Updated on 6/12/2022
It’s that time of the year. Hot summer nights and pesky mosquitoes!
Many of us use electrical fans to keep the heat and mozzies at bay.
Enter loadshedding…
I have looked at several options and there are some products on the local market that could be useful to tame the heat on a hot summer’s day with Eskom shedding its load.
One solution = batteries.
The typical fan will run from power that comes out of your wall outlet, this is known as AC (alternating current) power. Batteries on the other hand provide DC (direct current) power.
There are two options for running a fan from batteries:
- Use an inverter to convert DC to AC.
- Use a fan that has a motor that is designed to run from DC power.
Option 1:
Note that if you are going the inverter route then get one that outputs AC power in a pure sine wave. In my experience AC motors do not run well on non-pure sine wave inverters.
Find detailed information on sine waves here: https://climatebiz.com/what-is-a-pure-sine-wave-inverter/
Inverters are often bundled with batteries/cabinets in a trolley. My suggestion would be to try to get something with pure sine wave and Lithium LiFePO4/LFP batteries. This solution will be more expensive but it can be used for a lot more than just running your fan depending on the inverter + battery chemistry and size that you settle for.
Option 2:
DC fans come in all shapes and sizes. If you already have a power bank then the cheapest option would probably be to get a USB fan.
Small USB fans.
These are cheaper but still require an external power source.
Mini USB Desk Fan 13.5cm Diameter:
Goldair USB Fan GUF-6A:
https://www.everyshop.co.za/goldair-usb-fan-guf-6a
Safeway USB Mini Fan Copper:
https://clicks.co.za/safeway_usb-mini-fan-copper/p/310054
Orico Micro-USB Desk Fan FT1-2-WH-PRO-BP:
You will need to connect these to a power bank or laptop during loadshedding.
A better option would be to get some rechargeable fans:
Yoobao F3S Mini Hand Held Portable Fan:
I have personally tested this one and they are great! Long battery life and strong for its size.
Careful when buying these online. Some sellers are selling cheap no-name fans under the Yoobao name on Takealot. Baobab are the legit sellers.
Robot RT-BF11 Foldable 3 IN 1 USB Mini Fan:
https://www.takealot.com/robot-rt-bf11-foldable-3-in-1-usb-mini-fan/PLID90458439
These are also great, they don’t last as long as the Yoobao F3S min and they dont blow as hard but they are foldable/convertible with their own stand.
Meaco Fan 260c Cordless Air Circulator:
https://www.takealot.com/meaco-fan-260c-cordless-air-circulator-with-a-light/PLID72992748
These look great and they have long battery life but they are quite a bit more expensive than other small fans. It has a brushless DC motor motor which is more efficient and quiet than its counterpart. With this price tag I would have liked to see oscillation though.
A larger rechargeable fan: Xiaomi Smart Standing Fan 2 Pro. This is currently the best option that I have seen because it stays on even when load shedding kicks in. These will sell like hot cakes so grab one while you can.
Available at Techguysa, Takealot and Smartphone shop
If you are looking for a larger pedestal fan type rechargeable fan then this is the one for you:
Xiaomi Smart Standing Fan 2 Pro. This is an expensive option but it is a smart fan that also has a brush-less DC motor which uses very little power.
The “smart” part means that you can control it from your phone via the internet (from anywhere). It connects to your local wifi connection and you control it via the Xiaomi Mi Home app. You can also control it via the physical buttons on the fan. This fan lasts 2.7 hours (according to the specifications) at the highest setting when there is no power.
Here is some of the settings that you will find in the app:
If you bought into Xiaomi’s ecosystem and you have a compatible Xiaomi hub and Xiaomi sensors then it is also possible to set up smart automation within the Mi Home app. For example you can set it to automatically come on at night when the temperature goes above 25°C. And automatically turn off when the temperature drops below 20°C.
12v DC Pedestal Fans:
https://www.takealot.com/12v-pedestal-fan-40cm/PLID73108131
https://www.takealot.com/12v-dc-floor-fan/PLID91860849?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclsrc=ds&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://solarequipment.co.za/product/12v-dc-stand-fans/
If you have a 12v battery (like a car battery) and charger lying around and you want a bigger fan than `those small USB/rechargeable options and the Xiaomi is out of budget then this may be a better option for you.
Update: It just occurred to me that another solution could be run these 12v DC pedestal fans from a 12v port on a mini DC UPS. I would look for a unit with around 14400mAh or more capacity if I were to try this.
I think this one may work well: https://www.takealot.com/netogy-mini-14400mah-dc-ups-power-bank/PLID90006784
very informative articles or reviews at this time.