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sparky30_06
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# Posted: 11 Jun 2019 07:38
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So I'm currently looking for some ideas for a ventilator set up. I have several building that I want to put ventilators on. They don't have to run constantly so i was thinking directly wiring them to the solar panel. Most of them are only 192 cubic feet (4' x 6' x 8' tall) and one is 480 sq feet (6' x 10' x 8' tall). They have vents on the gable ends up high so was thinking the fan would go right there.
Question is has anyone done this, fan recommendations and solar panel recommendations.
Should be a pretty simple set up, want to keep it cheap, simple and easy
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offgrididaho
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# Posted: 11 Jun 2019 11:37
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No real specific recommendations, just share some experience from the marine world... I would suggest NOT getting sucked in by any sort of "all in one" product, I have used some solar vents on boats that as soon as one little part fails the whole thing is useless and you have this custom cut hole in your boat that you have to do something with.
Sounds like you're heading down that road anyway, but I would certainly suggest going for separate components that you can source best quality for and replace individual components if they fail.
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sparky30_06
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# Posted: 13 Jun 2019 13:41
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offgrididaho
exiting that road!!! thanks
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 13 Jun 2019 15:10 - Edited by: Steve_S
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I'll make a suggestion that if your even a "Light Duty Tinkerer" could manage easily enough.
Coaxial Fans or even the cheaper Box Fans (like those used in computers) are available in virtually any voltage and are capable of moving 100CFM + for the bigger ones (up to 12"). These work really well, are as cheap as dirt too.
Simply use a 12V solar panel (like those Coleman ones or others out there) and use it to charge / maintain a small 12V "Utility battery" like you'd have on your lawn tractor... It Works, I have a 12V AGM (big truck one one) attached to a coleman 100W Panel & Charger, that feeds power to my small 12V Powered RV Furnace in my powerhouse over the winter months, which for it is overkill BUT I wanted to be able to use that battery to boost a vehicle if needed, so it has taps outside to do that.
Next simple 12V wiring to your fans from battery and voila. There are many 12V thermostatic relays (< $10) or any number of ways to regulate temps etc...
IF anyone says they won't do it... HUMBUG ! My Air Exchanger is built with AC Infinity ones (real coaxial fans & Controls) and I've used the cheapo Chinese ones for years without issue on many things, including thousands of dollars worth of Heavy Gaming Class computers.
Have a look here, used these on my air exchange system: https://www.acinfinity.com/quiet-usb-fans/ These are ones I used with the Temperature Control Module. NOTE, they are only 7.5 Volts ! and USB so you can use a 12V Car Adapter to USB for power. These are NOT cheapo Chinese fans either, real aluminium casings and proper ball bearings etc...
IF you look at their "Closet" ventilation and others, you may find a cleaner option. They also list them out by volts etc...
Or you can go cheaper with the Chinese computer fans, which work fine too BUT may burn out after a couple of years constant use. and you'll have to rig up some sort of temp regulator or so.
BTW: As you look thorough AC Infinity, you'll see many solutions to cooling, venting etc... Perfect for Cabineers, Boaters & RV'ers.
Hope that helps, Good Luck.
Steve
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sparky30_06
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# Posted: 14 Jun 2019 08:05
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Steve_S
Thanks for some more ideas. I have several 12ah rechargeable batteries that we use in feeders that I could use. Like the idea of a t-stat also. Was going the simple route of suns up, fan runs, but a t-stat could be a nice upgrade.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 14 Jun 2019 14:22
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Those batteries would be more than sufficient no doubt.
I don't remember if you have a solar kit for this but if you shop around for Coleman, Sunforce and similar ones, they often have "kits" go on sale cheap (often around father's day BTW) and well worth it. I bought my little one that I use for the furnace with charge controller for something like $75 on a special door crasher sale.
Having a thermostat is nice because if it's hot out and hot at night, you likely would still want to move air... especially on humid days. Actually, I think the AC Infinity stuff has models that check humidity too now. BTW, their stuff is ultra quiet and very efficient.
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sparky30_06
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# Posted: 17 Jun 2019 07:53
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Ultra quiet is very important!! I don't mind spending money on quality.
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