eco fan

blackfish · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:52 am Post subject: eco fan

hello all

thinking of getting a two blade eco fan for the boat
I remember some one mentioning they had one

any thoughts on how well they work and where it would get placed?

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:14 am Post subject:

blackfish-

I don't have one, but remember the discussion you're talking about.

Most all the owners of the fan were very favorablly impressed and satisfied with it.

Most folks were using the eco fan to aid in circulation of their Wallas stove. They preferred it's quiet operation, and set the fan on top of the Wallas stove's cooking surface.

Wherever you use it, it has to be setting on a hot surface, as it works by conducting heat from it's foot up to the radiation/cooling fins behind the fan blades and generating electricity to turn the blades in the process.

As I remember, some of the Brats with the fan had the two blade model, and some owned the three blade one.

Moose/Al was one of the folks who had one and was very happy with it. If he doesn't see this thread, send him a PM and ask him about it.

For those who are wondering about this fan, here's a LINK to one supplier.

Joe. Teeth

Model 800 (left) and 802

More Information:

This unique freestanding heat-powered fan is designed to improve the efficiency of a wood stove by circulating the warm air produced by the stove. When placed on top of a heated surface, the Ecofan generates its own electricity. Temperatures of operation range from 150 degrees to 700 degrees Farenheit. The Ecofan does not use any batteries or external electrical connections.

The fan has a thermoelectric module which acts as a small generator to power the fan's motor. When this generator module experiences a heat differential between its top and bottom surfaces, it creates electricity. The bottom surface of the module is heated by the wood stove, while the top of the module is kept cool by the fan's top cooling fins. The speed of the fan varies with the stovetop temperature; on average, Ecofan Model 800 circulates 100 cubic feet of air per minute, while Ecofan Model 802 circulates 150 cubic feet of air per minute.

flrockytop · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:16 am Post subject:

I'm sure Bob Austin will give you the details when he comes online next, but until then... I do not have one but Bob does. I was at his house the other day and saw it. He said he was very pleased with it.

Roger

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:

I ordered and received one from HD. Tried it out on my elec range with the smooth glass cooktop but was afraid to turn it up too high. It hasn't spun yet but I'm sure it will.

Charlie

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:54 am Post subject: Ecofan FAN

Charlie,

We have one for the boat, and one for the wood stove in the house. Yes, they work!!!! I just got a Cabela's camping catalog that had them advertised for $99 (the 2 blade version), which is less than what I paid, or so I believe. I ordered mine through Cabela's.

They are quiet, have no current draw on the house battery, and do the job. Put it on the cooler burner and let it rip.

Steve

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

They were (maybe still are) on sale at Home Despot for less than $50 which is why I bought one. Don't really NEED it but, as I explain to Sally when I do stuff like this, I might NEED one someday, and then I've already got one! Wink

Charlie

CatyMae n Steve · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject:

We first saw one on Wandering Sagebrush's boat Constant Craving...ordered one from Cabela's and it's wonderful! AND it cuts down on the drain of the battery by not running the Wallas fan...great gadget Smile

Caty

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject:

We bought one from Home Depot on-line (posted about it a couple weeks ago). It works great, and their price was outstanding - about $58 with shipping and state tax. To use, you put it on top of the Wallas, positioned so it can draw cooler air in and blow warmer air out. It is quiet and efficient, doesn't use any power, and you can still cook with it running.

Two thumbs up if... if you have a Wallas, plan to spend time at anchor, and are going to be where the weather can be cold (yes, we have to travel north for that Wink

).

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

We also got one of the Home Depot online specials, it is sitting right here, and we are anxious to give it a real world try. Like Charlie, we didn't "need" it but it was too good a deal to pass up! And not having to run the fan on the Wallas will be both quieter at night and save a few watts...

thataway · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:11 pm Post subject:

We are all suckers for "deals". Yep, I ordered mine from Home Depot, and the Admiral and I had to get out one of her cast iron skillets and the IR therometer. It starts turning at about 325 degrees, and we took the temp up to 400 degrees---really moving air amazing well. The fan finally stopped turning as the skillet cooled off to about 175 degrees. I should have read the temps on the "generator"; that may have had more meaning than the pan temp. It will get a work out in the PNW this summer.

localboy · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100341830&N=653+90401&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

$47 + freight. Interesting invention.

jkidd · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:05 am Post subject:

Ok I ordered one too. If it's quiet maybe I'll sleep a little better. Does anyone know if it will move enough air from the stove that it will not crack from to high of temperature? Or can you control it enough by turning the heat up and down?

breausaw · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:51 am Post subject:

blackfish · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

thanks for all the info
and thanks for rubbing it in ,the special price of $47 is south of the border
not up here in the great white north.

jkidd · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

I don't know either. Just wondering if the fan blowing through the lid cools the surface and if there wasn't that cooling affect would the ceramic crack. If I remember right Scan Marine told me that the hot side would reach 1600 degrees F. My luck it would crack and it can't be cheap to fix.
Not Sure Confused