[staff]
RV Gadget Box | Not Just Blowing Hot Air
Compiled by Mark Nemeth #45776, Escapees Magazine Technical Advisor
I’m a big fan…of fans! No RV is
complete without some 12V fans.
They move the air, help keep you
cool, and even work when you don’t
have electrical hookups.
I
Images courtesy of Camping World.
www.campingworld.com
always have one or two small two-speed
12V dash fans mounted in strategic locations in the RV. These fans can be found in
most auto parts stores and RV parts stores. They
are great for circulating cool (or warm) air
inside your rig. They draw little cur-
rent, and can be pointed at the exact spot where
you need a little breeze.
For bigger cooling jobs, check out the “Endless Breeze” 12V box fan, made by FanTastic
Vent corporation, the same folks that make those
excellent powered roof vents. Using their proven
technology, this little fan (it only measures about
14 inches square, and is just 3.5 inches thick) really moves some air.
It works well set in a window to either bring cool
air in, or exhaust warm air from the rig, and,
even on the high setting, it
Fan-Tastic Endless
Breeze 12V Fan
$74.99 at Camping World
www.campingworld.com
Metal Blade 12-Volt Fan
$29.99 at Camping World
www.campingworld.com
• Metal 2 speed dash fan
$20–$40: Available from auto parts stores and truck stops, everywhere
• Endless Breeze 12V fan
$60–$80: Available online, at RV parts stores, and RV rallies
Fantastic Vent Inc., 2083 S. Almont Avenue, Imlay City, Michigan 48444, 800-521-0298
• Personal battery-powered fan
$5–$20: Available online, at department stores, and sporting goods stores everywhere
• http://www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com/dafaallmeco6.html
• http://www.textrail.com/12V-2-Speed-Fan-6-Blade-Chrome-Plated-Swivel-Base/
• http://www.fantasticvent.com/products/endless_breeze/endless_breeze.html
• http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___70408
• http://safetycentral.com/batopfanspra.html
82 ESCAPEES November/December 2011 www.escapees.com
w
w
w
O2Cool Portable Fan
$8.99 at Camping World
www.campingworld.com
[staff]
Do you have a favorite RV gadget? E-mail [email protected]
and tell Mark about it. If he likes it, he just may purchase one and review it in the “RV Gadget
Box” column and credit you with discovering it. Visit www.escapees.com/rvgadgetbox for
terms, conditions and rules for product submissions.
“I always have one or two small
two-speed 12V dash fans
mounted in strategic locations
in the RV.”
draws less than three amps. It also makes an outstanding
mosquito deterrent when you sit outside in bug country.
When not in use, mine stows easily in a cabinet.
Finally, one of my least favorite tasks is defrosting my
RV refrigerator. However, with a small plastic batterypowered fan, you can make this task a breeze. I’m referring
to those little “personal fan” gadgets that sit on your desk
and run on a couple of D cells. To use the fan, relocate all
the items on the top shelf of your fridge to lower shelves.
Turn off the fridge. Place the fan on the top shelf where
it will blow air directly on the cooling fins in the fridge
compartment. Now turn it on and close the door! The fan
will cause that frost to quickly melt away, and the food in
your fridge stays adequately cold. Don’t forget to turn the
fridge back on when you’re done.
To defrost the freezer, turn off the fridge and relocate all
the frozen items into the refrigerator compartment. Now
prop the freezer compartment door open and place your
trusty little fan to blow air into the freezer. It’s amazing
how fast this works: on a warm day it will only take an
hour or so to loosen all the accumulated frost and ice. Keep
an eye on it so that the melt water doesn’t overflow and
make a mess. After the ice is gone, dry the inside of the
freezer compartment, close the door and turn the fridge
back on and set it to ‘Max’. Once the freezer cools back
down, you can return all the frozen items. Remember to
turn the fridge down to the normal setting.
You won’t miss
a moment of
life’s adventure!
• Nationwide service
• Discounts for
Escapees members
• Certified technicians
• Windshield warranty
We have a location in
Quartzsite, AZ and can do
rock chips, auto and truck
glass repairs in addition to
motorhome windshields.
Nomad Glass
Motorhome Windshield Replacement Specialist
www.nomadglass.com
800-808-9762
www.escapees.com November/December 2011 ESCAPEES 83
w
w
w