Camping Fans

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 14:11
ThreadID: 30776 Views:13585 Replies:9 FollowUps:16
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Does anyone use a 12v or battery powered fan in their tent when camping? If so, brands to get or to stay clear of would be a great help. I am looking for something for camping in the Territory during the Wet when the humidity is fairly high.
Thanks
Drew
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Reply By: flappa - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 14:33

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 14:33
I bought a cheap 12v fan from Supercheap about 2 years ago for use in our CT. Its about 9inch diameter , and cost about $20.

Nothing fancy , but works OK. Oscilates (sp) and has a large clip (oversize peg) which clips onto the internal CT poles. I would go it again.

I have seen the better all metal ones available from caravan places , and were about $50 from memory.
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Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:27

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:27
Watt whatage?
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Follow Up By: flappa - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:36

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:36
What ?

Lol . . .
Not sure , I'll try a check tonight.
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Follow Up By: Drew - Karratha - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 16:12

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 16:12
Thanks Flappa
I just rang Supercrap, and they only have the 'old school' type in the metal frame with the blue blades which doesnt have a clip on the back, or one that plugs directly into the cigarette lighter socket. Neither of these appear to be what I'm after, so will have to try the caravan places...
Thanks
Drew
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Follow Up By: myfourby - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 22:47

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 22:47
Flappa - you're spot on - we had the same problem heading up north - a good old supercheap fan was the best $20 we ever spent!

We just attached the bracket to the upright pole in the tent and ran a cable to the fourby - life was good after that (or bearable at least!)

We ran it all night long on the 2nd battery with the fridge on as well - battery would be close to dead in the morning - but that wasn't a problem if we were driving the next day. Up north when its hot - you've got 2 choices when it comes to power- drive every day or run a gennie most of the day - or spend quite a few nights at caravan parks.

-myforuby
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Reply By: revhead307 - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 14:39

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 14:39
I have 2 x 240V 15cm desk fans. they are 18W each.

they run off an inverter...

probably not the most energy efficient way...but works well for us...

$10 each from target.

Rev
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Reply By: evila - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:55

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:55
Hi Drew,

We have a coleman stand tent fan (the bigger one) powered by 4 D batteries.

It is very good for the size altough not as good as a full size one.

Cheers,

Henry.-
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Follow Up By: Drew - Karratha - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:57

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:57
Thanks Henry
How long does it last on the batterys, and how much are the fans?
Drew
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Follow Up By: evila - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 16:08

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 16:08
Hi Drew,

Bateries last about 3 days of all night operation, and the fan was about $25 when we bought it.

Cheers,

Henry.-
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Reply By: DesC - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 18:14

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 18:14
i bought a battery op fan out of Soterion in Melbourne and it lasts 120 hrs on low fan. Works rather well.
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Reply By: Mike DiD - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 19:40

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 19:40
I use a 12cm Computer-style fan (ballbearings) from Jaycar - costs $30 and uses 4 watts.

Mike
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Follow Up By: phil - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 16:21

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 16:21
There is a computer recycling service near here and they just throw out all the 12 volt fans because they have no use as plastic. They are mostly the smaller ones in power supplies, but there are also some larger ones in the outer case. Good for blowing air over fridge condensors also.

Phil I
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Follow Up By: Drew - Karratha - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:58

Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:58
Phil
I have a computer fan in the back of the cruiser sucking the hot air out from above the Engel. They are great as they dont use hardly any battery power (.2amps from memory) but for the tent I think I will need something a bit bigger that blows a bit more air.
Drew
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Reply By: Andrew from TrekTable - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 21:51

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 21:51
Drew,

I've used the all plastic Hella fans in my boat. They are quite rugged and used in trucks & boats. You can get them from most chandleries and they work just great.

They have 2 speeds and draw 6 Watts on high speed (from memory). But they aren't cheap. $120 from memory. But there's not much choice in a marine environment if you want something rugged, reliable & non-rusting.

Andrew
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Reply By: JustyWhyalla - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 21:56

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 21:56
For those not going to the tropics you can also get a small evaporative cooler. (lion make them I think) available at most auto parts stores.

We use a 12v fan bought from a cheap shop, about 5 years old now.
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Follow Up By: myfourby - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 22:42

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 22:42
Evap coolers can make things worse in the tropics as its only putting more moisture in the air. I've seen the units you are talking about and was warned against using them up north.

Stick with a standard supercheap fan

myfourby
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Follow Up By: Member - mikeyandmary (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 00:15

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 00:15
We tried one of these evaporative coolers when we travelled Sydney to Perth in summer 2003/04. It was totally useless. Bought it in Orange and had replaced it in Broken Hill with the old-fashioned 12V fan (blue fins and metal cage). As mentioned earlier, best $20 ever spent. We ran the fan and 40L engel each night without battery problems (we were driving for at least 3 hours each day though)..

Have fun and stay cool
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 01:04

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 01:04
I bought one of the personal evap coolers off ebay...peice of @#%#. wasnt even decent as a fan.

So now we run the fans above.

Rev
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Follow Up By: JustyWhyalla - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 13:26

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 13:26
if you read the comment it was FOR THOSE NOT GOING to the tropics.

Having lived in Darwin for eight years would not suggest anyone try evaporative anything up there.
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Follow Up By: Member - mikeyandmary (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 17:34

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 17:34
JustyWhyalla... NO NEED TO SHOUT!!!

I agree, for those going to the tropics an evaporative cooler will not work. Your comment was "For those not going to the tropics you can also get a small evaporative cooler". I was replying to this comment!!!

Just so we're all clear about my experience with evaporative coolers:

In the tropics... They won't cool you down.

In drier climates... THEY SUCK...

A fan is much more effective.
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Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 07:27

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 07:27
My wife uses a palm leaf but her arm gets tired so I let her have a rest every 5 hours .LOL

All the best
Eric

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Follow Up By: Nebster - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 09:50

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 09:50
Same here, my wife is the best investment Ive ever made. ;)

Hope she doesnt see that you are giving breaks every 5 hours but ! , or I'll have an industrial dispute on my hands. LOL
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 22:07

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 22:07
I hear Motel 8 is cheap, and comes with Air Conditioning
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Follow Up By: tonysmc - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 18:33

Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 18:33
Pity there is no Motel 8 in the territory then because nothing is cheap up here.
Depends where you are going to go, but you will find not many other campers around if any and you may be better off with a cheap genny and a couple of standard 240 volt fans. I would also suggest the "noseeum" instead off standard fly screens as the mozzies WILL get in unless you do. If you expect to be out while there are still storms around try and keep your bed off the ground because in those big storms no tent will stay dry.
Going for the fishing?

Cheers Tony.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 23:29

Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 23:29
Woosh...
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