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What Eco fan should I get if any at all?

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classicstove Collaborator

classicstove

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Posted

There are two types available based on temperature of the stove

 

Traditional coal/wood burning stoves burn hotter that diesel fired stoves on tickover

 

The Ecofan suitable for gas stoves (thats how its advertised) works at a lower temperature and is more effective.

 

There arte of course the ortiginal 2 and 3 bladed fans of which the later does move more air

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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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Posted (edited)

I agree. They work. Loads of boaters have them.

 

Beats me why people want to rubbish a piece of genuine innovative technology.

 

It's because Ecofans are a bit of a paradox. They can't work yet they do.

 

The first time I saw one sitting on a warm stove spinning merrily away I assumed it was hard-wired to a power supply. On closer investigation I was it was not, so WHERE was the motive power coming from? Obviously it was some sort of battery or, possibly, the principle of a heat cell I was aware of but had never seen actually executed. Then I figure out it IS a heat cell. Wow! And it all snaps into focus. I WANT ONE. NOW!

 

They really do seem to improve the heat distribution through a long thin boat. I definitely missed mine when it fell off and bent the motor shaft. The paradox is that they don't really shift much air so I cannot see a technical explanation for the improved comfort level they create. I use smoke pens for flue testing and a smoke pen creates a little trail of smoke like from a cigarette or incense stick. Put it in front of an Ecofan and the smoke trail shows a sideways airpath from the fan which rapidly peters out, changing from horizontal to fully vertical in about a couple of feet away from the fan. I can't see how this help with heat distribution, but it does.

 

The best thing about the Ecofan though is the way it calmly and unobtrusively rattles as it spins gently on the fire. Almost as comforting a sound as a grandfather clock ticking away. In particular as the fires dies low, the slowing Ecofan makes you aware of this sooner than you feel the cold. Same in reverse. If the fire is roaring inside faster than you thought, the fan rattles harder. Almost as though it is talking to you. I would never be without mine, even though I know they don't work. Except they do.

 

And no I don't sell them.

 

Mike

 

(ETA I have two, two-bladed ones Cherts.)

Edited by Mike the Boilerman
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Québec Rising Star

Québec

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There's been some research, by the University of Waterloo, Canada (the Ecofan is a Canadian product). Can't find the original research, so of course can't verify the rigour of the research.

 

http://www.storesdirect.co.uk/stoves/blog/ecofan-reduces-fuel-costs-for-multifuel-stoves/

 

As I understand it, the fan has a 'wide' angle so that those expecting it to discernibly move smoke at 10 paces are going to be disappointed. We've got one. We did our own tests on our boat (40' trad) using several thermometers at floor, head height when sitting, and ceiling. The Ecofan made a noticeable difference. As some others have said it also makes a very handy (but expensive) stove monitor. In the depths of a winter's night I can raise my head from my pillow and look right down the boat to see whether it's spinning round merrily or not. If the latter one of us has to put some more fuel on.

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matty40s Veteran II

matty40s

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There's been some research, by the University of Waterloo, Canada (the Ecofan is a Canadian product). Can't find the original research, so of course can't verify the rigour of the research.

 

http://www.storesdirect.co.uk/stoves/blog/ecofan-reduces-fuel-costs-for-multifuel-stoves/

 

As I understand it, the fan has a 'wide' angle so that those expecting it to discernibly move smoke at 10 paces are going to be disappointed. We've got one. We did our own tests on our boat (40' trad) using several thermometers at floor, head height when sitting, and ceiling. The Ecofan made a noticeable difference. As some others have said it also makes a very handy (but expensive) stove monitor. In the depths of a winter's night I can raise my head from my pillow and look right down the boat to see whether it's spinning round merrily or not. If the latter one of us has to put some more fuel on.

 

I did similar tests, in the deepest mid winter frosts, and proved that it helped my keep the heat beter distributed down the boat. The results were then rubbished as usual by the nay sayers. i couldn't care less, it works for my boat, and if it broke, I would get another one.

 

Two blader cherts, my ma n pa have a 3 blader on the stove at home.

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Guest

Guest

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I wonder if it would work, in a back cabin, for directing excess heat away from the bed 'ole.

 

If they did work - and I am obviously one of the nay' sayers - surely all it would do would push the heat against the back cabin wall to rebound/reflect back (if I'm understanding correctly where Chertsey's stove is in relation to the back cabin layout.......

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carlt Veteran II

carlt

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Posted (edited)
The results were then rubbished as usual by the nay sayers...

...and the devotees rubbish the results of the sceptics.

 

What's the difference?

 

As a former materials research engineer, whose specialism was the study of Carbon Fibre production, temperature profiles and heat distribution through long thin tubes is something of a specialist subject of mine.

 

I am confident of my experiments, and my conclusions drawn, but I don't doubt your, and others', findings.

 

I know they don't work, you know they do. What's the problem?

 

The answer is simple...

 

If you can't borrow one to test first, decide whether it's worth the money to find out for yourself.

Edited by carlt
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NB Lola Rising Star

NB LolaDonate to Canal World

Posted
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Had one for sometime and now I reluctantly agree that they have limited value (three blades).

 

Reason for me is possibly where I am trying to move the heat, to the back of a 57ft boat from the front, far too much for it to do.

 

Smaller boat and the results may be different.

 

I will be looking at rads powered by a diesel heater I think, but it is early days as my new problem is finding a location for the rads.

 

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

Lola

 

Knowledge is not information until it is accessed by those other than the creator.

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Capt Ahab Proficient

Capt Ahab

Posted
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Well my two bladder works although I was very sceptical. I no longer get cold feet and before I wrapped my feet in a blanket during the cold weather.

Sue

I agree with Sue - my two blader stirs the air very effectively, mixing the ho bit at the top with the cold at the floor, as well as causing the warm mix to circulate round the boat without causing drafts. The two blader works very well.

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DustyDave Collaborator

DustyDave

Posted
Posted

A back boiler and raiator/s would be much better than an Eco fan

 

I've had a back boiler and radiators at home. I hated it. It took one heck of a fire to heat up the water. Getting the fire going was much tougher due to the tank of cold water at the back. The heat given out to the room was significantly less. Ideally I'd like to pump air past the back of the fire and round the house. I used a system in France which did this - fantastic! For now I'll enjoy my multi fuel stove at home with no back boiler. Will be doing the same on the boat next year.

 

When I'm feeling flush I'm sure I'll buy an ecofan. For now it's just too expensive given the doubt over it's usefulness.

 

Dave

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Duchess Omnium Contributor

Duchess Omnium

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I have a 3 bladed one. I confess I never really noticed much improvement in warmth -- the bedroom is a long way away from the fire, with obstructions, amd it is cold... But I agree with its uses as a stove state indicator.

 

Also it is a really attractive object IMO. I bought a colour changing light that I aim at it and t he spinning blade reflecting back the light makes really stunning patterns. Makes me feel all young and mind altered...

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adam1uk Experienced

adam1uk

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In my experience, they do work. Without the fan, the floor is cold and the ceiling is hot; the ecofan evens this out. We have a three blade fan.

 

I reckon that some of those who say they don't work haven't positioned it correctly. It will have much less effect if you put it in front of the flue; it needs to draw air up from the back or side of the stove.

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churchward Veteran II

churchward

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Posted (edited)

Not a copy and certainly not cheaper but, if I was going to have a stove top toy, I'd rather have a Sterling engine than a Peltier driven one.

 

Edited to add link: Clicky

I agree not cheaper but good fun you can get some lovelly examples.

 

There is a stove powered stirling engine driven fan you can get for £145. Could be an alternative?

 

http://www.stirlingengine.co.uk/ksf22-stove-fan-472-p.asp

 

Edited to add that it looks like the one in the linky you added.

Edited by churchward
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