Bought a 12V fan today that plugs into lighter. My question is if I operate it with key in accessory position, will I run down the car battery? It took less than 1/2 hr with headlights on to kill the battery dead, but I would think headlights suck much more power than this fan? Right or wrong? Thanks.

Three questions need to be answered:

1) How many amps does the fan use (should be listed somewhere on fan, on box or in manual).
2) How many amps does the E use with everything turned off with the key in the ACC Position.
3) What's the amphour rating of the stock battery.

I've seen, for example, those heated blankets rated for 4-6 amps. Folks say you can get 10-20 hours, depending on car battery size, before depleting a car battery (note, you'd never want to deplete one). I *suspect* the greater amp drain will be from #2 above, not from #1...

EDIT

Shen mentions here that in ACC position the car draws about 5 amps (~60+ watts) from the battery (he referenced an earlier post here or on another forum for that).

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=51090&highlight=acc#51090

So, in addition to the amp drain of the fan, you'd want to factor in another 5 amps for the car being on.

-brendan

Thanks for the reply Brandan :) Turns out I may take this thing back. It hardly does anything at all to move the air around in the E. Going to look at RV supply places and see what I can find. Maybe something with its own battery power.

Thanks for the reply Brandan

The "Brenden Enigma" continues! At first, not apparent to the average post peruser, but seemingly insignificant clues here and there sprinkled throughout the forum in various threads have led me to one conclusion. Even Brenden, if that's his real name, has dropped tantalizing tidbits that only a few, I fear, may have noticed, only to become distracted by yet another Element topic or revelation. Some may recall his reluctance to post a picture in the EOC people thread. And remember, Florida Roadie casually mentioning that he might be out of the country. And (supposedly) he lives in Arlington, VA. Well... that should come as no surprise! And now, yet another variation on his "online" name. I'm just glad he's on our side... I think. Wait, someone is at the door :shock:



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