Woodskevin Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hey folks. I recently aquired a large 12V evaporator fan used in defroster and heater units. My idea is to build a portable forge table and pot that would mount in the tow receiver hitch on my truck and use the trailer plug as a 12V power source. What's do y'all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewed Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I think the fan would suck your battery dry pretty fast. Also I don't think that a trailer plug has a constant 12v supply to it( 4 pin.) Run a dual battery setup, but low voltage cut off, isolation switches and all the safety jazz that comes with it. But by the time your buy all that including a deep cycle battery, you could have bought a hand cranked blower on E-bay for less. But that is just my thoughts. IT would be a kind of cool set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 10,000 farriers can't be wrong. They make 12V fans for gas & coal forges in horseshoers' rigs. Check out a vendor or two online. Just remember not to drain the battery so low the car will not start, a fan big enough to run a forge will draw a lot of power. The fan may also be run off a wall plug with the aid of a car charger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 My question would be what do you plan on using it for? Form follows function, so I would first explore how it will be used and the parameters of those situations. If you will be using it in your driveway, or at a blacksmith meeting, or camping, then it sounds like a neat idea. However you will be limited to using the forge where a vehicle can be parked, so you will not be able to use a hitch mounted forge at living history events and likely not be able to use it at most craft shows or other public events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I agree with David. I take a forge on the road quite a bit, camping, teaching, demo'ing and pretty much everywhere I am nowhere near the parking lot. You might think of making a dual use set up where it could be mounted on the receiver *or* legs could be slipped on it to use it elsewhere with a free floating battery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodskevin Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 I originally thought about building a forge trailer. I guess I'll return to that idea. I hope to do demos in the future so I completely understand all the view points and suggestions previously mentioned. Thanks guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I would suggest asking "FieryFurnace" about his experiences in building and using a forge trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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