The problem was though what fan should we buy, we needed it to be quite, powerful, energy efficient, have reasonable looks, preferably 12v, portable, oh and not expensive.
After scouring the internet for a 12v fan we came up with nothing suitable so we opted for a 240v version instead, Everyone we looked at couldn’t tick all the box required apart from one, the Honeywell HT900E Turbo Fan.
Honeywell HT900E Fan
Construction
The plastics used in its construction have a nice textured matt finish and are not the usual creaky plastics used in a typical fan. The fan guard is very strong and you cannot get your fingers in making it safer for children. It has some rubber feet on the base to stop it from sliding around and the control switch although small is robust too. The pivot that allow it to rotate up and down is also very positive in its action with good teeth so it stays where you point it. All the above add up to a robust build that doesn’t squeak, creak or rattle at all.
The Negatives
Now lets start with what might be considered the drawbacks, well first of all it’s 240v so you need an inverter for it to work in the motorhome or you can only use it on electric hook up. Secondly it doesn’t oscillate although you can manually tilt it through 90 degrees.
The Positives
Its has 3 selectable speeds on a simple control knob located at the back and even the slowest setting is very good, turn it up to full speed and your face changes shape it’s that powerful, The unit uses up to a max of 40w so about 3.3amps but obviously less on the lower speeds. Now as we have solar panels the electricity used is only minimal but might be an issue for some. As we have already mentioned it doesn’t oscillate but I find this an advantage as it keeps the noise levels down making the fan very quiet even on its highest setting, you can barely even hear it on the lower speeds.
It really does shift some air too and in the summer months when it get hot outside and even hotter inside the difference it makes is massive. Next to having air conditioning you can’t beat it.
Mounting options
You can wall mount it, stand it up as shown above, but we have it mounted upside down under a cupboard so its always out the way but ready to go. We find the black colour helps too as a typical white fan stands out like a sore thumb.
Our Honeywell fan is now about 4 years old and still goes like the clappers and is trouble free which is just what you want. It’s a premium fan but with a bargain basement price at under £25 from Amazon.
I don’t think a lot of people even know about them or understand how they work. I have two window fans that I’ve had for years and they work wonderfully at night to bring in the cool air. It’s surprising how cool they will get a room during the night in the middle of summer. You just have to make sure you have the correct side facing outside, so it works to bring in the cool air versus as an exhaust fan. My window fans are small and lightweight, but they really work well. I don’t remember where they were made or the brand, however. The ones I own have two small fans inside the plastic housing instead of one big fan like what is pictured in the above article. They’ve gotten tons of use over the years and they’ve worked perfectly all these years.
Thank you Joanne for your recommendation. I have looked at it on Amazon and read the reviews. Never laughed so much at the questions and answers people put on there! Have a read!! Xx
Classic!
Hi Joanne & Craig
This has gone on the shopping list for when we get home, at the moment its 28 degrees outside the van and 38 degrees inside with no breeze.
Gill & Ian
Thats hot! Hopefully you will find it as useful as we do.
Hi. We use an Endless Breeze 12 volt fan which is amazing a d because it’s a thin flat fan, we have hung it or stood it in various places in the van. We also have the megablasying Honeywell but find the endless breeze better for the on the move stuff.
We bought this fan last year after reading your blog, it’s great and we have a little 12v one that we share, read – fight over!
Thats good to hear Cathy. We’ve looked for 12v but still yet to find a decent one. Would love to hear what 12v your u ae using
Interesting post. Thank you. We tried the Transcool cooling fan that uses evaporating water to cool. Alas we returned it yesterday. It worked fairly well, but even in our Crafter it couldn’t cool the space.
I avoided fans as they only move the air, but it sounds as if it works well for you.
We don’t have room for any more kit so we’ll hunt down a 12v and let you know if we’re successful.
Cheers. Kelvin. http://www.thecornishwanderer.co.uk
We wondered about the fine mist coolers, so thanks for the heads up. Look forward to the 12v…we too have yet to find one!