I’m looking for a battery powered fan for my camping tent. Didn’t see any at Carrefour or Metroasis (camping store). Suggestions, in/around Taipei?
Have you tried electronics stores like 燦坤 (3C) or Best? They’re all over Taipei, and I bet they’d have what you want, or at least be able to point you in the right direction.
I was under the impression this is a more specialized item, something you’d find in a camping store. We got one years ago, 2005 I think, with a small lead-acid battery in it, a fan, lights, siren and radio in the camping section at either RTMart or Carrefour, the former I think, but a couple years ago I didn’t see it there anymore. Ours is defunct and I’d love to replace it.
I think the electronics store would be the best plan. If you’re not familiar with the electronics area near ZhongXiao XinSheng, go out of the High School exit (it’s either 1 or 5, can’t remember), do a U-turn out the exit, then take the first left you see (a little paved alleyway). Go to the end of the alleyway and you’ll get to a lot of shops selling (mostly) 3C stuff. Walk around until you see an electronic-components store (or try the underground area, which has rich pickings, but you’ll need to ask someone where the entrance is - it’s hard to describe).
You can then choose the size of fan you want (there are little dinky ones and huge ones), a set of NiMH cells (1.2 x 10 cells = 12V), battery holders, and a charger. As long as you know how to connect batteries in series, and red to positive, it’s not rocket science.
Anything you buy readymade from the shop is likely to be a bit crap. Bear in mind that the air-moving capacity will be directly related to the size of the battery. A set of 10 AA cells will drive a PC-sized fan for a few hours - that’s all.
No luck in Carrefour and two Xindian camping stores. Will ask at Zhongshan next. Realy, this is a key survival item, mine saved us during the MRT induced power break in summer. Essential.
Have you shown a picture of the item that you wanted or did you have a Chinese person ask for you. This scenario happens many time.
Request something. The shop keeper seems to understand but say no? I ask further, even ask him to repeat what I said. He repeats exactly. He still says no. I notice that he is not understanding anything just repeating like a parrot, sweating and trying to recall the English words that I am not saying. I’ve entered the foreigner zone.
I leave and come back later with said photo. I ask him if he has this. He says that he can get it. I ask him what it was. An embarrassed look appears on his face and he says the item. I asked him if this was indeed what I said, he sheepishly said yes.
Purpose of all this… come armed with a photo. You should be able to find it here. in Taiwan. Try Yahoo auctions.
I’ll visit my techie friend in the next two days. I bet once I get the correct name, I’ll have at least two sources on yahoo action. Good luck .
There is a camping shop next door to the Zhonghe Costco. It has a multipurpose fan/light/DC power cell which sort of fits the bill. They carry some Coleman products, so will try to bring in a picture of the Coleman fan I found on line which is more what I had in mind.
FYI, the shop opens at 11:00 am, first floor is clothes, 2nd floor is other camping gear. If you are in front of Costco facing the street, take a right down the sidewalk and you can’t miss it, they have big glass display windows.