DIY Solar-Powered Shipping Container Ventilation

[@WaltWW]

Another key thing to keep moisture out of the container is to raise it off the ground (at least a foot is good) so that air can flow under it. As a secondary bonus, it helps prevent animals from living under the container also.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

ONLY suggestion is to keep a RECORD of how many hours you are running it to get a idea how long the fan will last running continually

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

I put one of these in the center of mine, solved the problem 12'' Attic Steel Wind Turbine Roof Vent Exhaust Fan Rotary Ventilator Steel

[@keithdeas69]

the switch in your list shows a momentary type switch, possibly the wrong link?

[@HarrisT]

Good catch. You’ll want a latching switch. Thanks for letting me know, I’ll get that changed. I actually had that switch fail on me within the last few weeks. I hardwired it to blow into the container, it seems to work better than pulling the air out of the container.

[@keithdeas69]

@@HarrisT i enjoyed your vid, started accumulating the parts you listed. i agree with pulling air into instead of pushing air into, the low pressure of pulling the air will cool off the incoming air..

[@jamesfalvey77]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

[@HarrisT]

Glad this was helpful 👍 stay tuned

[@jamesfalvey77]

Have you noticed more air being pushed out or pulled in , in the configuration of this video?

[@HarrisT]

@@jamesfalvey77 I have it pulling air in from the outside currently, because I think the radiator fan blades are designed to do that. To be completely honest though, I can’t really tell much of a difference either way.

[@jamesfalvey77]

@@HarrisT I'm doing the exact same thing with the exact equipment. I am of the same opinion, however, I wanted to ask

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

@@HarrisT I think only circulation is what's needed and not so much volume, I bought a 40ft one in Ga to store stuff in, didn't know about the condensation issue, a year latter when I went into it EVERYTHING was ruined, lost many family photos even though I had them well boxed up all that got soaked

[@MartinMacKinnon-d4c]

With this set up can you add a few led lights inside the container

[@HarrisT]

This setup only really works in daylight. Otherwise you’d need batteries for power during night time. I’m making another video on solar and battery banks soon. Check it out 👍

[@aunttriciaattic]

I was sent your video thanks. I have never understood why people put the solar panels on top of a building when they can put them on the side. That's what I'm going to do I'm going to put it on the side.

[@HarrisT]

Thanks for watching! Stay tuned 👍

[@joestalin2375]

Understand the tilt angle in your latitude for optimum solar insolation, the snow may not accumulate on the panels if on the walls,good luck !

[@joestalin2375]

Understand the tilt angle in your latitude for optimum solar insolation, the snow may not accumulate on the panels if on the walls,good luck !

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

I'm thinking all the original made in vents will probably be sufficient with that fan added

[@HarrisT]

The original vents are tiny and I think they’re only for pressure equalization. Not really enough area to really get good airflow 👍

[@jessiemartinez7681]

it appears that you had that vent built in at some point? I too just bought a shipping container and am currently researching venting solutions. I like your setup. good work.

[@HarrisT]

Yeah I had the vents built in when I ordered the container. I mentioned it somewhere in the video. You’ll need some basic metal fab skills to do it yourself. At the most basic level you could cut a hole and put some 1/8th inch screen over it. Though the fan would most certainly run more efficiently mounted on a flat surface, rather than the ribs. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@ScottCain-h3y]

Looks great. I bought enough for 2 vents. I was going to try a push/pull system. One on one side of the container pushing air in and the other on the other side pushing air out. What do you think?

[@HarrisT]

Sounds like a good idea to me! You’ll only need a Regular 2 position switch if you’re doing that, I think.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

@@HarrisT So a 2 position switch would be only connecting one wire ( the same one ) on each side of the switch? What size fuse did you use, do you think that's really needed?

[@MrBubba123bubba]

Have you noticed any difference in the humidity/temps?

[@HarrisT]

I don’t have a temp or humidity gauge in there but what I can tell you is there has been no condensation through multiple snow/thaw cycles and the the fan is still cookin. It’s definitely working 👍

[@joestalin2375]

​@@HarrisT Consider adding a small batter to run the fan 1 hour after the sun goes down and putting in a couple floor vents so the fan can pull the cool air in from underneath-geo thermal. Good luck !

[@joestalin2375]

​@@HarrisT Consider adding a small batter to run the fan 1 hour after the sun goes down and putting in a couple floor vents so the fan can pull the cool air in from underneath-geo thermal. Good luck !

[@mikegrok]

@@joestalin2375 unfortunately even though the floor is often cooler, it is also often wetter, and provides a way for insects and rodents to enter. all containers have little vents on the sides near the roof, it is better for the incoming air to be a bit warmer than to have a rat infestation.

[@joestalin2375]

@@mikegrok Don't leave a open hole use a sreened floor grill you can close,peace bro!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

This is EXACTLY what want to do & I'm a idiot with such, I'll set mine up exactly the same, I considering putting mine in the door

[@mikegrok]

I bet something else which would also work is a chimney that is about 8 feet tall. Just leave enough space for the air to thermally accelerate.

[@HarrisT]

That is an interesting thought, I’ll be installing another container soon that has poorer light conditions so solar may not be an option. I should give this a try. Stay tuned 👍

[@mikegrok]

@@HarrisT I am installing air conditioners on my containers and insulating them with rigid foam, so it will be quite different. One cheap thing I did is paint the roof with "APOC 243" from lowes. 2 coats has solar UV reflection of 80% when new, and 76% after 3 years. It goes a long ways to making it comfortable inside. $100 in paint covers 500sqft in 2 coats. There is an $8 brush right next to the paint which lets you put it on similarly to a mop. It took 3 hours to cover 1000sqft of container roofs. The only gotcha with that stuff is you have to put on the thinnest coat possible, then let it dry for 48 hours or it will not cure right, and be a goopy mess for weeks.

[@mikegrok]

@@HarrisT I ment solar heat reflection, and at night it had about 80% heat radiation. So it is not just an insulator, but it keeps it cool. So not as desirable if you need to heat it in the winter.

[@HarrisT]

@@mikegrok thanks for the info!