TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best low amp draw fans for the cabin area?

Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:59 pm

I'm looking for 12 v mountable fans to shoot the breeze on vacation.

Efficiency and CFM dont always go together, nor are very reslient to damage, vibration, failure..

Curious what you guys are using to stay cool in the heat?

Anyone get all scientific and measure voltage draw?

Really like this hella,
http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-006239022-12V-Black-Jet/dp/B000N9RXNA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_5

The big brother,

http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003361002-Black-2-Spee...-2-catcorr

OEM says this one draws .5 amps at 12vdc.. hmm.

Is there a holy grail for efficiency?

Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:10 pm

I was checking these out at West Marine recently. The smaller cheaper fans tend to be quite noisy. I thought the best was the Caframo Bora 3 speed ($84). If you are near a West Marine I suggest you go see.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:31 pm

No idea about efficiency, but another vote for Caframo for quality and durability. We have a 2 speed one with the white rubbery blades that we leave on all night every night in the boat when we sleep. It has lasted 15 years, and is on its 3rd set of blades. The fan gets bonked a lot and eventually the motor shaft spins in the propeller. Like if the kids jam a duffle bag against it while its running. They sell replaceable blades that take 30 seconds to change. It's quiet, powerful and durable. Ours came with a clamp mount and a suction cup mount and we only use the latter. I plan to use it in the van with all the windows to use for positioning.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:52 pm

I'm even debating on PWM controller based ball bearing fans for Computers. They move quite a bit of air, and are commonly very low draw.

Definitely somethin we're going to need as I nix'd the AC. :?

Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:22 pm

This looks promising. Could be rewired for 12v.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Electric-Portable-In...amp;sr=1-1

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

Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:28 pm

PDXWesty wrote: This looks promising. Could be rewired for 12v.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Electric-Portable-In...amp;sr=1-1

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

I have one of these, runs off of 12v and batteries. Doesn't really push the air enough.

Maybe a bigger computer fan?

Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:31 pm

I have used those O2 Cool fans. I hang one or two of them from the horizontal pop-top bar with bungees so that they blow fresh air in through the screen.

They work very well for moving air but eat batteries. I like to leave one on overnight, and can usually get two nights with 8 D batteries.

ETA: the two I have are pretty durable. They've been dropped, bumped, and generally abused but still work.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:11 pm

I have this one I use when stationary:

http://www.amazon.com/Fan-Tastic-Vent-01100WH-Endless-Breeze/dp/B0000AY2Z6

I'm thinknig of a truckers fan on the dashboard for on the road.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:42 pm

If the fan runs for say 20 hours on 8 d-cells, it should not draw down a large 12v ballery very much. A d-cell battery is rated for about 12000 mAh. The fan shown seems to have a very low amp draw. (capacity of batteries in series is not additive)

Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:51 pm

Corwyn wrote: I have this one I use when stationary:

http://www.amazon.com/Fan-Tastic-Vent-01100WH-Endless-Breeze/dp/B0000AY2Z6

I'm thinknig of a truckers fan on the dashboard for on the road.

Fan-tastic makes some very nice, efficient RV permanent-install fans as well, I have one that will be put into the pop-top roof at some point in the future.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:55 pm

if you can find a wrecked high-end Saab you might find a solar powered roof fan designed to suck hot air out of the car when parked

Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:38 pm

yea, that fantastic comes with a nifty remote..

I was going to camping world to get my grubby hands on it, measure the fiberglass for it, and see if its a worthy upgrade.

I already have a new seal kit, skylight hardware.. but.. This would be supercool to have.. getting power to the skylight.. going to be a trick.. but.. I will be doing that as I'm adding lighting, 12v and USB power to the upper bunk, and some cabinetry mounted to the ceiling, namely just as big as the porthole when the bed is folded. storage.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:54 pm

I use this one..

Hella.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle...sNum=50676

Have had a few over the yrs.. no problems. Runs quietly. Moves a good bit of air.
Can be removed from its base and stored out of the way when not needed.

Last one I ordered was beginning of Summer 2011, sadly.. arrived with a faulty switch.
Dissappointing considering the cost, but I eventually found a replacement locally .. and has worked properly, since. Returned faulty one for no hassle refund thru Jamestown Distributors.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:07 pm

I am planning to put a fan in the left side D pillar pushing air through the unused black grille. No body cutting, leaks, or roof storage interference. Also the fan motor noise is isolated away from interior. Looked at marine blower fans but too powerful. Anyone know of an infinitely adj one that would be in 2" range? Would be nice to have ability to vary fan speed and draw with a nice range up to strong airflow.

Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:59 pm

just the facts mam

12V Bora Fan, 0.29A High Draw, 0.22A Medium Draw, 0.15A Low Draw

> Hella 12V DC Turbo Fan, 0.1A Draw

Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:31 am

coleman makes a great little fan that runs on batteries that last a looong time, I've used mine or years and, I think only replaced the batteries twice.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:37 am

I have this one

Designed for use in compact spaces, this fan’s clever foldaway gimbal mechanism directs its output in any direction, and permits it to fold away flat against the bulkhead when not in use. Three-speed gimbaled design allows the controls to be positioned where you need them. Battery-saving timer feature can be set at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours. Corrosion-resistant parts and FingerSafe™ blades that stop when touched.

Capacity: 240cu. ft./min.
Blade: Flexible
Safety Features: FingerSafe™ blades
Dimensions: 10.5"H x 12"W x 3.5"D

Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:10 am

Corwyn wrote: I have this one I use when stationary:

http://www.amazon.com/Fan-Tastic-Vent-01100WH-Endless-Breeze/dp/B0000AY2Z6

I'm thinknig of a truckers fan on the dashboard for on the road.

Someone said:

Current draw is around 1 amp, 1.5 amps, and 2.6 amps for the 3 speeds.

not so bad..

Edit:'

I did research on that fan Alairic posted.. looks like the site is http://www.caframo.com/marine/common_wheretobuy.php

That fan also comes in black, and there are other models very similar...

All boast low amp draw on High... which .34 A at 12V; that's crazy!

I'm curious about how much air it moves....

Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:00 am

> I'm curious about how much air it moves....

Alaric only buys the very best equipment. If it works for him, Im betting, it rocks!

Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:20 am

dubbified wrote: Corwyn wrote: I have this one I use when stationary:

http://www.amazon.com/Fan-Tastic-Vent-01100WH-Endless-Breeze/dp/B0000AY2Z6

I'm thinknig of a truckers fan on the dashboard for on the road.

Someone said:

Current draw is around 1 amp, 1.5 amps, and 2.6 amps for the 3 speeds.

not so bad..

Edit:'

I did research on that fan Alairic posted.. looks like the site is http://www.caframo.com/marine/common_wheretobuy.php

That fan also comes in black, and there are other models very similar...

All boast low amp draw on High... which .34 A at 12V; that's crazy!

I'm curious about how much air it moves.... It has a 10in blade so it is pushing a good amount of air it is also gimbaled
So it can be put in a lot of positions.