Tempest VS-1.3H HURST Battery PPV Fan: 8,400 CFM Ventilation on the Same Batteries as Your Jaws of Life

Every extra piece of equipment on a rescue apparatus creates another battery platform to manage, another charger to monitor, another thing that can go dead at the worst possible moment. For departments already running HURST Jaws of Life extrication tools, the standard battery-powered PPV fan has always been exactly that kind of redundancy problem. The Tempest VS-1.3H was engineered to eliminate it entirely. It draws from the same HURST E3/EWXT rescue battery pack your crew already carries, delivers a constant 8,400 CFM without voltage sag degradation, and does it in an IP65-rated housing tough enough for active fire ground operations. This is what genuine cross-platform consolidation looks like in the fire service.

What is the Tempest VS-1.3H and how does it differ from a standard battery PPV fan?

The Tempest VS-1.3H is a battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fan purpose-built to accept HURST Jaws of Life E3 and EWXT rescue batteries, rather than proprietary fan batteries. It delivers 8,400 CFM through 18-inch blades driven by a 0.9 HP motor, with a complete system weight of 50 lbs. including two batteries.

Standard battery PPV fans ship with their own dedicated battery pack, forcing apparatus operators to carry and maintain separate charging systems for ventilation equipment alongside extrication tools. The VS-1.3H instead accepts the same HURST E3 or EWXT 9Ah or 5Ah batteries already on board for hydraulic rescue operations. One battery platform covers two critical fireground functions. Manufactured at Tempest’s facility at 4708 N. Blythe Avenue in Fresno, California, the fan is designed, fabricated, and built entirely in the USA, which also simplifies procurement for departments with domestic-origin requirements.

How does the dynamic battery management system maintain constant CFM output?

The VS-1.3H uses an active dynamic battery management system that holds constant CFM output at full power from the start of a battery cycle through complete discharge. This is a meaningful mechanical distinction: most battery-driven fans deliver peak airflow at full charge and progressively reduce output as voltage drops during the discharge curve.

The VS-1.3H’s management system compensates for voltage drop in real time, sustaining 8,400 CFM for the full rated 35-minute run time on a single set of two HURST E3 or EWXT batteries. For incident commanders, this means flow-path calculations made at the start of ventilation operations remain valid through the entire battery cycle. There is no degraded second half of the cycle where CFM quietly drops below what was planned. The 35-minute constant-output figure is measured through full discharge, not peak or initial output only.

What does IP65 protection mean for a PPV fan used in fire and rescue operations?

IP65 is an ingress protection rating defined under IEC standard 60529. The first digit, 6, indicates complete dust-tightness. The second digit, 5, indicates resistance to water projected from a nozzle in any direction. For fire ground equipment, this means the motor and battery housings are protected against both particulate contamination from smoke and ash and direct water contact from hoselines or rain.

On the VS-1.3H, IP65 protection applies to both the motor housing and the battery units themselves. This dual-component rating matters because the battery interface is often the failure point on fire ground electrical equipment: connections and housing seams get exposed to water runoff, steam, and debris during active operations. An IP65-rated battery combined with an IP65-rated motor provides a continuous protection envelope across the entire power train, not just the motor in isolation. Departments operating in wet climates or frequently deploying fans during active suppression benefit directly from this rating level.

When should a department choose Shore Power over battery mode on the VS-1.3H?

Shore Power compatibility on the VS-1.3H allows the fan to operate on standard AC power when battery run time becomes a limiting factor. The 35-minute battery run time covers the majority of initial attack and primary ventilation operations, but extended operations such as overhaul, rehabilitation of a multi-story structure, or prolonged search scenarios can exceed that window.

Shore Power mode is available out of the box without any additional conversion hardware. Departments staging the VS-1.3H at a fixed facility such as a rehabilitation sector during a major incident can connect to available AC power and run continuously without consuming rescue battery capacity. This also preserves HURST E3 or EWXT battery charge for continued extrication operations when both ventilation and rescue tools are needed simultaneously on the same scene. The choice is straightforward: battery mode for mobility and rapid deployment, Shore Power for operations where an AC source is accessible and run time needs are open-ended.

How do the VS-1.3H’s physical design features support fire ground maneuverability?

The VS-1.3H incorporates a wider base footprint and larger wheels compared to standard compact PPV fan designs, addressing one of the consistent practical problems with battery-powered fans: stability and mobility across uneven terrain. Fire ground surfaces include hose lines, debris, gravel, mud, and thresholds, none of which are flat pavement.

The larger wheels allow operators to roll the 50 lb. fan across those surfaces without lifting, reducing handling fatigue during rapid deployment. The wider base reduces tip-over risk when the fan is set at an angled position relative to a doorway. The VS-1.3H also includes precise locking tilt angles, so the fan can be locked to direct airflow at a specific entry point without the base shifting under the load of the motor torque. Automatic LED flow-path lighting activates to assist operators working in low-visibility conditions during setup and repositioning, without requiring a separate hand light to be staged.

What are the primary applications for the Tempest VS-1.3H on the apparatus?

The VS-1.3H is purpose-designed for rescue and extrication companies, engine companies, and combination apparatus already carrying HURST Jaws of Life toolsets. Its battery compatibility makes it a natural fit for any unit where battery platform consolidation is a priority, particularly where apparatus space and weight budget are constrained.

Core deployment scenarios include structural fire ventilation during initial attack, post-knockdown overhaul ventilation, carbon monoxide and smoke removal in residential and commercial occupancies, and tactical ventilation support during vehicle extrication operations where cab fires or fuel-related smoke are present. For departments equipping new apparatus or replacing aging gas-powered PPV fans, the VS-1.3H offers a direct replacement path without introducing a new battery ecosystem to manage. You can explore the full range of fire equipment available through PE Energy for apparatus outfitting, including complementary fire fighting fans and PPV ventilation equipment. For departments specifically evaluating Tempest products, the Tempest brand page at PE Energy covers the available fan models, accessories, and ordering information. Departments integrating ventilation equipment with broader rescue equipment procurement will find that the HURST battery compatibility directly simplifies cross-category apparatus planning. Review the Tempest VS-1.3H product listing for current stock and ordering details.

How does the VS-1.3H compare to other fans in the Tempest battery PPV lineup?

Tempest produces multiple battery PPV fan models configured for different battery platforms. The VS-1.3H is the variant engineered specifically around the HURST Jaws of Life E3 and EWXT battery format. Other Tempest battery fans in the VS series are configured for different OEM rescue battery platforms, allowing departments to match the fan to the specific extrication tool battery already in service.

The distinguishing spec on the VS-1.3H within the Tempest lineup is the HURST platform compatibility combined with the IP65 dual-component rating and Shore Power standard inclusion. The 8,400 CFM output through 18-inch blades positions it as a full-output ventilation fan, not a compact or supplemental unit. At 50 lbs. with batteries installed, it is a manageable single-operator deployment weight for most departments. The item number for ordering is 910-1880, listed as the VS1.3 HURST Basic configuration without battery or charger included, since the operating premise is that HURST batteries are already on the apparatus. For further technical reference, Tempest’s official product site at tempest.us.com provides detailed specification sheets and compatibility guides for the full VS series.

When is the VS-1.3H the right call, and when is it not?

The VS-1.3H is the correct choice for any apparatus that already carries HURST Jaws of Life E3 or EWXT batteries and needs a battery PPV fan without adding a second charging and battery management system. The IP65 dual rating, constant-output dynamic battery management, and Shore Power fallback make it a complete solution for rescue companies running ventilation alongside extrication operations.

It is not the right tool when a department runs a different extrication battery platform, such as Holmatro, Weber, or Amkus, where the HURST-specific battery interface provides no consolidation benefit. In those cases, a different Tempest VS-series variant configured for the applicable rescue battery platform is the appropriate selection. The VS-1.3H is also not sized for applications requiring airflow substantially above 8,400 CFM, such as large-floor-plate commercial buildings where higher-output gas or high-volume electric fans are needed. For standard residential and small commercial structural ventilation paired with HURST extrication equipment, however, the VS-1.3H closes the battery consolidation gap that has been an open problem on rescue apparatus for years.

Tempest Fire

VS-1.3H HURST® Battery PPV Fan

HURST® Jaws of Life® Compatible | 8,400 CFM | IP65 Rated | Made in USA

Overview

The Tempest VS-1.3H is designed specifically for departments that rely on HURST® Jaws of Life® rescue tools. It runs on 2 removable HURST® E3™/EWXT™ 9Ah or 5Ah rescue batteries — the same batteries already carried for hydraulic rescue tools — delivering 8,400 CFM of PPV ventilation for 35 minutes.

IP65-rated batteries and motor, plus Shore Power compatibility, make the VS-1.3H an ideal cross-platform investment for rescue/extrication companies that want to consolidate battery platforms on the truck.

Models & Ordering Information

Manufacturer: Tempest — 4708 N. Blythe Avenue, Fresno, California 93722 USA — tempest.us.com