Eco Fan

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 5:24 pm

But the air volume that they move is minuscule. And they work better with wood than with coal. And they don't last very long. Read the users comments on Amazon.com. And skip the raving reviews from the people (most respondents) who take it out of the box and are amazed right off the bat at the gimmick , so they toss out a 5 star review without ever giving it time for a proper evaluation.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 5:27 pm

OK, how does it work?

Post by **ONEDOLLAR** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 5:35 pm

coaledsweat wrote:OK, how does it work?

http://www.fjwilliams.co.uk/Ecofantec.html Good explanation of the science behind them...

They work very well as long you don't overheat them and burn them up. And that is is the biggest problem. These fans shouldn't really be used wit temps over 450f or so. Though the manufactures claim higher temps are ok in my experience anything over 450F for an extended period causes harm to them.

These fans in my experience like an even heat and that makes them perfect for coal stoves. As long as the operating temp stays at around 450f. (or below)

I have had two of these and LOVED them both. While they won't blow you hair back they do help move the heat.

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 5:41 pm

coaledsweat wrote:OK, how does it work?

Do a search of "Seebeck effect" or "Peltier effect". A thermoelectric module turns "heat differential" into electricity.

You can buy a thermoelectric module and make your own if you are mechanically inclined.

http://tetech.com/peltier-thermoelectric-cooler-modules/

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Stove-Fan-for-under-50/

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 7:43 pm

Here is a video of a homemade candle heat powered fan. For those with no patience, the action starts at about 43 seconds into the video. Just replace the candle heat with stove heat and you get the picture:

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 7:58 pm

The eco fan I bought wasn't over heated. I placed the same as Randy has his on the back of his range. Over the course of a couple of weeks it just ran slower and slower until it wouldn't start anymore.

Paul

coalfan · Post by **coalfan** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 8:04 pm

what kind of warranty do these fans carry if at all ?

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 8:35 pm

coalfan wrote:what kind of warranty do these fans carry if at all ?

It depends on the model you purchase. Warranty is 1 to 2 years. Getting anything out of the warranty after you begin to have problems may be another matter altogether. Don't let your stove get above 450 degrees if you want it to last awhile.

A Sterling Engine fan will move much more air and last a lot longer than a Peltier/Seebeck type (such as the Eco Fan), but will also cost well more. Sterling Engines do not make electricity at all.

davidmcbeth3 · Post by **davidmcbeth3** » Tue. Mar. 22, 2016 9:49 pm

coalfan wrote:what kind of warranty do these fans carry if at all ?

Here's my warranty:

If it breaks in half ... ya get to keep both halves !

coalfan · Post by **coalfan** » Mon. Apr. 04, 2016 9:23 am

ok guys I was thinking yah I know that not good .

but what I am hearing is with direct contact with the stoves surface some of the fans have failed ,burned up , ok what do you think of puttig fan on stove trivvet an let it work that way will they or can they work that way ?? looking into getting one or two of them for my ds wen I getr hooked up thanx in advance !! enjoy your day !!!!

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Tue. Apr. 05, 2016 5:24 am

coalfan wrote:ok guys I was thinking yah I know that not good . but what I am hearing is with direct contact with the stoves surface some of the fans have failed ,burned up , ok what do you think of puttig fan on stove trivvet an let it work that way will they or can they work that way ?? looking into getting one or two of them for my ds wen I getr hooked up thanx in advance !! enjoy your day !!!!

While experimenting over the winter, I saw no improvement in air circulation using the eco-fan, over what the D.S. already does naturally. The D.S. circulator tubes do a fine job of circulating room air. They just do it slowly. Don't waste your money on a eco-fan.

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Tue. Apr. 05, 2016 7:54 am

coalfan wrote:ok guys I was thinking yah I know that not good . but what I am hearing is with direct contact with the stoves surface some of the fans have failed ,burned up , ok what do you think of puttig fan on stove trivvet an let it work that way will they or can they work that way ?? looking into getting one or two of them for my ds wen I getr hooked up thanx in advance !! enjoy your day !!!!

If you put the fan on a trivet and just the whole fan is being warmed, it won't work.

The aluminum base of the fan has to have contact with a hot surface and transmit that heat up the base. The top half has to stay cooler. That's why the instructions say to keep the fan near the back of the stove so that the fan can draw cool air through the fins of the top half to keep it's temp lower than the bottom half.

The top half and bottom half are separated by a pad with two wires coming out of it. The difference in temps between the top half and bottom half are needed to cause that pad to produce electricity. If the base doesn't absorb enough heat it doesn't have enough temp difference with the top half to cause the electricity to flow.

If you were to tip up one side of the base by putting a small nail under the edge, you'd see a change in fan speed, even though the fan is still in same heat range area of the stove top.

Paul

coalfan · Post by **coalfan** » Tue. Apr. 05, 2016 8:01 am

thanx op , and sb that does help alot and answered my question .

Photog200 · Post by **Photog200** » Sat. Apr. 09, 2016 10:31 am

Dennis wrote:what is the coolest temp. will it start operating,I have a boiler and it never get above 180 degrees

Checked mine twice now and mine starts turning between 145 & 147℉.

Randy