Solar powered fan?

[DancingArabian]

I would like to put a fan in my horse’s shelter. I board, so I cannot just tear up the property to add an electrical line. I don’t have the means to do that anyway without hiring a contractor, which would likely make this too cost prohibitive. I CAN bring my horse into a stall when it’s very hot, but based on what he’s done to several buckets, and toys, I believe he gets bored. He’s turned out alone, so the cost of this project will be completely out of pocket.

Is there a way to maybe get a solar powered fan and attach it to his shed? Or maybe there’s some other thing I haven’t thought of that might make it more comfortable for him to just stay outside in the pasture?

[PeanutButterPony]

Sorry…no such monkey.

[gumtree]

This was asked a couple of months ago for the same reason. Pretty much what the PeanustButterPony said.

I and others went into a bit more detailed reasons why.

[csaper58]

There are two threads below with great links. Or, call whoever sells solar panels where you live and explain what you want to do. They can help with panels and an inverter.

Or, www.o2-cool.com/FD10001A?page_id=987 These battery fans work well, it would be easy to hook to a solar panel.

[tpup]

I was the OP for the solar fan a while back. There is one! We had it installed for $250 but a handy person can DIY. Here’s the link:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_solar_power;pg109726.html

I must warn - it is not a high speed fan BUT it does move air. I’d describe it as a soft breeze. My horses do stand under it. We bought the thermostat that works with it - it has settings 50-90 degrees and you can set it to turn on/off automatically at the temp you want. Ours is set to 80. I am pretty pleased with it. Wish it were a stronger fan but it works. It moves at about the speed of a ceiling fan on “high”. I’ll try to post pics of it up later. Our handyman made a great mount for the panel to tilt it toward the sky, and a moveable mount for the fan so it can tilt up/down and side to side.

[gumtree]

Pretty good price for that fan and being “plug and play”. But with only being rated at 1,078 CFM, which is about the equivalent of a standard “box fan” set on the lowest speed. At best and I don’t think it will move that much air either. Which IMO would be barely enough to cool a horse in a stall standing in front of it. I can’t really see how it would be of much benefit in a hot run-in shed. 1,000 CFM is not much of a “breeze”.

The fan will only be able to “move” that amount of air when the sun it at its “best” with that size panel. So on over cast days, “low sun” in the morning and late afternoon the fan will run at a much lower speed. Obviously it will not run at night without a “battery pack”. To fill the “tank” the battery pack will have to be recharged during the day. Which will require a much bigger panel set up along with some other “gadgets”

Those fan are not really meant for the intended purpose. They are basically attic fans, small attics at that. They have just enough CFM to move “stagnate” air.

To solar power a standard box fan 24/7 would require spending $1,500 -$2,000 on a 24 volt system. You might be able to get that down to $1,000++. I don’t think there are 12 volt fans big enough for your needs.

How far away is the nearest power source?

This is a link to a solar forum discussing and explaining the same question.

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?4344-Solar-Barn!-Brand-new-need-some-advise/page2

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=tpup;8225276]
I was the OP for the solar fan a while back. There is one! We had it installed for $250 but a handy person can DIY. Here’s the link:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_solar_power;pg109726.html

I must warn - it is not a high speed fan BUT it does move air. I’d describe it as a soft breeze. My horses do stand under it. We bought the thermostat that works with it - it has settings 50-90 degrees and you can set it to turn on/off automatically at the temp you want. Ours is set to 80. I am pretty pleased with it. Wish it were a stronger fan but it works. It moves at about the speed of a ceiling fan on “high”. I’ll try to post pics of it up later. Our handyman made a great mount for the panel to tilt it toward the sky, and a moveable mount for the fan so it can tilt up/down and side to side.[/QUOTE]

As I said in my reply to the OP pretty good price for what it is. I think you are a little optimistic saying that it puts out the same CFM as a ceiling fan set on high.

The “numbers” don’t lie. The average ceiling fan set on low will “move” over 2,000 CFM of air. Not my numbers “industry” numbers. Your fan will move 1,000 CFM under ideal “solar conditions” as per the “specs”. It just doesn’t seem like a “big bang for the buck” for spending around $600. And it doesn’t run at night.

[tpup]

My power source is far away. Trenching would be crazy expensive. We got quotes from solar “companies”. They were all over $2000 and they wanted to panel one half of the entire run in roof. Our fan runs as soon as the sun comes out in the morning and regardless, I have the thermometer control so if it’s not 80 degrees it stays off. It does run on overcast days so it must save up power. I don’t want/need it at night. Luckily my run in is in a breezy area and has 3 windows. I was more concerned with cutting down on bugs and flies and it’s working well. I feel a breeze on my face from it and I’m alot shorter than my horses so I know they feel it too. $600 was way better than $2k or more and didn’t tear up my pasture. So don’t knock my fan!

[poltroon]

Overcast days still can generate power. It’s all about matching the parameters of the situation to the possibilities, and it sounds like tpup has a solution that matches hers, which is excellent.

Where I live for example, there’s hardly ever a need for a fan where the sun isn’t out fiercely.

I’m not sure I would do the install for a situation where I was boarding - it is something of a project, and one I’d want the owner to be personally invested in one way or another.

[DancingArabian]

Thanks tpup! I will try that.

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=tpup;8225503]
My power source is far away. Trenching would be crazy expensive. We got quotes from solar “companies”. They were all over $2000 and they wanted to panel one half of the entire run in roof. Our fan runs as soon as the sun comes out in the morning and regardless, I have the thermometer control so if it’s not 80 degrees it stays off. It does run on overcast days so it must save up power. I don’t want/need it at night. Luckily my run in is in a breezy area and has 3 windows. I was more concerned with cutting down on bugs and flies and it’s working well. I feel a breeze on my face from it and I’m alot shorter than my horses so I know they feel it too. $600 was way better than $2k or more and didn’t tear up my pasture. So don’t knock my fan![/QUOTE]

I was not “knocking” you fan. Nothing personal in my comment. I was merely pointing out facts. So others can make an educated judgment call.

I put my first “off grid” solar power system in a cabin in Colorado in the late 80s. I am not an expert but have a better than average understanding of how these things work and the cost of. I am fairly well versed in the “nuts and bolts” and what someone should expect for money spent.

Yes, a fair amount of power will be generated on a cloudy over cast day. More than most people realize.The amount “captured” depends on the quality and size of the solar panel and its position to the sun. We had to constantly monitor our power usage and battery charging. Didn’t exactly have a lot of money to work with and MacGyvered a lot of things. A system back than cost a lot more than they do now. But it is still very expensive.

The fan you installed does a very decent job for the money. If you are happy with it fine. Others may be very disappointed with its performance. I gave industry standard numbers to put things in perspective. The standard fan that most people use in their barn a box fan moves over 3,000 CFM of air. Your fan only 1,000 under the best of circumstances. A big difference. You did not say where you are located and what type of weather you are dealing with. In my neck of the woods it can be just hot and muggy at night as it is during the day.

You said “Wish it were a stronger fan”. Which is why I tried to put things in perspective using “numbers” for others to take into consideration.

“It moves at about the speed of a ceiling fan on “high”.” Not trying to be snarky but this is kind of like comparing apples to oranges. Your fan is 18"X18" a small ceiling fan is 48". The blades may “spin” at the same speed but there is a big difference in the size of the blades and how much air they can move. Again, just trying to put things in perspective for others.

I installed 1200 feet of direct bury 12-2 wire for around $600. Being a farm I did not have go to to the expense of using a contractor to trench it. I know where it was going so there no worries about someone accidentally digging it up. It’s my farm and no one is going to be doing any work on it with out me knowing. I rented an inexpensive shallow trencher and it didn’t take very long and left little to no damage to the ground. Wired it to the barn electric panel. Very simple to do. I can power multiple fans 24/7 a light and in the winter run a tank heater.

This may or may not suite the OP. But I don’t post/comment just to address an OP’s question only. I try and present the big picture and or others ways of going about things. For the hundreds of other people who read these threads also.

[wildlifer]

[QUOTE=gumtree;8225479]
And it doesn’t run at night.[/QUOTE]

Not on a panel alone, but there’s been the ability for over 15 years (which I say only because I wired such a system 15 yrs ago, LOL) to deal with “no photons when no sun.” I installed the same type of system to run my electric fencing at the farm. Details here:
Geek version: http://bit.ly/1UVbtgJ
Simpler I’m-a-dork version, LOL: http://bit.ly/1UVbukE

Essentially, the fence charger (or fan) runs off a deep cycle battery, but a 15V solar panel w/ charge controller (great kit, link in post) keep the battery charged. There could be a month-long eclipse & I’d still have power…

You could set up something similar with a good power inverter as well, if you wanted a plug.

Key is making sure you have quality components & you pay attention to the numbers (I was raised by an engineer so I tend to over-engineer the crap out of things) so you have plenty of safety margin. And you monitor & maintain all parts as needed.

Is it a pretty contractor-installed version? No, but it works, it’s designed to withstand rain/wind/hail, it was extremely cost-effective for what I get (the panel is capable of keeping 3 12 V batteries charged if they are not under load – I don’t keep my fence on all the time, my horses respect tape a lot!), & I don’t have to pay for power.

Call it redneckery, I like “creativity,” ha, but there are options.

Fans are next, but for the moment, well, there’s a reason I built the open sided runin on the top of the hill…

[wildlifer]

[QUOTE=gumtree;8225888]
I installed 1200 feet of direct bury 12-2 wire for around $600. [/QUOTE]

Yes, I’m double-posting, but just wanted to be clear that I’m not saying “no” to either option as I’m also eventually doing this to run 110V out to the run-in with direct-bury.

However, due to the way the house is wired, even with awesome neighbour & his free excavator, the PITA factor & steps required are far greater than my current solution (started with deep cycle alone, borrowing a 110-V charger ~every 45 days).

It’s a farm…30-yr plan. I’m on year 2. :lol:

[csaper58]

This looks very promising, and OK for outdoors!

www.sunshineworks.com/solar-fans-vari-cyclone-ceiling-fans.htm

[wildlifer]

^I did look into those…but not for long as they were about $600-800 a piece. :eek: Perhaps if I was using them commercially…or made about 3x my actual salary!

[OTTBs]

I haven’t tried to figure this out yet, but here’s what I’ve thought of doing for some airflow in a run in shed. I have rechargeable tire inflators that have a 12V DC outlet and the DC fans they sell for truckers (about $12 at Wal-Mart.) I’d like to rig a solar panel to charge the inflator/its battery. That’s as far as my plan has gotten. (I originally got the fans to use in my Brenderup trailer for long, hot trips–already had the inflators and they were the power source for trailer use. Also used the setup at a few)

My sheds aren’t too far from the house though, so might try an extension cord and a box fan instead. I’m hoping for cooling as well as fly control.

[MaxBer]

It seems to be a good idea. Did you figure it out and try?

[Equibrit]

These folks have a good solution, but seem to have a problem keeping them in stock.

https://westernharmonics.com/Solar-Fans

[singingamy]

It sounds like you’re in a bit of a pickle, but there’s definitely a solution that won’t break the bank. How about going for a solar-powered fan? You can snag one and attach it to your horse’s shelter without needing to mess with the property. Plus, it’s a win-win because you won’t have to worry about your horse turning into a bucket-bashing boredom pro when he’s outside. Now, the key here could be a portable power station. It’s like your horse’s own little energy hub, keeping that fan running smoothly. That way, your furry friend can chill in the pasture with a cool breeze, all while your pocket stays happy too.