Solar powered shed cooling!

dekez

dekez

dekez

Soldato
Joined
14 Apr 2009
Posts
4,329
Location
Location: Location
My shed is now a proper PC case with a solar powered in-take fan to keep the shed folder cool! :cool:

First step was make a hole in the door and put in a vent cover, a bit of roof mastic around the edges to keep it water tight:

img0704p.jpg


Then add el cheapo fan to the other side and attach the solar panel, this is a £9.99 car trickle charger pannel that had some nice crocodile clips already on.

img0703o.jpg


Then position the solar panel on the roof, as the panel isn't weather proof so I'm simply going to put it up when the weather is hot, which is really only when it is needed.

img0706p.jpg


And it works!!! The angle of the panel is very important though, in the morning and evening sun there is not enough to power the fan as the angle of the sun is too great, but between about 11-4 it works, it's not a massive flow of air but pretty good and certainly better than nothing. :)

At the moment I've only got a bit of old plant pot creating the angle, but will try to shape a bit of wood or something to get a better angle, the better the angle the more air flow.

Now I just have to hope next doors cat doesn't **** on it!! :p
 
Good on ya! Next step: cover roof in solar panels to offset the leccy cost of folding? :) The government really should be subsidising micro generation more IMO, instead of wasting money left, right and centre Solar panels, though expensive now would benefit from mass production/adoption in new build houses. But, that's another story!

Out of interest, what sort of juice does it make in good conditions?
 
Last edited:
Definitely, I'd did originally have a look into large panels for the whole roof but like you say way too expensive at the moment :(.

It's rated at 17.5V, 1.5W and when I first got it I tested it in sunlight and it was giving 22.5V, 0.08 amp, although I imagine now it's probably a bit more in the midday sun.
 
like it;)

the other option is to have the panel charging a car battery and then run the fan off that.(im sure you thought about that) and high street retailer often has big panels at discount 0 look out for some end of the summer! usually had for less than half price.
 
Next-step: weatherproof it. Who makes a trickle charger, which is meant to be there in the background without you worrying about it whatever the weather, non-weatherproof :confused: Unless you're meant to put it on the dash or something.

Covering it in clingfilm would probably be the easiest :p
 
mymorph said:
like it;)

the other option is to have the panel charging a car battery and then run the fan off that.(im sure you thought about that) and high street retailer often has big panels at discount 0 look out for some end of the summer! usually had for less than half price.
Click to expand...

Cheers I will keep an eye out for them, I did consider a battery but this keeps things simple, when it's sunny - shed is hot - fan comes on :p

miniyazz said:
Next-step: weatherproof it. Who makes a trickle charger, which is meant to be there in the background without you worrying about it whatever the weather, non-weatherproof :confused: Unless you're meant to put it on the dash or something.

Covering it in clingfilm would probably be the easiest :p
Click to expand...

Yeah it is annoying, it does come with a cigarette adapter as well so I think it is designed to sit on the dash. Anything I do to weather proof it though will most likely reduce its effectiveness :(, so for the moment I'll just be putting it out on glorious days like today. (it takes like 5 seconds to move it from its hook inside the shed and put it out, so not a major hassle)
 
just to chime in my own solar power experiences.
I have a power gorilla battery and 2x solar gorillas (max output of each : 20V 500 mAh, apparently) to try and keep it juiced up.
Unfortunately, my 1530xps is a little bit too much of a power hog to get continuous operation. Have to try and find an adaptor to fit my samsung netbook, this I think it has a better chance of doing. But it keeps my iphone nicely charged over this sunny weather....
 
My 9.99 ****** panel won't keep a 12V car battery charged even with no load on it :( Ok Mine is behind a window but it is South facing so gets good sunlight and the panel is angled to get best output.
 
picnic said:
My 9.99 ****** panel won't keep a 12V car battery charged even with no load on it :( Ok Mine is behind a window but it is South facing so gets good sunlight and the panel is angled to get best output.
Click to expand...

I found the output reduced quite considerably behind a window, and the angle was very important, if it isn't pointing at the sun it doesn't work either, which is pretty bad as I think it is designed to work on your dashboard (which I doubt it would).

But for the purpose of powering a single fan it seems to be ok, and it only costs a tenner.:)

I might see about getting a more energy efficient fan, the current one is a couple of quid ebay jobby, a better fan could potentialy increase the airflow or extend the hours of operation.
 
I think you need to use it's output to control an actuator so it's always pointing directly at the sun. Probably have nothing left over to run the fan/charge a battery though ;)

My window is of course double glazed to. Double whammy
 
a window shouldn't make a massive differance (unless low e)
angle will - but 15 degree south should be fine for this time of year
(40 is better for all year as it catches more winter sun)

But the bit they don't tell you is shadow make a massive differance.
if just 1% of the panel is shaded the whole pannel is at 30% efficency.
A white cloud is not counted as shade btw - but does knock it down to ~50% max

as to actuator - have a mirror mounted on one, reflecting/focusing light is the better option.
more than a tenner mind :(
 
Last edited:
Thanks SS I still need to create a proper stand so will set it for 15 degrees. I might get another panel and run them in parallel (if that is possible?) to get a bit more power.
 
Before you know it he is going to have spent thousands on PV panels and a wind turbine. To power a 12v computer case fan! :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom