Eco-fans and living off the grid.

[ConcernedCanuk]

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Circumstances left me in an 18 foot trailer - totally off the grid.

Heat is only by propane - unless I want to run the generator - At 2 bucks an hour - for HEAT? - I think not. I use the generator mostly to operate the computer, microwave, toaster and other high consumption devices and charge up my 12 volt system.(had solar panels, they died)

ANYHOO

Living in Northern Ontario - it gets quite cool

This, and most travel trailers are not designed for -30C - so the heater works poorly below freezing.

While I don't recommend using the propane stove-top for heat(CO emissions and O2 depletion) but I found with carbide blades(old plow blades - won't warp) on top of the burners, at a VERY minimal setting - much heat is retained - however - much of it was going straight to the ceiling

ECOFAN makes the day - runs with no hydro, and greatly increases the comfort



This is the model I have

but there are other models as well



more info at http://www.caframo.com/home_office/homeoffice_products_ecofans.php

[cbayer]

1. Wow! That looks great and I am going to do more research on it.

I also live off the grid (on a boat).

We have a propane stove. The back burner has a large and very heavy griddle on it, so we have been using that for heat. But, as with you, most of it has been going out the hatch we leave open because of concerns about CO. This looks like a great solution.

Thanks!

:hi:

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. On your boat

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I suspect you have a 12 volt lighting system.

I found light bulbs (LED) designed for automotive - replaced the bulbs in my trailer (12 volt) with the 12 volt LED replacement - I figure I get between 7 -10 times the use wattage-wise than I did out of the origonal trailer/automotive lights -

They are pricey - a 1156 LED is around 20 bucks up here, as opposed to around one buck for a regular 1156

But they brighten up my life

:silly:

[grasswire]

2. so what is life like there in northern Ontario?

Aside from camping, fishing. Are you near a town? What's the topography?

I am a newly minted Canadian under the Lost Canadians act of 2009, and am curious about a lot of things.

My grandmother was born in Owen Sound, but I realize that's in southern Ontario and probably very different from your surroundings.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Shoulda checked my profile - anyhoo -

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I live in Mattawa - at the junction of the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers.

Ottawa river is the border between Quebec and Ontario.

Google has pics around here

http://maps.google.ca/maps

Mattawa, ON P0H 1V0

We are approx 70km - 45miles east of North Bay

you can check out the satellite images, or the terrain

I prefer the sat images myself

enjoy your "new" Canuckism :silly:

[jpak]

4. Two brothers have them on the wood-fired cook stoves - pricey (and silent), but they work

n/t

[madokie]

5. I had to look to see if there were any on ebay, sure 'nuf

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=Ecofan&_kw=Model&_kw=800&_ckw=Original

our pellet stove doesn't have a hot enough surface to place one on though otherwise I'd buy one just for shits and grins and/or just goes to show you or what will they think of next. As a conversation piece.

[Po_d Mainiac]

7. Anybody using one of these on a wood stove?

Our sole heat source is/are the back-up units.....(U back up to em).

The surface temp is seldom below 700F but I could easily add a stand.