not a very efficient use, despite trying to close off the back end.

Let me ask.....he may be willing to sell it. He ran it with an EU2000.

msteve1014 - 8-7-2007 at 05:24 PM

west marine has small 12 volt fans like the hella, that draw next to nothing and are super quiet, for about half of what the hellas cost. I did not have good luck trying to run a 120 volt fan off my inverter all night, and charging it in the day.

Hook - 8-8-2007 at 09:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by msteve1014
west marine has small 12 volt fans like the hella, that draw next to nothing and are super quiet, for about half of what the hellas cost. I did not have good luck trying to run a 120 volt fan off my inverter all night, and charging it in the day.


How were you charging during the day? Solar, generator, generator with an external charger or just running the engine?

msteve1014 - 8-8-2007 at 04:54 PM

I have 120 watts of solar panels feeding 4 deep cycle batteries in the camper, and 2 starting batteries in the truck. I also have an ARB freezer pulling about 2.5 amps, 24 hours a day, in the truck.Im on the edge.

Bob and Susan - 8-8-2007 at 04:59 PM

i tried richard's eu2000 last year and it started the trailer a/c but it was under load

it would need two eu 2000's to run it

those trailer a/c's a pretty big electrical suckers

now a little costco unit would be ezzzze

cpg - 8-9-2007 at 09:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce
We use 3 of these in our camper and have been happy with them for several years. Also in the process of installing 2 more near the bed in our Baja casa which is solar powered.

They only draw up to .5 amps and move a lot of air. They don't oscillate, but are adjustable. Not whisper-quiet, but much quieter than the cheapie Kmart ones that we used to have to replace every year. They are plastic and very durable.

hese are more pricey (around $60 each) but they've been worth every penny on those hot summer Baja Sur nights in our camper .

It's call a "Hella Turbo Fan" and they carry them at West Marine and boating catalogs.
[IMG]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/oladulce/hella.jpg


I use this also great fan and a low draw
[/IMG]