SOLAR shed ventilation! COMPLETE GUIDE - cooling chicken coops and outbuildings

[@davidpopowicz7689]

Stumbled upon the video as not many exist on the specific subject of solar project/ shed ventilation, quite enjoyed it as you went a bit more in-depth than most people would! When ordering components for a car jumper project with headway cells I stumbled upon surplus fans at Battery hookups (80mm x 80mm). They were 1-2 dollars and my storage project needed cooling bought the normal ones and 2 very substantial 24v 1.6 amp fans that ran at 9000rpm pushing 124cfm. These surprisingly were able to also lift 1.88 inches of water so lots of static pressure!

[@solarpoweredge]

Thanks I appreciate the good feedback! Those fans sound like a real party especially for the price. I didn't even know BH sold fans, checking them out now.

[@Deveak]

I’ve been giving direct solar loads a lot of thought lately. Especially considering 18-20/40 volt power tools run very well of native solar panel voltages. RV stay all diaphragm pumps are excellent candidates for something like this. A large pressure tank and oversized array would give consistent water pressure, some of it j to the night. Anytime you eliminate a battery you add redundancy to a system. A switch can always swamp it over to a battery if it fails. 18 and 40 volt motors are becoming cheap and common from all the used or broken consumer grade tools and appliances.I’m thinking about swapping a drill motor into a box fan for something like this. Mostly because I like the box fan form factor. Panels are cheap and last a lifetime. Batteries and expensive controllers and inverters on the other hand are wasteful and expensive. Hard time finding a high amp adjustable buck or boost dc to dc circuit. Most of the cheap ones like for golf carts put out a set voltage. Do you have a preferred brand or source?

[@solarpoweredge]

Hi, these are great thoughts. You might enjoy some of my older videos... running stuff off of solar panels is pretty much what I love doing. For example, check out my Ryobi solar panel hot glue gun, soldering iron and ran 2 drills too :) I can't post links here in the chat, but there are some pretty beefy DC-DC converters with and without programmable LCD screens on Amzn. Just search for "dc buck converter". Some are hundreds of watts. I've seen one that claimed 1000w but it's probably more like 500+. The golf cart ones are good for simple 12V stuff, but the adjustable ones give great flexibility. If you can't find them, let me know and I'll search for their names. For example "drok dc to dc" should list at least one big DC converter for you to check out.

[@loveusoc]

thank you

[@solarpoweredge]

@loveusoc Welcome!! :)

[@bryanlorenzo5322]

I just finished watching your first experiment video on this project and I learned a lot. I'm new to all of this and I'm no electrician. I want to connect (3) 12v 80w Aux fans (same as yours) to a solar panel. Can I use a 300w solar panel to cover the need of the 3 fans?

[@solarpoweredge]

Glad to hear it and thanks for watching :) 1) A 100w 12v solar panel easily powers a 12V 80w car radiator fan in good sun conditions. Depending on the panel, voltage may reach up to 12-13V without any electronics. But some of these fans may get too hot to touch at that voltage when run all day - potentially overheating. Just FYI 2) 300w solar should power the 3 fans no problem. 3) If concerned about fan lifetime, I recommend limiting the voltage to max 10V somehow. They will run slower, but cooler. Could use 1 or 3 heavy duty PWM motor speed controllers or DC converters. If there is some way to run them straight off the solar panel safely, this is the best option because it is so simple and less to go go wrong. Solar fans are lots of fun to experiment with!

[@bryanlorenzo5322]

@@solarpoweredge So glad you replied so quickly. It's getting hot where I am and I really want to start this project. I found out the solar panel is 300W w/ 18V Solar module. Am I going to burn these fans? Thanks.

[@solarpoweredge]

It depends on the voltage. That's a very powerful solar panel, what is the voltage at maximum power? It's on the label on back usually. Here's what I'd do, set up a test rig with the solar panel in sunny conditions, wire 3 fans in parallel with a DC circuit breaker and secure them. Connect a voltmeter across the circuit, turn the fans on for 5 seconds and watch the voltage. If it's too high, here are some options: 1) Use a DC regulator (golf cart 12v converter) probably one converter per fan. 2) These are 12V fans right? Consider wiring in series (2 12V fans in series for 24V). 3) Or consider 24V fans, but those are much more expensive - could be more efficient though. I have yet to buy a 24V fan due to the unusually high price.

[@JasonMcMahan-x5k]

Great video, have you done a video showing connecting the solar power to controller and battery? Thinking of doing a chicken coop ventilation with battery backup to cool at night if needed. THank you

[@solarpoweredge]

Hello and thanks! I have another video about connecting the components, such as DC converters, linked below. Adding a battery would be pretty easy. Use a solar charge controller to charge a battery from the solar panel, and connect a fan to the load output on the charge controller. Obviously, the solar panel has to be big enough to run the fan plus keep the battery well charged for the night. A 100w panel might be enough, depends on the wattage of the fan. Hope that helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3nclaGLeMyIfLc

[@evilresident5201]

quick question, like you i have the idea of putting 2 16inch fans into my shed for ventilation. What size solar panel would i need to run them comfortably that are already 12v solar panels. and of course, i'd have a similar set-up to you.............?

[@solarpoweredge]

@evilresident5201 Hi, sounds like a plan... a 100 watt 12v solar panel absolutely has adequate power for a single 12v 12 inch (~85w)car radiator fan. Need to check the voltage at peak sun and make sure it's not too high. The 16 inch fans are usually more powerful, but should run fine and at a lower voltage. I recommend considering 2x 100 watt solar panels for good ventilation with 2 fans. Hope this helps!

[@evilresident5201]

​@@solarpoweredge Ok, sounds good. if i was to run a golf cart, to maintain the 12 v...........i have the 2 16 inch fans as noted before ( to push the heat out ), but also have 2 10 inch fans located on the other side of my shed to suck cool air in. I already have a 350w solar panel from a previous play with solar power. The max on the 350w panel says it 18.7 volt. Is my solar panel to big to run all four fans ?.............and with the golf cart handle the max output of 18.7 volt and reduce it to 12v without issue?............. I have individual speed adjusters for the 2 10 inch fans, but am thinking one speed adjuster for the 2 16 inch fans. Or should i go two.......?

[@solarpoweredge]

@evilresident5201 Nice setup! I suspect it can run all 4 fans but not sure what voltage will be produced. Do you have an amp meter or volt meter? I'd recommend measuring the voltage and or amperage of the fans while in operation. And maybe try removing one fan and watch the voltage change. If the speed reducer can handle the current (amps) of both fans, one reducer should be enough. Some of this can be sorted out be just doing some experiments, a good way to learn about solar

[@starchild64]

Do you make house calls? Lol.

[@craig156]

I just built a 10x4 storage shed and it does get awfully hot in there, what size fan do you think I would need? Right now there is no ventilation and was going to just put a couple of those 10”x4” vents to help remove hot air but came across your video and thought Hmmmm. I’m in So Calif.

[@solarpoweredge]

@craig156 Hi, CA is hot... I believe a car radiator fan would do well depending on the size of the vent. There needs to be a place for the cool air to be pulled in, and hot air to flow out unrestricted as possible. If you can get the voltage up to 8-10v, it will push lots of air. If the shed vents are smaller, one of those brushless DC mining fans could work. In the description there is a link to the "SJ" fan, it needs a regulated 12.0v DC supply. Excellent fan and it's in one of my sheds right now. Also using a 12v and 24v radiator fan.

[@anthonyspeelman-4390]

You are the best!

[@solarpoweredge]

Thanks man :) I hope this video was useful, it's been on the to-do list a long time. I have 3 fans cranking in my sheds now lol. Maybe that's a bit over the top. However it's been 80-90F and sure is a lot cooler in there.

[@anthonyspeelman-4390]

@@solarpoweredge I got the 12" 80 watt fan w/ 30 watt panel and with a Lil bit of 🌞 I have decent CFM but I tried hooking up the fan to 20 volt Dewalt battery and it spun like a tornado, I know not smart but hey I say test all your equipment.

[@solarpoweredge]

That is a 100% legit test. Middle shed has a 12" fan also, at around 11v it sounds pretty good! Can't imagine 20v, wow.

[@rtc-1840]

What extension cable do you buy with the Renogy 50W panel?

[@solarpoweredge]

@rtc-1840 Hello, for a single panel it's possible to use either standard "14awg landscape" wiring or standard MC-4 solar cable. I placed links to both in the description, but be sure to check around for the best price. Especially if you only need a few feet of cable, that's the main factor. Hope this helps! DD

[@rtc-1840]

@@solarpoweredge thanks for the reply. One more question, what about the clips used to attach to the fan? Is there a certain type that work best? Thanks!

[@solarpoweredge]

@rtc-1840 Welcome! The simplest route might be to cut and strip the wires on both ends and use standard automotive crimp connectors - but adding a switch or plug is a good idea to turn off the fan when not needed. Using alligator clips is super easy for testing, but frankly they are not safe as a permanent solution. If you have not chosen a fan yet, consider watching this follow-up video about 24v car radiator fans. They work much better for direct solar power, although they cost more. The fan shown is already installed in my shed and runs really well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpvYh5yCjMybgtU

[@richardmatthys7133]

Wish there were links to the fans

[@solarpoweredge]

@richardmatthys7133 I added links to the description with example fans - FYI

[@freniforme]

Where do you buy the radiator fans from?

[@solarpoweredge]

Hello, there are links in the description, but you can find 12V 85W radiator fans very commonly at just about any online retailer, and Auto Parts stores. Hope that helps! DD

[@solarpoweredge]

PS if using a smaller (such as 50W) solar panel, you may also like the SJ style of brushless DC fan - very smooth and powerful, but they need fan grilles (finger guards) as they spin at 4000+ RPM. A link for those in the description too.

[@richardmatthys7133]

Like to see links to the parts.

[@solarpoweredge]

@richardmatthys7133 Hello, they are in the description, please scroll down about half way. If you don't find what you need just let me know

[@richardmatthys7133]

Thanks I'm new to this try to rig up something for my chicken coop here in Oklahoma. Need a battery add on for running at night.

[@solarpoweredge]

@richardmatthys7133 NP... a good sized battery and charge controller should keep the fan running in the night

[@Kurutzkraft]

Could you do a video on the parts and how they are connected?

[@solarpoweredge]

Hi, sure I will upload it soon

[@solarpoweredge]

Here is the video, it's not live yet, but you can watch it using the direct link. Tried to include a lot of detail. Hope this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3nclaGLeMyIfLc

[@richardmatthys7133]

Didn't see a listing for the jig saw blade.

[@richardmatthys7133]

I'd foam board the roof and walls.

[@solarpoweredge]

@richardmatthys7133 That would be awesome

[@kyohiromitsu4010]

How many chickens? 10?

[@solarpoweredge]

I recommend a minimum 50W solar panel and a DC-DC converter: adjust the air flow based on the amount of heat outside and square footage (volume of air inside) of the chicken coop. In overcast weather, if the chickens are very hot, you might want a larger solar panel to ensure the fan keeps spinning at the regulated speed. If there is excess voltage the DC converter will protect the fan and regulate the voltage and speed. Some of this will be trial and error, doing a test would be a good idea.