12 Volt Camp Fans

[articulate]

If you camp in the desert or mega warm places in summertime, I'm sure you'll appreciate the notion of a 12 volt fan to help move the air through your tent.

I'd love a 12 volt fan to help move the still, hot air through the Eezi-Awn at night.

What are some good solutions out there?

 

[OverlandZJ]

Read my mind Mark, been wanting one as well.

Quick google search brought these.

http://www.12voltaccessoryoutlet.co...dCategory=61&gclid=CJn12vCv5JQCFQKcFQod_XiGRw

You could probably find some listed at westmarine or boaters world as well.

 

[Dave]

I picked up this O2-Cool fan off eBay a month or so ago. It moves a lot of air and keeps the bunk of our pop up camper very comfortable on warm muggy nights. We don't use the battery pack, just plug it into a 12v outlet.

http://www.safetycentral.com/tecafabaopwi.html

 

[spressomon]

I bought the clip on type from West Marine only to return it because it was not balanced at all and was noisy. I ended up taking a couple 12V fans, wiring them together, installed a 12V plug and a switch, like these and velcroing to the X lift braces on my Maggiolina. We tried them out for the first time at Toroweep last month...They actually work pretty well; they are reasonably quiet, easy/small to store and perfectly balanced.


http://www.sofasco.com/products/dc_axial/d9238.html

 

[go4aryd]

I bought a couple of these 10" O2Cool #1032 rechargeable units a year or so ago. I plug them into either 110 or 12V in my spartan tent trailer, depending where we are, but they will run without being plugged in (internal rechargable batts) and can also run on external batteries. These came with 110V and a 12V adapter plug.

I use two at oposite ends to bring shady cool air in and push hot stagnant air out. I only run then as needed - we don't seem to need to leave them running that long as they are big enough to really move some air, but are not heavy.

I originally found these at walmart for about $19 ea, but sure they are at other places. There is a good photo and description of these at:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/o2-cool-10-smartpower-rechargeable-fan/37640

 

[tdesanto]

Swampy MW-1 Tent Cooler

Mark,

This is perfect for your needs, especially since you're talking about the right scenario for using one of these...dry, hot climate. You can order one from Mario.

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/accessories.html

 

[articulate]

I bought the clip on type from West Marine only to return it because it was not balanced at all and was noisy.

Word. This is why I posted the thread. A google search found me a bunch of products, but no experience. Thanks.

Kind of a cool idea to string 3-4 small fans together like that. :088:

 

[Brian McVickers]

http://www.advancedenergysolution.com/catalog/applications/Small DC & Solar Fans.htm

Here is a solar powered air vent that you could use during the day and probably rewire to also be used at night. It moves about 32cfm.

There are a few other solar powered 12v fans that I used to be aware of when I lived on our boat but other than that I have used dozens of the standard 12v fans. One think to note is that the lifespan is only about a year or so before they become unballanced and scream like a banshee. At least if you run them for 24 hours a day year round!

Brian

 

[Momrocks]

Not an attempt to hijack, but...I run a single battery and wish to use a 12volt fan in the sleeping deck or the tentcot but can't run the risk of running the fan all night. Does anyone know of a 12VDC timer that would allow you to fall asleep running the fan or even intermittant use throughout the night? In Florida, you have to wait until 4:30-5:30 AM before temps become bearable most of the year. Any thoughts or sources regarding a 12VDC timer?

 

[articulate]

Here is a solar powered air vent that you could use during the day and probably rewire to also be used at night. It moves about 32cfm.

Ooooh nice. Solar. I was listening to Adam Corolla this morning going off about solar power. How serendipitous.

Anyway, here's a cool benefit of that solar fan that would match nicely with plaid shorts, navy socks, and open toed sandals: "Or you can clip it to the brim of your hat for direct air flow."

 

[paulj]

In the PNW I don't usually have great cooling needs, so I've found the Coleman "Cool Zephyr Ceiling Fan" to be enough. On warm nights when the interior of the tent (the hard shell Honda Element in my case) gets stuffy (in the 70s) it's enough to stir up the air. Currently it is hung semi-permanently from a grab handle above the dog's seat. The 4D cells last a surprisingly long time.

It's a bit bulky to store when not in use, but with full surrounding ring it's probably no worse than other fans. I haven't tried to hang it from a tent ceiling using the magnetic base.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?product_id=830A550&SourcePage=&SubmittingPage=

 

[teotwaki]

I bought one of these for $10 (oscillating)

and had one of these to run it all night long

Was about $29 on sale at Kragen IIRC.

and I recharge it with this

Brunton Solaris 25W tri-fold

 

[Dave]

Not an attempt to hijack, but...I run a single battery and wish to use a 12volt fan in the sleeping deck or the tentcot but can't run the risk of running the fan all night. Does anyone know of a 12VDC timer that would allow you to fall asleep running the fan or even intermittant use throughout the night? In Florida, you have to wait until 4:30-5:30 AM before temps become bearable most of the year. Any thoughts or sources regarding a 12VDC timer?

How big is your battery? The O2 Cool fan I posted earlier in this thread draws 700 mA at 12v DC (.7 amps). We've run the fan on it's highest setting two nights in a row, all night long, with very little drain on the Odyssey 1500 battery we have on our trailer.

 

[Momrocks]

How big is your battery? The O2 Cool fan I posted earlier in this thread draws 700 mA at 12v DC (.7 amps). We've run the fan on it's highest setting two nights in a row, all night long, with very little drain on the Odyssey 1500 battery we have on our trailer.

It's a Red Top Optima, 2 years old, descent condition. I am very fearful of operating worklights, stereo, 2M etc. too much when parked. I should man up and assemble a proper dual battery set up so my neurosis wouldn't have such an effect on my liesure time. :drool: As all Cherokee owners will attest, every cubic inch of space is valuable. If you add a luxury, you will leave another luxury at home.

 

[kellymoe]

I bought a Mighty Kool swamp cooler from www.swampy.net I have used it in my truck for trips in the desert and if it is blowing on you it works great. If you want it to cool your entire cab there are other products that Swampy sells that would work much better. My kids actually complained that they were too cool while driving up the Owens Valley last week in 105 degree heat while in the front seat my wife and I were dripping with sweat. I will eventually buy a bigger unit that can cool the entire cab but for now this works great and draws very little power. I can run it off my 15w solar panel or off a small 12v battery at night in my tent. It feels luxuriuous to have cool air blowing on you at night instead of just recirculating hot air.

This is the unit set up in the truck for my kids.