Simple question about outlet in van

[SilverVoyager]

My new, used, van has a plug so that, the salesman said, I can use to plug in household appliances. If the engine is off and I plug in a tiny fan, about 5" diameter, how long can I safely run the thing and still have plenty of juice to start the motor. One hour? Two? More?
Thanks in advance. And AAA thanks you too!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Probably several hours, and it likely has a low voltage circuit so it will shut off the outlet if the battery voltage drops too much. It should leave enough to start the engine.

But, you should verify that before you test this theory in the middle of nowhere!

 

[highdesertranger]

need more info,
how many batteries?
what type of battery(s)?
how many watts does the fan draw?
highdesertranger

 

[SilverVoyager]

Sorry highdesertranger, I don't know. It's just the one battery that starts the van, I don't have any extras. I am under the impression that if I ran a fan or something small and non heating device while I'm driving it would run forever. The salesman said that the guys use these outlets to run blenders to make drinks, but I believe about 10% of what salesman say.
I spent some time in Big Girl this weekend and the main problem I have is ventilation.
She's a Chevy Express 2500, the only windows are the driver and passenger which I cracked about 3" each. So if I had just a little air blowing into the back it would be wonderful.
It would be cool to have an extra battery in the back, but then I'd have to charge it somehow. Is there such a thing as a battery that I could plug into a house outlet to charge?

 

[tx2sturgis]

Those little 5" AC fans don't pull that much power....the ones I have are rated at 36 watts, which is just over half of what one headlight pulls.

With a factory starter battery in good condition, you should get many hours of use while the engine is off. And there is probably a low voltage disconnect incorporated into that built-in inverter.

As I said, I would test it...or look in the manual for the specifics on that AC outlet.

Another option is something like an O2Cool battery powered fan, but then of course you will be replacing batteries occasionally.

 

[SilverVoyager]

I found on Amazon a small fan that has a rechargeable battery. The reviews were good and they say it will almost run all night if set and n low. In the desert it doesn't really have to run all night anyway. It's charged like a smart phone/iPad so I can charge it up at home before I head out and I have USB chargers so I can charge it while I travel.
For $15 it is cheap and simple, just my style!
I also ordered a windshield sun shield made to fit the make, model and year of my van, so that will help with heat and privacy. I found that with my current too small sunshield in place and the large tall backed seats, it feels very private. I'm going to hang an old blanket in the back windows when needed even thou they are tinted.
I'm going to check on that shut off thing if I use too much of the battery though, that would be important to know. Thank you

 

[user 37446]

With so little information to go on it's really hard to say - OP needs to give us the info on the label from the fan, tell us if the plug remains "hot" all the time or does it shut off either immediately or after a certain time (10 minutes is common). 

Car starter batteries don't often tell us reserve capacity, usually only the CCA which doesn't help.  In general they stink at long duration power draws, being made mainly for short bursts/large current draws to run the starter.

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Those little 5" AC fans don't pull that much power....the ones I have are rated at 36 watts, which is just over half of what one headlight pulls.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I've killed a couple of starter batteries from just leaving a stupid dome light on overnight. It wasn't LED so that's why it drew so much, but the starter battery was flat the next morning. I think it was a 10 watt incandescent bulb, that's about 800 ma. That plus the other phantom loads on the car (clock, computer) can easily drain a partially charged battery, especially an older one. Remember that starter batteries rarely are at 100%.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I wouldn't run anything off my starter battery for any length of time (like an hour or more) without either having a fully charged jump starter, or knowing that the power draw was less than one amp. The usb powered fans often are .2 or .3 amp draw, the 12v ciggie types more.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Here's the specs for a USB and battery model: Vitalitim VF01 Desktop USB and Battery Dual Power [/font] $18.99
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Specifications
Power Supply: DC 5V/4*AA dry battery
Speed Mode: One Speed
Output Power: 2.0W[/font]


[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Here's a spendy ($75) model:[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze - 12 Volt Fan: [/font]

• 12 Volt plug with 5' cord, 
  • Low amp draw: 1.2 - 2.6

and yet another cheaper one ($12.99):

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=medium]SENPAIC

Desk Personal Fan USB Table Portable Fan(2 Speed, 4 Inch,Quietness)(Black)
[/size][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Power: 2.5W[/font]

So you can see the usb powered ones draw very little, of course they don't cool well either.

 

[tx2sturgis]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I've killed a couple of starter batteries from just leaving a stupid dome light on overnight. It wasn't LED so that's why it drew so much, but the starter battery was flat the next morning. I think it was a 10 watt incandescent bulb, that's about 800 ma. That plus the other phantom loads on the car (clock, computer) can easily drain a partially charged battery, especially an older one. Remember that starter batteries rarely are at 100%.[/font]

I agree completely but the assumption was that the little fan would not be running all night...only for a few hours. 

I can see where it might drain a marginal battery if left on all night. So again, common sense is needed. 

And you made a good point about the auto-shutoff...heck, my in-dash radio and dome lights even do that, which is why I stated the OP should check the vehicle manual or do some testing.

 

[Tool Amour]

Another option might be one of the battery powered fans from Amazon--I've got one that runs off D cell batteries and moves the air pretty well.

 

[SilverVoyager]

We have a second hand store nearby and they almost always have battery powered fans for sale BUT they price these at about $10. If they would charge a dirty old used fan at $2 I would buy it. Then my husband found, I forgot the name, but some kind of very good and valuable fishing rod for $15. I guess that is why these stores are fun to shop in.
As Cartman would say.....trrreeaasuurre.