Fan For Portable

[Fishinguy40]

I've heard a lot of talk about using a computer fan inside a portable to help move the air around. Any idea how long it will run if you're using a vex type battery?

I have an extra battery that I use now to run my LED's and I have reflectix along the roof, so I'm wondering how long a battery will last if I run a fan and LED's.

[Harv]

I bought a fan / led light combo from Gander Mtn. $25.00; I don't recall the name of it, I'm at work I can post it when I get home. Runs on 2 D batteries...you can adjust the fan hi / lo and/or have the light on or off.

Hooks to the top of your house.

[bogwalker]

I saw those fan/light combos at L M the other day. I wonder if you hang one above the hole in a portable if it would keep it from freezing over. They look as though they are well built. I don't know about the computer fan.

[Harv]

Bog--ya it looks pretty solid. For a couple extra bucks u get a "no questions asked" 1 year warranty....so who knows. I hope to be able to report this weekend!

[zamboni]

That fan/light is made by Clam. They are nice

[tunrevir]

You can also go the cheap route and tear out a fan from a junk car. I would imagine the clam fan will take less from your vex battery but if you are going to run a trolling motor battery then a car fan could be a cheap alternative depending on where you get it from. Just a thought.

Tunrevir~

[jigging-matt]

I just bought one of the clam lights also. Haven't put it to the test yet, but seems like a pretty nice product.

[zamboni]

If you get the bigger Clam light, take some electrical tape to the top. It is a great unit, but that battery compartment on mine kept coming off, so I fixed it permanently (well, until I take the tape off)

[nubote]

I got the small 15 dollar one. Uses AAAs. Small and works good for blowing warm air down from the ceiling.

[PierBridge]

I've heard a lot of talk about using a computer fan inside a portable to help move the air around. Any idea how long it will run if you're using a vex type battery?

I have an extra battery that I use now to run my LED's and I have reflectix along the roof, so I'm wondering how long a battery will last if I run a fan and LED's.

A very long time, the fan alone would run for 24 hours easy and probably longer.

I got sick of the D battery hassle of the Big Buddy. So after toasting the internal Buddy fan with 12 volts DOH! I thought about mounting a PC fan internally where the old one was but wised up and ended up mobile mounting a few PC fans onto plastic spring loaded `clamps.

Works slick I can have it/them mounted on the Buddy, Poles or just about anywhere....

Cell Phone Pics.

[zamboni]

Pier, I have ran my Buddy now for 3 seasons and I am quite sure I am on the same set of batteries I put in it when I bought it. Were you leaving yours on accidently or what? I know I did that once, then realized it a couple days, yes days, later. Still didn't drain them.

[Brad B]

the clam light/fan combos are great. I have both of them and have used the little one in my portable and it gives off a lot of light for something so small. I never had to use the fan yet. just remember the clam lights are 3 volt for the big one (2 D cells) and the small one uses 6 volts (4 double A cells)so hooking it up to a flasher battery would fry it.

[wahoo]

How long does the large Clam fan run before the batteries give out?

thanks

Wahoo

[Brad B]

wahoo I don't know for sure. I have only used my little one and that was only 1 time. I just plan to carry a spare set in my pocket.

[81Saluki]

I had also heard about using computer fans so I recently took a fan out of a really old computer sitting in the basement. Did a little research and found that:

Theoretical operating time (hours) at room temperature = battery capacity (amp-hours) divided by product's current draw (amps).

My vex-type battery is rated at 7.0 amp-hours (AH) and the fan draws 140 milliamps (mA). 1.0A (amp) = 1000mA (milliamps), so 140mA = 0.14A. Doing the math: 7/0.14 = 50. Therefore, theoretically, the fully-charged battery should power the fan for 50 hours. Adding a string of LEDs that draw 150mA = 7 / (0.14 + 0.15) = 24 hours.

NOTES: [1] cold temperatures decrease battery capacity; [2] current draw should be printed directly on the fan (e.g. 12V DC, 140mA); [3] battery capacity should have its rating printed directly on the battery (e.g. 12V, 7.0AH); [4] LED current draw should be printed on the packaging or in the Specifications section of the product's "operating instructions".

Hope that helps.

[DaSwede]

I just rigged two computer fans up in mine last night. Bolted the fans to a couple spring clamps and clamped it on the the front cross bar. Easy to put up and take down.

[Harmonica Bear]

is your basic computer fan 12 volt?

[JimBuck]

Yes, it is.

[DaSwede]

Yep...just rigged it up to my extra vex-type 12v battery and instant air movement!

[walleyeRyummy]

i used the larger clam model ($25) for the first time....it gave even light in my clam hub....i'm not sure how much the fan helped, but it is very quiet...the built in hook worked perfect...

beware of the buttons being accidently turned on while moving your stuff out to the lake....

[chris63]

Look at the fan on the body or housing of the fan it will tell you how many amps it draws.Then depending on the amp rating of your battery you will have to do the calculations on how long the battery will last.(Assuming it is in good shape and fully charged.)c63