Stabilising a Caframo Ultimate Fan

[Seaworthy Lass]

Caframo 12V Ultimate fans are just brilliant - they push out a heap of air quietly and efficiently, and without a housing they are easy to clean (much better than the Caframo Bora model on all scores).

The only problem with them is they generally need to be screwed down. Even when new, the suction cups are hopeless - the slightest amount of roll in an anchorage and they go toppling.

Today I designed and made an easy way of stabilising our two freestanding fans, whilst still keeping them portable.

The solution was simple:
- Using a 21 cm diameter plate cut four circles out of any soft thin fabric (I used cotton). The extra two layers serve as a lining.
- Sew double lines (the second one for reinforcing) just inside the outer rim. I couldn't bothered pulling out the sewing machine, so I hand sewed the lines using backstitches.
- Cut a 2cm hole in the very centre of all four layers.
- Turn inside out.
- Fill with tiny pebbles (washed and dried).
- Tuck in the raw edges, pin and and sew up the centre hole.
- Unscrew the suction cap, slip on the ring of pebbles, screw the base back on.
- Place the fan and ring on a 15cm disc of non-skid.

ROCK SOLID!

As a bonus the weight of the pebbles prevents excess vibration and so the fan is even quieter .

This technique could be used for stabilising all sorts of other small pieces of portable equipment.