Looking for a Really Good Fan / Air Circulator

[jasonafeder2]

I'm surprised that I can't find an existing thread about this. I live in Florida. It's perfect this time of year, but it will be HOT and HUMID in a month or two. I have been shopping online for a great, powerful fan, but I would feel safer getting a referral from an experienced Van-Lifer. There are so many choices, and it has been my experience that online reviews are pretty hit-or-miss for every imaginable product. Rechargeable is probably best, but I don't know for sure. I don't have a power station yet, but I'll probably get one within the next 6 weeks before the tempature starts rising!

 

[abnorm]

I lived in Florida...............What's the vehicle ?

IMHO.....You need a roof mounted fan........I like a Max-Air fan deluxe cause you can keep it open in the rain

 

[jasonafeder2]

I lived in Florida...............What's the vehicle ?

IMHO.....You need a roof mounted fan........I like a Max-Air fan deluxe cause you can keep it open in the rain

I have a Honda Odyssey. It's not a large space, and I would rather not cut a hole in the roof of the van. I want a powerful fan to blow on me when needed.

 

[Happy Camper]

Something like this might work for you. The one I used to recommend isn't anymore anymore. This has decent reviews and send to last a long time. One of the things I like about mine is that it uses two 18650 batteries there you can charge via micro USB or just switch out. This one has a large battery but it isn't removable. From the reviews I read it seems to do what you want.

I will say this though. I would rather have a larger fan on low moving the same amount of air as a smaller fan on high.

Camping Fan with LED Lantern, 10400mAh 9-Inch Rechargeable Outdoor Tent Fan, 270°Head Rotation, Stepless Speed and Quiet Battery Operated USB Fan for Picnic, Barbecue, Fishing, Travel https://a.co/d/eWefDc5

 

[jasonafeder2]

Something like this might work for you. The one I used to recommend isn't anymore anymore. This has decent reviews and send to last a long time. One of the things I like about mine is that it uses two 18650 batteries there you can charge via micro USB or just switch out. This one has a large battery but it isn't removable. From the reviews I read it seems to do what you want.

I will say this though. I would rather have a larger fan on low moving the same amount of air as a smaller fan on high.

Camping Fan with LED Lantern, 10400mAh 9-Inch Rechargeable Outdoor Tent Fan, 270°Head Rotation, Stepless Speed and Quiet Battery Operated USB Fan for Picnic, Barbecue, Fishing, Travel https://a.co/d/eWefDc5

I recognize this one as one of the models I have been looking at. Thank you for your input

 

[bullfrog]

If you have Ryobi 18 volt tools and their vehicle charger they make a fan that works on their batteries as well as 110 volt AC and also an 18 volt mister fan if you go to dry climates later on.

 

[jasonafeder2]

If you have Ryobi 18 volt tools and their vehicle charger they make a fan that works on their batteries as well as 110 volt AC and also an 18 volt mister fan if you go to dry climates later on.

@bullfrog You know, with all the time I have spent trying to find the perfect fan for me, the Ryobi looks like it would be best, so far. It's a little pricey compared to others (since I don't already have a battery and charger) but I should probably not skimp on a fan. Keeping cool when the hot months come back is one of my biggest concerns. I wonder how much air it moves. Hardly any of the fans online state their CFM's (cubic feet per minute).

 

[jacqueg]

I have this one - https://www.vornado.com/shop/made-in-usa/circulators/610-medium-air-circulator

Not cheap, but it moves a lot of air. I can run it from my Jackery. Fans are, surprisingly, low draw when they are running.

I used to have an OPolar, which a lot of people like, but I found that I was happier with a larger fan. Smaller fans are fine if you only want something to point at your face.

 

[bullfrog]

The Ryobi has two speeds high and low and will run 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high on their 4amp battery and doesn’t move as much air as a cheap 110 volt box fan. Probably about 1/3 to 1/2 as much and is fairly loud. I use it to circulate hot air in my 7’x7’ truck camper in the winter and it does a good job. Since I’m in a dry climate I use the mister fan outside in the shade on the days when it is over 100 degrees in the desert. It uses quite a bit of water as it sits on a five gallon bucket and I fill it sometimes twice a day but it keeps you wet but cool. The batteries and charger are expensive and can be used in all the Ryobi One 18 volt tools. I carry the inflator for tire repairs, a couple of desk lamps, a spot light, an impact driver and a drill which I power with two of their large batteries and charge with a vehicle charger. I wouldn’t recommend paying so much for batteries and vehicle charger for just the fan as there are fans that do almost as good that can be powered off a 12volt house battery for a longer period of time. If you need lights and a tire inflator as well or any of the various Ryobi tools or gadgets (like their power station) and there are many then it would be worth it in my opinion. I basically ran my whole camping setup off them for 3 years. I wanted to try the new battery technology without paying so much. I would suggest you buy them through Home Depot with the warranty and use the Home Depot credit card as they are not the highest quality and this way can be easily replaced in any Home Depot easily. They fit my budget and got the job done but I did have to replace a few.

 

[Happy Camper]

I can second that the Ryobi misting fan is great. I've had one for years and they will keep you cooler in the summer. Do not use the misting function in your van. It will soak everything, as it's not a super fine mist.

If I could find the other rechargable fan I mentioned before, I would suggest having both. The Ryobi is a little bulky for inside the van to me, but might be perfect for you. You can find them at home Depot and see how the size works for you.

Bullfrog, for Ryobi batteries, and even tools, I strongly suggest swap meets. Most tool sellers and buyers fixate on DeWalt, Milwaukee, and other commercial grade brands.

Ryobi can be had for pennies on the dollar with a little haggling because they aren't in high demand, and are already cheaper new.

 

[maki2]

I have a 10 inch O2COOL rechargeable fan. It can be used on 12v or 110v or run on the built in battery. It runs at the lower of 2 speeds on battery power. It puts out strong, full speed airflow on 12v and 110v or runs at the lower speed option. They are sold on Amazon.

It has been a huge help on days in the 90s in Arizona spring and fall. Of course on those days I hang a small, damp micro fiber, wash cloth on the front to get that cool mist effect from it.

 

[jasonafeder2]

The Ryobi has two speeds high and low and will run 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high on their 4amp battery and doesn’t move as much air as a cheap 110 volt box fan. Probably about 1/3 to 1/2 as much and is fairly loud. I use it to circulate hot air in my 7’x7’ truck camper in the winter and it does a good job. Since I’m in a dry climate I use the mister fan outside in the shade on the days when it is over 100 degrees in the desert. It uses quite a bit of water as it sits on a five gallon bucket and I fill it sometimes twice a day but it keeps you wet but cool. The batteries and charger are expensive and can be used in all the Ryobi One 18 volt tools. I carry the inflator for tire repairs, a couple of desk lamps, a spot light, an impact driver and a drill which I power with two of their large batteries and charge with a vehicle charger. I wouldn’t recommend paying so much for batteries and vehicle charger for just the fan as there are fans that do almost as good that can be powered off a 12volt house battery for a longer period of time. If you need lights and a tire inflator as well or any of the various Ryobi tools or gadgets (like their power station) and there are many then it would be worth it in my opinion. I basically ran my whole camping setup off them for 3 years. I wanted to try the new battery technology without paying so much. I would suggest you buy them through Home Depot with the warranty and use the Home Depot credit card as they are not the highest quality and this way can be easily replaced in any Home Depot easily. They fit my budget and got the job done but I did have to replace a few.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a reply

 

[jasonafeder2]

I have a 10 inch O2COOL rechargeable fan. It can be used on 12v or 110v or run on the built in battery. It runs at the lower of 2 speeds on battery power. It puts out strong, full speed airflow on 12v and 110v or runs at the lower speed option. They are sold on Amazon.

It has been a huge help on days in the 90s in Arizona spring and fall. Of course on those days I hang a small, damp micro fiber, wash cloth on the front to get that cool mist effect from it.

This one has a lot of great reputation. I hope I can get the right one. I've seen prices ranging from $20-$50 online and they seem to be the same product.

 

[GomerPile]

This is the fan you want: https://amzn.to/3wqyy3Z

the reason you want it is efficiency....it draws 2, 3, & 4 watts for each speed (L, M, H). Probably the most efficient fan I have found. I think located it on a boat forum many years ago. The one I have is 10 years old and the buttons are worn out (so I hotwired it), might buy a new one.

 

[bagabum]

My goto camping fan, good sleeping white noise also, highly portable, moves a lot of air, 3 speeds. https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Produc...1_4?keywords=dc+fan+12v&qid=1674603967&sr=8-4

 

[Happy Camper]

I was going to get this fan. But trying to find storage space for the palm leaf was too difficult. Then there's the extra food costs...

 

[gkb2016]

Being in Florida, it's probably going to be miserable sleeping *with* a MaxxFan, I shudder to think about not having one. It doesn't feel great even when I slept in my van in a Kansas summer (around 72 degrees at night and pretty humid) with the MaxxFan and a fan in the interior. You'd probably need multiple regular fans and some sort of jerry rigged system to get close to the amount of airflow (while still keeping bugs out). If you can cut the hole I'd do it.

During the day I couldn't imagine being in the van much without the AC blasting.

 

[LargeMarge]

...IMHO.....You need a roof mounted fan........I like a Max-Air fan deluxe cause you can keep it open in the rain

.
We are founding members of the No! Holes! In! The! Ceiling! club.
.
re -- Maxx-style fans
We acquired two for a food-truck.
We mounted them vertical on opposite walls.
Last we heard, they are still going strong.

 

[LargeMarge]

We have several Craftsman 20v battery-operated tools, including a chain-saw.
We use this Craftsman fan; a two-amp battery lasts most of a couple-three nights on 'LOW', and we have a full battery next to it as a spare:
www.acehardware.com/departments/heating-and-cooling/portable-and-exhaust-fans/household-fans/2005832?x429=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic-shopping&utm_campaign=organic-shopping
.
The head tilts, we place it on a wire-shelf so it blows down onto the bed.
.
.
Our Craftsman 20v series of tools includes our new shower system, described someplace in this bizarre bunch of blathering about our rig:
https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/expeditionvehicle-build.44908/#post-576110

 

[maki2]

This one has a lot of great reputation. I hope I can get the right one. I've seen prices ranging from $20-$50 online and they seem to be the same product.

Regarding that 02cool fan price range.
You have to to be careful and pay attention to the included features. There is more than one model of that fan, the cost difference is based on the feature. The less expensive one does not have a rechargeable battery built into it as well as a USB outlet you can power things such as phones and little lights with. Some versions have 110v cords as well as 12v cords, others only have a 12v power cord. Some versions are DC battery powered only.

The above and where you buy the fan from accounts for the big price difference.

I was fortunate to find a rechargeable version in a Quartzsite thrift store out back in an odds and ends pile. It was caked with dirt and had no power cords. But as is typical of thrift stores they had piles of power adapters and cords. So $10.00 and some cleaning time got me the best model being sold by 02Cool.

That is the second time I have found a 10” 02Cool fan in a thrift store. The first one I found was the basic model. After I found the second one I donated it to a person in great need of a fan who had a shortage of income and a shortage of electrical power. He had been running a tiny 110v fan off a small inverter but that was drawing down his little portable power station battery way too fast. When I saw him 6 months later he said that fan had literally changed his life as to comfort.