RV Gifts: the Best Fan for Boondockers: Caframo Sirocco II - My Favorite RV Mod! -- Details at
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- If you're looking for the perfect holiday gift for yourself or that special Boondocker in your life, look no further than than the Caframo Sirocco II fan. One of my very favorite RV products---and one that makes a huge difference to my boondocking comfort! -- SEE COMMENTS BELOW --
It uses little power, moves a ton of air, quiet, gimbaled for efficient targeting... and it even as a sleep timer! Skip to 2:18 for the straight skinny without all the run-up: • RV Gifts: the Best Fan...
You can find the fan here: amzn.to/2OWm3af (that's an affiliate link btw, thanks!)
You can find a growing list of my "A-List" glamping accessories here: www.journeyman...
In this video I compare a couple AC-powered fans (0:15 and 0:40) and even show you an installation of a standard 12v dashboard fan (1:30)... and I think I make a convincing case for choosing the Sirocco II over all of them! Perfect for boondocking-but also just a plain old excellent addition for any RVer, even if you're the plugin type.
I couldn't image camping in the Australian summer without my Sirocco fans.
I just bought two Sirocco II fans. Made in Canada.
Nice! Canadian fans named after Mediterranean breezes. What a world!
2:43 The was a good one. I laughed so hard I almost chocked on my bagel!
LOL. Glad I could add some levity. I really did think it was Italian for a while!
It's Canadian made. It's my best fan experience. Silent & powerful. Expensive but worth it. Nice video 👍🇳🇿
Agree!
A LOV E STPRY... BBAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA YOU CRACKED ME UP... NEVER STOP. GREAT PRESENTATION
I do it for the fans!
I subscribed after that first line.
I was just at Ultimate Airstreams in Portland (Oregon). Guess which DC fan they offer installation of? You guessed it, the good old Sirocco. I noticed they added it just outside of the reading light. Since I put the fans in I have very rarely ever wished that I still had the reading light. Forgot to ask how much they would charge but it ain't gonna be cheap!
LOL... well, glad to know my opinion isn't an outlier. I don't miss the reading lamps at all (and besides, they were way too bright.). I did eventually pick up one of those "stick on" led lights at the dollar store and put it above the nightstand. Cheap unit... doesn't even have a replaceable battery. It's really dim, which is what I wanted. I rarely use that even!
I have the Sirocco in my sailboat...its pretty big but I want the most air because my bulldog cropdusts contantly. Different angle for a good product.
LOL... dispersing cropdusting is an important application for any fan!
Hi Skip,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
Nice. I’m a full time RVer and own two Vornado fans. If you don’t know them.. they work good. Especially the pricey ones. Which cost about $100 bucks each too. But just like your white one.. they are bulky. And I hate running it off my converter which draws to much power itself. Just pulled the trigger on one tonight.. gets here Friday. They looks super clean in the photos I’ve seen and can’t wait to get it for my Boondocking nights as I head back to Florida in the fall when I don’t have to run my generator for a/c but need a fan to stay cool. Good review. By the way.. great tip on just using mounting pads… I was dreading having to drill holes where I wanted to mount it. Thanks!
Glad I could help! They are super great when boon docking... that's for sure!
I subbed right after that first line!! 😂
LOL. I couldn't resist.
Hi Heather,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
I would recommend heavy duty 3m velcro. This way if you want to move it later or sell RV, no permanent install marks.
That would probably work. I used VHB tape, Which holds really strong and secure and can be removed if you slip a piece of dental floss behind it.
Hi Bill,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
Awesome love story just what I was looking for!!
Thanks for an informative video. I’ve got a Caframo fan for my woodburner. BTW I think they are a Canadian company.
Thanks! Yup, Caframo is Canadian. Sounds Italian though! If you freeze frame at 2:43, you'll see how I label the "italian flag" on the box!
Just placed that on my "boondocks" need list, however it'll be a while and waiting for the kiddos to learn to conserve first lol. That Honeywell fan is my fav, had it for 5yrs and abused it a bit and wouldn't break, until it grew legs and never came back 😠
Glad to hear it! I still bring the Honeywell fans on occasion: but only if I have full hookups. I often use them outside to keep the bugs away during meals.
Fantastic. Thanks for demo of the caframo. I will give one a try.
It really is great. I don't think I really mentioned how quiet it is too.... which makes it the ultimate solar/boondocking accessory. (I just wish it was a little cheaper!)
awesome ty. i'd like to see the same review of the newer usb fans. although this review was more of your experience with specific fans.
Hi,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
The only problem is you ain't showed people have to connect it with the wiring where's the wiring that happened how do you connect it..
Sorry about that! It's just two wires and you could connect them all sorts of ways (twist, use wire nuts, crimp connectors, etc.). The only trick is that if you connect the wires backwards (plus to negative) the fan will run backward. (Ask me how I know!)
@@JustaJourneyman thank you for that my friend thank you very much
Video was EXACTLY what I was searching for. Thanks!!
You should also be able to get a 12v designated USB C cable with a barrel jack on the other end. Im going to get one of these soon and try to set it up that way….At least I think I see a dc barrel jack on there.
That will work. Since I didn't anticipate any need to move the fan, I opted for the clean install... though it's easily reversed. (Didn't even use screws to mount the fans... used VHB tape instead!)
Hi Nicholas,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
Thanks for the advice, I will try your suggestion 🙂
Let me know how it works out!
Can we see the finger-in-the-blades test from the other fans? haha
great review - will definitely subscribe and check out more videos
LOL. If I do it, I will start with a hot dog :)
Great video, I just ordered two units. Thanks.
You'll love em!
On my “To Buy” list
It's pricey, but you won't be disappointed.
Thanks
Thanks for the very informative and entertaining review.
Happy to help!
HOWEVER none of your fans oscillate. I use those cheap clip on 12v fans from Walmart & have for years. They
work PERFECTLY and last & last & last. I hung 2 above the windshield in our Class A which worked fantastic.
But then I hung a windshield blind blocking the airflow from us, So, I am currently hanging 2 more fans behind
the blind to cool us.
!
Very true. I am actually not really a fan of oscillation.... Instead, I tend to focus on using fans to either 1) blow directly at me or 2) create a noticeable cyclic airflow throughout the entire room. (Put a fan blowing down the "long" side of a room and you will induce a circular breeze in the whole space..)
It only seems to turn 180 degrees and not 360 degrees. Please clarify. Does it switch from exhaust to pull instead?
It's on a gimbal, so... think of it as like 180 + 180 rotation... and between those two arcs you can point it anywhere.
great review! Love the humor! Does Sirocco have a sister! I will go check who sells them besides the mother ship. Thanks again!
LOL!
How can I fix the switch? I pulled out the wires when I took it out of the socket.
Thank you for sharing it .
You are the best .
Glad it helped!
Great review.
Thanks!
nice fan. thanks.
Thank you kind Sir. Good info...
Hi Anna,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
Informative. Entertaining. Articulate. Please do more videos.
Thanks Harry! Been a busy year, but I hope to release a few as soon as time allows! COVID is keeping me busy!
Hi, can I use Bluetooth for a Sirocco fan
Probably not. While I think you probably could find a bluetooth power controller that would work on 12v, these fans don't have "hard switches" so they would not come back on if the power was cut and then restored.
How do I wire this? Im wanting to put one in my imagine 2800bh bedroom.
It's a straight DC connection, two wires one black one white. If you wire it backwards, it will run backwards :)
@JustaJourneyman hahahahaha I'm sorry. You got me there. I mean where do I run the wire to? I'm not familiar with wiring and fuses etc. Is it something diy I could figure out or would I need to get an electrician to do it?
@@MBCITB Basically anything in your RV that runs off the battery can be used as a power tap. These fans draw very little power, so you won't overtax any system. Pull out a light and you'll see two wires leading to it, probably one white and one black. That's all you need. Use stranded wire of a similar thickness/gauge.
Can you wire it to a plug so it can just be plugged in as/when needed?
Tha ks
You could in theory wire it to plug into a USB outlet, but the fan is DC, so you can't plug it into a standard household outlet.
Hi there - did you replace an existing fixture with these fans or did you add it? I'm trying to figure out the best way to install in a bunk and right now, only have the existing light, that just has a push on off. If I end up not replacing the light but add it inline, do you know what gauge wire is needed?
I replaced the "puck" lights that were already there. I found the puck lights were too bright anyway, and we used them so little that it was a no brainer. I have since added a small light over the night stand (so small you can't see it in the videos... it's like a "stick up" size").... and because that light is battery powered I just double-stick-taped it to the spot I wanted it. It's been there for a couple years now and is still going strong with power... which tells you how little we use it!
What decibel
I don't have a meter, but it is very very low. When the fans are running on high you can still easily be heard in a normal speaking voice. Almost silent.
I am thinking of putting on dash or in the cab area of my class A RV. Would you connect to the house batteries or to the chassis battery?
I think it depends: 1) if you will only use it when driving, chassis battery works 2) I think in this case it's mostly where you can steal power easily... since even if you ran it unstitched off the chassis batteries it would have to run a LONG time to drain your batteries enough to cause a starting issue. I suspect convenient access to power will be the primary determinant of which batteries... at least it would be for me!
Doesn’t the sirroco swivel on the base as well?
Nope... just the gimbal around the fan itself. (They might have other models though?)
@@JustaJourneyman I’ve done some more research looks like there’s a knob on the side of the base you have to use to get it to move. That way it can lay flush against your roof.
@@jordanoracle-yc4jb OH YES! That's correct. I don't really think of that as a swivel so much as a folding mechanism. Allows you to fold the fan body down to either side of the base. Works well to get it out of the way and and pretty sturdy. Not sure I'd travel with it "hanging" in the folded position though.
In the UK the Scirocco II now (January 2023) costs £194, or in USD it is $294, C$320 and 220 Euros. Considering it is just an ordinary-looking plastic fan it must contain some amazing technology in that little motor to justify the cost. Nevertheless, how much would you pay to be cool when the temperature and humidity are absolutely stifling? It could mean the difference between cranky, bad sleep days and happy, well-spelt days.
By the way, an AC unit would cost you thousands to buy and a huge amount of your juice would be sucked up keeping it going, often leading to flat batteries, so Carframo have a captive market and are taking advantage of it. If this is the ultimate 12v fan then I wonder how good (and cheap!) the second place fan is?
How well has the VHb tape held up in supporting these 4 fans you installed in your Airstream?
It's been great. Still tight as the first day. (The fans are pretty light, so very little stress on the tape.)
Hi David,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
I’m trying to find a good fan to install in our RV bedroom that’s small, moves good air, and not super loud....but not Super quiet either. This seems like it might be perfect as long as it does make some sound. We need the slight fan noise for sleeping. How quiet is this one? Are we the only weird people out there that don’t want super quiet fans?
This might be your fan. Not totally silent. It gives low level white noise and I find it quite comforting. Factors like distance and speed will make a big difference too. Running two of them = twice the noise as well.
Hi Amy,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
Thank you for this! Any comparison between this model and the o2cool 10" smart fan, as far as amount of air movement?
Sorry... I don't have any experience with the o2cool....
Great video I am looking now for a fan , my van is small its a Chevy astro only 5ft wide do you think I would need 2 fans ? I love Sirocco II but you are correct it is expensive $187.00 plus tax here in Canada, I did see a smaller one called Bora marine 3 $99 do you have an opinion on that fan. Thank you .
Sorry... I'm not familiar with that other fan so I can't offer an opinion. But the few Caframo fans I've tried have all been great. Prices are high right now, but hopefully will come back down at some point ... maybe over the winter?
@@JustaJourneyman Thank you for your reply I have read a few more reviews seems the Sirocco II is the way to go , I will start with 1 and see how that is I can always add to it. Thanks again.
Does it swivel too
The base remains fixed, but because of the gimbal, it can be pointed in any direction. Complete flexibility.
I just installed this in my van. What size fuse did you use?
Typically the size of the fuse is related to the size/gauge of the wire you used. The fan uses very little power, so if it's on a dedicated wire, the fuse could be tiny, like 0.5 amps.
@@JustaJourneymanThanks. I used 14awg. And it is the only load on that circuit. I put a 5 amp fuse but figured it was too big.
I have one of these that I paid $100 for. These things are now $190-$200. Completely ridiculous.
Prices coming back down now...
Hey great review. Can this fan be installed on a remote switch?
I think you'd have to tear it apart a bit to make that happen, so the simple answer is "no."
@@JustaJourneyman yes if you buy a remote inline switch
Hi,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
Are you still happy with the Sirocco II? Have you had much usage?
Yes, very happy. Lots of use!
My reading lights have a switch on the base. Does this fan have an on/off switch?
Yes, it has an a power (off, L, M, H) switch and a separate sleep timer switch.
Does the fan stay pointing the way you set it when going over rough terrain?
Pretty much. They are made for boats so that’s rough duty.
Hi John,
I’ve just read yr question. I have just released video where I wire straight to a cigie.
Have a look and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Out There Touring
If you could only have this or maxx air fan?
Those are reallly different choices. MaxxAir is a roof fan, but this is for mounting on the interior of your trailer. That said, I have two roof fans I rarely use, but I use the Caframo fans ALL THE TIME. So... I think the answer to your question is "this!"
Bhai ji kitne ka hai
$180 on amazon ca... never gonna happen! WAY over priced. Are boat people used to get raked over the coals? good grief!
Looks like they've come back down in price now...
$208 on Amazon today.... I don't think so. and it even as a fair amount of lousy reviews.
$208. Ouch! I thought it was pricey at $99. Must be COVID shortages... at least I hope?
Hi David! We really love your review of our Sirocco II fan and want to thank you for your support of our products. We want to let you know that we've included a short clip in a recent highlight reel. You can check it out here at ua-cam.com/video/aQVoQa_riI4/v-deo.html. If you don't want to be included for any reason, we're happy to edit your portion out. Otherwise, we'd love if you shared it. Thanks again! :)
You didn't get my best side! :)
@@JustaJourneyman we think it was great! thanks so much!
Yakie, yake will not come back
I agree that this video is particularly windy :)
Italian flag! LMAO!
Don’t ever start it with a dad joke ! Seriously No
LOL....
Use a 240v/12 volt power source/choice. Got 3 the best/quiet. T800Aust