Ener fans when no power

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StitchinTime

Member
I was thinking I needed a battery powered fan for when/if the power goes out. But most would run for max of 10-12 hours before needing recharged. with no power that would not be doable. So what do you all do...............? I mind the heat so need something. Is there a good solar charged fan?
 
phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
I have a few of these (from different brands)...

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They say it lasts 28 Hours on the lowest speed (it does not). I was looking for ones that have multiple speeds and a large internal battery, that can be charged via USB. That way I could charge it with a solar battery pack (generator), car port, etc.

I also have another one that is powered with C-Cell batteries. I have a set of C-Cells and adapters that allow me to use AA or AAA batteries in the fan in place of the C-Cells.

My main strategy is redundancies. Not looking for one fan that lasts a very long time, instead I have several. While one charging, another one is running. Also key for me is having multiple options for charging. So I have some with internal batteries that can be charged from any source that I can use a USB port; and I have others that can be charged with removeable batteries. I have rechargeable batteries and a large stock of single use alkaline batteries. I have adapters to covert most sizes.
 
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WalknTrot

Veteran Member
I use a couple of small battery powered fans, (both AA and D cell). They are made to sit close to a person, not blow through the whole house. If I'm up and working around the house, it's a matter of toughing it out until you can sit down in front of the fan and take a break. I'd advise getting one for each person in the family, and plenty of batteries. They can make a big difference.

Example: Last power outage a few weeks ago, the little fan made it livable to sit and read or be at the desk on the laptop. As long as the fan is close, a little breeze is a godsend. Haha..if you are looking for something to take the place of AC, it ain't gonna happen short of a good sized generator and all the hassle that may entail.
 
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hd5574

Veteran Member
We have neck fans.. they go right around your neck..usb rechargeable just move the hot air..
We have neck ac units that blow cool air...ours are by. ... coolify...usb....more expensive...but personal ac units do exist out there ....check Amazon
and one table or floor fan. ....it converts..also usb...
Have little baby genny that can charge them or the truck...
 
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mecoastie

Veteran Member
We have a 4in ryobi and the larger 10 in ryobi fans that run on 18v batteries. Love them both. Can charge the batteries in the car or using solar thru the ecoflow power pack. We are thinking of getting another 4" fan because they are so handy.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I have a couple sizes of battery operated fans and then I have a couple small ones that are usb powered. They all put out a good amount of air.
 
Caplock50

Caplock50

I am the Winter Warrior
Lol, I make my own. And I actually 'highly impressed' a General once while in the army with my 'air conditioned maw- deuce foxhole'. We were in the middle of a 'field exercise' when he came through 'inspecting' our unit. He and the group of officers walking with him stood and 'eyeballed' me sitting there in the shade working my fan to stay cool for a looong time. All he could do was smile and walk away shaking his head. Oh, and this happened in August, the hottest month of the year for Louisiana.

Very simply all I did was cut a piece of cardboard from a c rations box. I loosely tied it to the tree limb over the spot where I'd be sitting. I then tied a long piece of string to the bottom edge of the cardboard...and ran it behind me to another limb. I ran it over that limb and back to my sitting spot. Then all I had to do was pull and release the string...which made the cardboard swing back and forth...fanning me.

True story...and I was stationed at Fort Polk.
 
Caplock50

Caplock50

I am the Winter Warrior
Caplock50 said:
Lol, I make my own. And I actually 'highly impressed' a General once while in the army with my 'air conditioned maw- deuce foxhole'. We were in the middle of a 'field exercise' when he came through 'inspecting' our unit. He and the group of officers walking with him stood and 'eyeballed' me sitting there in the shade working my fan to stay cool for a looong time. All he could do was smile and walk away shaking his head. Oh, and this happened in August, the hottest month of the year for Louisiana.

Very simply all I did was cut a piece of cardboard from a c rations box. I loosely tied it to the tree limb over the spot where I'd be sitting. I then tied a long piece of string to the bottom edge of the cardboard...and ran it behind me to another limb. I ran it over that limb and back to my sitting spot. Then all I had to do was pull and release the string...which made the cardboard swing back and forth...fanning me.

True story...and I was stationed at Fort Polk.
Click to expand...

Try doing the same thing...with a little 'difference'. Put it all up on your porch and tie the end of the 'pull/release' string to the back of your rocking chair...

Edited to add:
Be sure to use a good sized piece of cardboard...and possibly add a little bit of weight to its bottom edge...
 
phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
mecoastie said:
We have a 4in ryobi and the larger 10 in ryobi fans that run on 18v batteries. Love them both. Can charge the batteries in the car or using solar thru the ecoflow power pack. We are thinking of getting another 4" fan because they are so handy.
Click to expand...

Oh. That is a great dual-purpose idea. Same batteries can be used for several select power tools. I had not thought about that. Thanks for the tip!

About how long does one of the fans operate with a fully charged 18v battery, in your experience?
 
AddisonRose

AddisonRose

On loan from Heaven
I got my battery operated fans from Walmart’s camping section. They run on D batteries. Too I now have a solar powered generator that will run small appliances when there’s no electricity. That will be including fans because I am in Texas.
 
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mecoastie

Veteran Member
phloydius said:
Oh. That is a great dual-purpose idea. Same batteries can be used for several select power tools. I had not thought about that. Thanks for the tip!

About how long does one of the fans operate with a fully charged 18v battery, in your experience?
Click to expand...
For the 4 inch I get 3-4 nights out of it on low setting and a 4 ah battery
 
paxsim2

paxsim2

Senior Member
I have battery operated and rechargeable fans. We have 2 solar charges for 2 of them. And one solar fan with light I bought awhile back.
 
Caplock50

Caplock50

I am the Winter Warrior
And what do you do should the power not come back on and all your batteries die?

"Prepare for the worst...then be happy/thankful when it doesn't happen"...
 
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mecoastie

Veteran Member
Millwright

Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
_______________
Longer term solution...

Find a 12v fan, get a little PV panel, charge controller & battery.

Fairly easy to math out.

Solar panel output -battery capacity-fan wattage.
 
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