12v fans
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Camfrano (sp?) are much quieter than Hellas, have 3 speeds and excellent customer service. I've had two that were stuck on low speed a couple of years after installation. Both were replaced free of charge, including the shipping. No hassles, they simply asked for the serail # on the fan and a new one was on the way. While 2 out of the 3 we have experienced the same fault, their overall quiet operation and customer service make me a fan.
Camframo fans are the highest rated marine fans
http://www.caframo.com/marine/marine_products_12voltfans.php
http://www.caframo.com/marine/marine_products_12voltfans.php
Caframo gets my vote also. It was hard parting with $100 for the first, but easier for the second after seeing how little amperage they drew and the amount of air they move.
I tried...
...the computer fans with no real luck. They move a little air, but not much. The couple I tried drew about ...
.... .130 amps (130 mA). You can feel it if it is...
...right next to you, but that is about it.
The Caframo...
... draws .210 amps or 210 mA on low. More than the computer fan, but still only 2.5 watts and there is no comparison on the air flow. On low it cools both of us ...
...in the V-berth. We never ran it on medium (.27 amps) or high (.34 amps). The other nice feature is the 2,4, 6 and 8 hour timer setting. We usually had it on 2 hours to get to sleep and if we woke later and were hot just reached up and pushed the button for another couple hours.
The other day we bought a O2 Cool 8 inch fan ...
...at walmart for about $15...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/O2-Cool-8-Battery-or-Electric-Portable-Fan/15992438?findingMethod=rr
.... It runs on D batteries or with the 110 to 12 volt inverter. The inverter outputs a max 500 mA at 12 volts. I'm going to cut the cord and put a cigarette lighter plug on it and see what it actually draws on low and high. It moves a lot of air also even on low. This could be a cheap alternative to the Caframo possibly. Not maine rated, but at 6 for the price of 1 that would give you some leeway.
More on the Caframo and computer fans here...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-31.html
Sum
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I tried...
...the computer fans with no real luck. They move a little air, but not much. The couple I tried drew about ...
.... .130 amps (130 mA). You can feel it if it is...
...right next to you, but that is about it.
The Caframo...
... draws .210 amps or 210 mA on low. More than the computer fan, but still only 2.5 watts and there is no comparison on the air flow. On low it cools both of us ...
...in the V-berth. We never ran it on medium (.27 amps) or high (.34 amps). The other nice feature is the 2,4, 6 and 8 hour timer setting. We usually had it on 2 hours to get to sleep and if we woke later and were hot just reached up and pushed the button for another couple hours.
The other day we bought a O2 Cool 8 inch fan ...
...at walmart for about $15...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/O2-Cool-8-Battery-or-Electric-Portable-Fan/15992438?findingMethod=rr
.... It runs on D batteries or with the 110 to 12 volt inverter. The inverter outputs a max 500 mA at 12 volts. I'm going to cut the cord and put a cigarette lighter plug on it and see what it actually draws on low and high. It moves a lot of air also even on low. This could be a cheap alternative to the Caframo possibly. Not maine rated, but at 6 for the price of 1 that would give you some leeway.
More on the Caframo and computer fans here...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-31.html
Sum
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links
I certainly agree with Caframo.. especially the Sirocco Model 807.. Tough to see $100 there, but as Sumner says, its low ampere draw and great frame and timer and three speed control blow the others away (uuhhh)
I bought one of the smaller O2Cool fans and the bearings failed after only one year.. Maybe I got a bad one..
I bought one of the smaller O2Cool fans and the bearings failed after only one year.. Maybe I got a bad one..
after wasting a few hundred bucks on caframo fans i found them to be way to delicate for use in a boat,none lasted more than a year,and wouldnt survive in rough water use as a handhold by a ten year old, i found using cheaper 110v walmart fans and a small 200-400 watt converter to be much more economical and they also move twice as much air.
We have been using Caframo fans on both of our boats for about ten years. We live aboard full time and when cruising there is no air conditioning. Our cruising grounds are from south Florida to the Caribbean. We are currently living in southwest Florida. Our Caframos often run 24 hours a day seven days a week. They run all day when we are plugged into the dock to circulate the AC through out the boat. We have NEVER had to replace one, some are ten years old, they use much less power than any other we have tried, and we have tried them all, and are by far the quietest. They were never designed to be a hand hold, as I don't know of any that are. Running 110 volt fans off of an inverter is a very inefficient use of precious power. Chuck
Ordered the sirroco fans today found them on line for 78 bucks called west marine and they price matched thanks
I know someone will dis me on this but, IF your power supply is good ditch the 12v and go with a good Vorano or Vortex fan run through an inverter. I have both kinds but mostly run an ice run evaporative unit during the summer, draws only .5aph and works well in our case. If you're running multi-day offshore this probably won't work, but for day sails and overnights with a dedicated battery it works for well.
Sumner.....Let me know how that O2 fan works with a 12 plug. I saw one at Lowes today and it would be interesting to see how it worked. It says it will run a long time on the batteries.
Bad:
We have an O2. When we are at the dock we just plug it in to the 12v outlet. It is nice for the cockpit when we have a hot day. I have not measured how long it lasts but it is impressive. Their warranty was not very good, but may have improved.
Guys just some comparative data points:
Vornado (small household fan) via a 400W inverter =
High - 5.1A X 8 Hours = 40.8 Ah's
Med - 3.75A X 8 Hours = 30 Ah's
Low 2.25A X 8 Hours = 18 Ah's
Bora Caframo
High - 0.22A X 8 Hours = 1.76 Ah's
There is a HUGE difference in battery consumption between a 12V Caframo fan and using a home fan through an inverter. Our small Vornado would take a 100Ah bank to it max depth of discharge in less than 8 hours use, if out cruising.. In contrast it would take 182 hours of use, or 7.6 days, with the Caframo to equal just 8 hours of using a Vornado...
So, run a Vornado for 8 hours or run a Bora Caframo for 7.6 days!!!!!! Same power consumption....!!!
Our Bora Caframo fans run all winter long to keep air circulating in the cabin while she is stored. They are 6 years old so I suspect they are pretty darn reliable...
Vornado (small household fan) via a 400W inverter =
High - 5.1A X 8 Hours = 40.8 Ah's
Med - 3.75A X 8 Hours = 30 Ah's
Low 2.25A X 8 Hours = 18 Ah's
Bora Caframo
High - 0.22A X 8 Hours = 1.76 Ah's
There is a HUGE difference in battery consumption between a 12V Caframo fan and using a home fan through an inverter. Our small Vornado would take a 100Ah bank to it max depth of discharge in less than 8 hours use, if out cruising.. In contrast it would take 182 hours of use, or 7.6 days, with the Caframo to equal just 8 hours of using a Vornado...
So, run a Vornado for 8 hours or run a Bora Caframo for 7.6 days!!!!!! Same power consumption....!!!
Our Bora Caframo fans run all winter long to keep air circulating in the cabin while she is stored. They are 6 years old so I suspect they are pretty darn reliable...
I use Caframo fans too. There was a display at WM where you could try all the fans...I found that noise level and air movement have quite the curve. The more quiet, the less air. The more noise, the more air. No, I don't have any scientific evidence of measured air volume and decibel levels. I just stood in front of each one and felt the air and listened to the noise.
I chose the Ultimate Model 757 for my V berth. It's pretty noisy, but not too bad...but it moves alot of air! I'm also used to the sounds of a fan while I sleep, so it's comforting. It moved the most air of all the fans on display.
I like the Sirocco models for the main cabin because of how nice they are, and super quiet, but even on high don't move near the air of the Ultimate model. They still move alot of air compared to other fans on display. They were also the most expensive.
I'm going to put another Ultimate 757 in the quarterberth.
I chose the Ultimate Model 757 for my V berth. It's pretty noisy, but not too bad...but it moves alot of air! I'm also used to the sounds of a fan while I sleep, so it's comforting. It moved the most air of all the fans on display.
I like the Sirocco models for the main cabin because of how nice they are, and super quiet, but even on high don't move near the air of the Ultimate model. They still move alot of air compared to other fans on display. They were also the most expensive.
I'm going to put another Ultimate 757 in the quarterberth.
I got a 12v trucker's fan at a truck stop for $24.95. Even on low it pushes a lot of air. Don't know yet about longevity, or amp draw. It hasn't been hot enough to need it for long periods.
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