Bench Test! 12v / 24v / Series car radiator fans for solar shed ventilation

Рет қаралды 3,670

2 ай бұрын

How do 12v, 24v, and 12v + 12V series connected car radiator fans compare in direct drive solar applications? What about connecting 2 12 volt fans in series? This is a bench test and comparison of 12v / 24v volt DC car radiator fans for solar powered shed ventilation. Rather than use a solar panel, I used a constant current constant voltage power supply. Solar panels are a current limited source, so their behavior can be simulated with a CC/CV bench power supply.
12v car radiator fans are cheaper and will run on a single 50 watt solar panel - but they don't match well in terms of efficiency. A DC converter can help, but it adds complexity. While 24v car radiator fans typically cost more than 12 volt fans, in theory shouldn't need a DC converter to run off of a 50 watt 12 volt solar panel. This video shows a scientific bench test in my solar workshop of both 12v, 12v + 12v in series and 24v car radiator fans.
The 24v fan is already running in my smaller shed in place of the original 12 volt fan, running straight off of a 50 watt solar panel. I call this PV-to-Load as it's an appliance connected directly to the solar panel array with no battery, no charge controller and no inverter. In this case, there is no DC converter either.
Note some of these fans might be called an "AC Condenser fan". But it's pretty much the same thing as a car radiator fan.
Hope this video helps you out. Note the really small fans can be cheaper, but they aren't as efficient. 12-14 inches is best for shed ventilation.
Solar Shed Ventilation - a great way to learn about solar power! Gain new DIY skills and leverage solar to do useful work on your property.
Be careful using any DC fan connected to a solar panel, as they usually don't have anything protecting or covering the blades. There should be a mesh covering or grille over the fan at all times while in operation.
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🟢 Check it out! My Complete Guide to Solar Shed Ventilation:
• SOLAR shed ventilation...
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🟢 Components Explained - Solar Shed Ventilation
• Solar Shed Ventilation...
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🟢 Solar Shed Ventilation - follow up on brushless DC fan install
• Low Voltage Solar Shed...
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🔗 The second fan installation in my other shed
• Low Voltage Solar Shed...
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🔗 Older video showing test of my first fan
• Update On Solar Shed V...
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🔗 Older shed video showing various solar stuff
• Solar Shed - LiFePo4 M...
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24v outdoor fan test with 50w solar panel
• 24v Solar Shed Ventila...
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//// Parts List for this video is below! ////
🟢 24v fans on Amazon - note these are affiliate links, I may receive a small commission if you use these links. Thank you :)
amzn.to/3viVqFI Several 24v car radiator fans
amzn.to/3TEhpQR 10 inch 24 volt
amzn.to/491tZ0Y 14 inch 24 volt car radiator fan
amzn.to/43nKNOq 10 inch 24 volt option 2
amzn.to/3UYuvb2 24v AC condenser fan option (shown in video)
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#shed #sheds #solar #ventilation
#offgrid
#offgridsolar
#pv2l #pvtoload
#solar #offgrid #offgridsolarpowersystem #offgridandongrid
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Пікірлер: 24

@mikehughesdesigns 2 ай бұрын

You can use the 2 12volt fans on opposite sides of the shed: one pulling air in the other blowing it out...

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@mikehughesdesigns right on... great idea

@pat2965 24 күн бұрын

I've been trying to think of ways to use solar in my cheap amazon greenhouse build, and the algorithm led me to your videos. This series is amazing and thank you so much. I've learned so much and I was leaning towards just using power from the grid in my greenhouse, but now I am considering solar. I was also trying to think of the cheapest way to run those fans at night off of a battery, but I am going to continue doing research until I find the best solution.

@solarpoweredge 24 күн бұрын

@pat2965 Most welcome :) your feedback is very encouraging, glad the videos were useful. What if you switch to grid supply at night? That could be an interim step while you research energy storage. This is what I've done in years past and it brought me into solar gradually over time

@Deveak 2 ай бұрын

They probably cost more (24 volt) because a lack of scale. 12 volt is by far more common. 24 is mostly in large equipment and trucks. Like bulldozers or semi trucks. The lower sale volume and lack of demand vs 12 volts (massive market) means its more specialized and expensive. Great video, gives me lots of ideas.

@jacobcarlson4010 2 ай бұрын

Can’t speak to bulldozers, but every semi truck I’ve ever driven (sample size of 16) uses a standard 12 volt electrical system. Nothing special there.

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@Deveak That certainly explains it, good points. Glad you liked this one and thanks for watching

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@Deveak I don't know a lot about them, but some military vehicles are apparently 24v. Outnumbered by cars for sure

@Brett-ui9zq 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the nice direct comparison!

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@Brett-ui9zq Welcome!! :D

@stjimtemyth995 Ай бұрын

fyi in car dashboards is another type of blower fan. easier to direct the output of air. was interesting to listen to the different air output with different amounts of sun. (direct coupled to solar panel)

@solarpoweredge Ай бұрын

@stjimtemyth995 Thank you... good idea, I will look into the 12v blower fans, they appear to be quite powerful

@user-wt4hi2xe4m 2 ай бұрын

Can you do a CFM comparison with a 12v vs a 24v on a 50 watt solar panel by chance?

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@user-wt4hi2xe4m Good idea but I don't have any means to accurately measure CFM. The max CFM of the 12v 12 inch is 1550 which is probably a bit optimistic. One of those wind speed indicators and some math could solve this question. I might grab one of those when I get the chance.

@dougscott2408 2 ай бұрын

Two 12s in series is 2 watts more, but, but if you used one to bring air in and one to exhaust air or if ypu had the sofit venting to make two exhaust at each gable, i can only imagine twice the air flow, even though you could hear the speed changes between the fans... to compare apples to apples we need to get rpm and / or cubic ft per min comparisons to see which fans are most efficient... given the power consumption... great video... ive been thinking about car fans for some time with solar... love to see your install...

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@dougscott2408 Good thinking sir. Thanks for the positive feedback. CFM and RPM data would be great to have. Hope I can cover that in the next video. Most recent install is via the windows in the largest shed (they have a screen, plus no need to damage the shed further) 12v car fan + 12v BLDC fan + 150w solar. Unfortunately the gable vents are small, so I open the doors sometimes to move more air. 24v fan + 50w solar for a small metal shed. Works good but might upgrade a little. *For reference all shed fan videos are listed here kzfaq.info/sun/PL8a6nRTNyF9NaLLnvv7lxb0F5TGonkPyY

@jeffp7776 14 күн бұрын

I have enjoyed your videos on these fans and had the idea before but was un sure how to execute it and your information was of great help, I greatly appreciate it. I do have a question, I have some existing mechanical attic fans that have died from old age. Rather than replacing the 120v AC motor with OEM type Id like to use one of these 12v DC units, the catch is I need to run them into the evening after the sun has gone down. I'm sure I could run them off of some type of battery set up and I am not excluding this yet, however I would rather hard wire these 12cDC units (or any 12vDC units for that matter) off of stepped down 120AC. My existing fans (3) are all wired to one breaker in the panel it would be great to use this wiring to pull this off. I took a chance asking this because I see you answer almost all the questions. I am willing to pay for your advice on this if that is something you do. Thank you

@solarpoweredge 14 күн бұрын

@jeffp7776 Hi and glad you are enjoying the videos... I am extremely overwhelmed at the moment due to health issues and other matters, so I have to keep this short. Just thinking through your project, some kind of 12v AC-DC converter could be an option. They are very common and not too expensive. Probably need 20-30 amps (estimate). Could place one downstairs with a fuse block, and run the 12v into the attic. You can certainly run DC fans instead of AC. I'd under-volt them (~10v) to reduce overheating risks in the attic. The existing wires can be disconnected and used for 12v if needed too. There is nothing wrong with re-using those wires for 12v, as long as they are disconnected from the AC breaker box and have fuses. Hope this helps or at least gives you some ideas? Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!!!

@jeffp7776 14 күн бұрын

@@solarpoweredge Thank you for the response I appreciate it. Take care of yourself I’ve had some issues lately (healthy for 55 years) so it is a big strain both mentally and physically. Hope all turns out well.

@solarpoweredge 14 күн бұрын

@jeffp7776 Welcome, and you're absolutely right. Take care... hoping for better times!

@RubberDuc Ай бұрын

Hi, could you help me understand how 2 fans rated at 80 watts runs just as good/strong or even better then a single fan with a 100w solar panel. Logically it seems like you'd be asking the panel to run 160 watts? I have this setup and would love to run another fan to double the airflow but would like to understand how this works? Just seems like to me is "should" run half as fast or not at all b/c of the watts being asked of the panel when you double the 80w fan? Thanks!!!

@solarpoweredge Ай бұрын

@RubberDuc Hello, a solar panel requires a load of a certain impedance (resistance) in order to reach the most efficient voltage. Wattage is simply volts X amps, but that's all governed by impedance as well (Ohms Formula aka law - I/V/R). A 12v 85w fan is not really a good match for a 12v panel, too low impedance. Putting 2 in series develops more power overall because the solar panel voltage actually increases. To understand more about solar panel behavior and impedance matching directly attached loads, please see my video here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mq9-aqqr0ZbKmJs.html

@NBC_NCO 2 ай бұрын

What's the CFM of the fans?

@solarpoweredge 2 ай бұрын

@NBC_NCO Around 1500 running wide open unrestricted. But I wouldn't run them that fast all day, they get very hot. I have no available way to measure CFM at lower power levels. Might try measuring RPM with a tachometer for comparison.