12v fan

[Juneaudave]

Pour some pickle juice on that thing for overnight. I heard that once you got pickled, you would wake up the next morning (or not), feel good (or not), and be ready to run all day (or not). Either way, you've solved your problem with the fan.

[AlaskaJack]

So here it is, almost a year later.... and I'm wondering the outcome of Chip's fan problem??
...and if possible, some update from other users! (Are these little fans still working???) Having just spoted these at the local WM I am thinking about getting one. I'll prolly just use one of those "jump start" battery packs.... as my tear is quite spartan, with no wiring at all except for stop/signal and clearance lights.

[AlaskaJack]

Nothing???

[surveytech]

Jack mine is working just fine. I plug it in to either the 110 outlet or 12 volt outlet depending on where I am.
The company that makes them is called O2 Cool. They now have a model at wally world that comes with a small rechargeable battery that will power the unit for about 3 hours. They also just introduced a portable personal air conditioner (think swamp cooler).

www.o2-cool.com

[AlaskaJack]

Jack mine is working just fine. I plug it in to either the 110 outlet or 12 volt outlet depending on where I am.
The company that makes them is called O2 Cool. They now have a model at wally world that comes with a small rechargeable battery that will power the unit for about 3 hours. They also just introduced a portable personal air conditioner (think swamp cooler).

www.o2-cool.com

Thanks for the info!

[S. Heisley]

More Info on the O2Cool Fan that may be helpful to some of you:

In reading the information on the electrical converter that came with my square 10", it states that it converts AC power to 2 amps DC power. I also have a regular 8" car fan. The writing on it says it uses 0.8 amps. That's less than half the amperage usage plus it oscillates!

Also, this morning, when I was in Wal-Mart, I found that O2Cool has put out a new tent fan. (Sorry, I forgot to look at the price.) I took the thing out of the box and read the information that comes with it. The fan is black and about 9" in diameter (guessed) and can be permanently mounted in a vehicle or used in a tent with the battery stand that comes with it. It does not come with either an AC converter or a 12V cord but both can be ordered from the company by filling out a form and mailing it along with $$. While the company now offers both these features for a price, they also state that the fan works best with the 'D' cell batteries. They also state that using the wrong power cord adaptor (not theirs) may have serious consequences. It states that the fan uses 12 volts but will still run if it has less, albeit slower.
...Just thought you'd like to know....

[madjack]

In reading the information on the electrical converter that came with my square 10", it states that it converts AC power to 2 amps DC power. I also have a regular 8" car fan. The writing on it says it uses 0.8 amps. That's less than half the amperage usage plus it oscillates!

Sharon, something about the above, stood up and waved at me...to keep your thoughts on this straight(no offense meant by that)...the 8" fan has writing on it...the .08...probably correct power rating for fan...BUT...the 2amps listed for the power converter, is what the converter is capable of supplying...not what is actually being used...what is being used is what the 10" fan calls for...which is probably similar to the smaller fan........
madjack

[S. Heisley]

I'm just learning the way DC works, so please be patient.

It doesn't make sense to me that the company would use a converter that supplies 2 amps unless that's the best they could do with it, which is a possibility. Since the converter is supplied by the company, I would think it's got to be safe. ...Hmmmm....I'll see what else I can find out.

If an AC power surge takes place, it can fry some electronics. Is this also possible with DC power, if too much power is fed to a DC electronic device, like this fan?

[S. Heisley]

Okay, as promised, I now have the correct answers and you were right, MadJack, the fan does use less amps than I stated. But, I also uncovered a problem that people should know about; so, please read to the end of this communication.

I found that I did, make a couple mistakes and I doubt they will be my last ones. (Anybody would think I was human ! ) But, there is a distinct possibility that several of us out there have made the similar mistakes without even knowing it.

1) I quoted the wrong amps on the converter as I was reading the wrong package. The converter for O2Cool converts 120 AC to 700 mA. That is 700 thousands of 1 amp.

2) The package I read from was the Radio Shack car power adapter. The one I was sold provides 2 amps of power to the accessory and the O2Cool company confirmed that this could be a problem.

This morning, I called the O2Cool Company and talked to a customer service representative. She told me that many people had been purchasing car power adapters for their O2Cool fans and that this has been causing problems with the units:

- Running backwards
- Burning out the motors

She further stated that, for the above reasons, the company had developed their own power adapter, which has had extensive testing with their units.

Starting tomorrow, you can call the customer service center at 1-800-200-2665 to request an O2Cool car power adapter be shipped to your address. (Do not call today as the person who will be taking the orders will not be available until tomorrow.) Of course, there will be a small fee for the adapter; but, you'll know you'll have one that works correctly with your fan.

I hope this helps clarify things and saves others from problems and fan failures.

[MOKI SEAKER]

Sounds like O2 Cool is planning on saleing a lot of car adapters. I have mine direct wired to my 12V system. I think other people do also. I don't see how we can use an adapter. I have not had any problems with my unit but I don't have to many hours on it yet. I am sure that others who have them wired direct will responed. Tks, Jim G

[bobhenry]

I have what is left of the ac / dc / and battery unit. The problem of using it direct with far more amperage than is needed is that it fries the circuit board. When mine died I removed the battery pack and tossed the circuit board and wired 12 v direct to the motor. It continues to live and will be used in my barn build as a intake / exhaust fan. Yes you can make it exhaust by reversing the hot and ground wires. Because of the design and pitch of the blades the exhaust mode is about 1/2 of the cfm that you get in the fan mode. A simple double pole double throw switch is all that is needed. wire hot and ground to the center 2 posts and connect the out board terminals opposite of each other. Tadah intake and exhaust. I removed the outer housing completely and have about an 8 ounce fan all that is left is the motor , cage and the blades.

[S. Heisley]

If you've wired it directly to your 12V system, you've already negated the warranty anyway. You probably don't want to undo it either. As you know from the previous posts, I'm just learning about DC wiring but I'm thinking that maybe you could either add a resistor/regulator or just keep a close watch on it? If it burns out, a new unit doesn't cost that much....

I think I've seen where a few people have written about problems with their fans, here on the forum. Actually, I'm surprised the company hasn't publicized this problem with the media or something. It could be marketing hog wash; but, if it is to sell adapters, wouldn't the company have the adapter out on the market instead of offering it if you call in or mail a form to them if you happen to see their write-up inside one of the new fan boxes? I think it may be a 'CYA" move.

...Just my thoughts on the subject....