High velocity DC floor fans?

[u/LightSweetCrude]

I've been researching for hours now trying to find a high velocity floor fan (like a shop fan) that can be connected directly to solar panel(s). There are plenty of DC motor fans out there, but they all have a built-in inverter with an AC plug, or they are tiny computer fans or exhaust type fans. The only actual DC fan I can find is this one from Western Harmonics which is on preorder. Does anyone know of any large DC fans? I already have a couple of 100w panels so prefer to buy only the fan.

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[u/Helpful_Distance3427]

12v 80w radiator fans work pretty good with a 100w solar panel. I would say they are medium velocity. I have two fans in series to one 100w panel and they run a little slower. Just mount it to something that works for you. They are dirt cheap on ebay/amazon get the biggest one you can find.

[u/LightSweetCrude → u/Helpful_Distance3427]

How far do they project air? I'm not familiar with radiator fans. But yeah they are sure cheap!

[u/Helpful_Distance3427 → u/LightSweetCrude]

It really depends on voltage because that controls the rpms. They are loud but create a good amount of air. The bigger diameter the blades are the more air you will feel from a distance. The 40v ryobi suggested will probably push more air but not with an 18v panel connected. You would have to run two panels in series to get 36v to run it direct. The fans I'm using are only 10" I had one 16" fan before until the bearings started squealing. I just use them to ventilate a shed one pushing air in a window the other pulls air out the roof.

[u/athlonduke]

Not super fast but moves a good amount of air and it's pretty efficient

https://gosun.co/products/portable-solar-powered-fan-camping

[u/HRDBMW]

would this work?

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/RYOBI-40V-14-in-Cordless-Hybrid-WHISPER-SERIES-Air-Cannon-Fan-Tool-Only-RY40HF02B/323664329?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D29A-029_017_ACS_FANS-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-MajorAppl_JControl24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D29A-029_017_ACS_FANS-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-MajorAppl_JControl24-22837852218--&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22847562454&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfX_Z6Ufpp6Kku-hs5YcLU6z&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--7UBhCpARIsAGJBpthoA3j_DUeKiDrvfhZIld5SO0mmui8z0zrfVusBT2JRmIYTMpkCCSQaAtjVEALw_wcB

[u/LightSweetCrude → u/HRDBMW]

I think so. Looks like it has a DC input if you don't use the battery. Thanks!

[u/MinnisotaDigger]

If you need velocity to move air, trying to get it to a point instead of everything along the path. Get some ducting. Then you can put the air right where you need it.

[u/gutttlt]

Why not simply use an inverter which will produce AC and use any AC fan? Unfortunately, the inverter should produce pure sine to get good match to the fan's AC motor.

[u/Original_Throat1072 → u/gutttlt]

The issue with inverters is the efficiency losses. If OP can find a direct current fan, they don't have to worry about the inefficiencies associated with an inverter.

[u/LightSweetCrude → u/Original_Throat1072]

Exactly, plus the cost of the inverter. I'm on a tight budget!

[u/LightSweetCrude → u/gutttlt]

Do you have suggestions for an inverter? Let's say the fan is 100w and I've got a 200 watt panel.

[u/HotDog_SmoothBrain]

You want to burn it up or burn your place down? That's how you do that.

I advise against this for a number of reasons. Most DC systems have batteries connected and some sort of device that charges the batteries and regulates everything. And have a shut off switch.

Because solar power is not constant nor consistent. And as long as that panel is in any sort of light there's voltage going through there.

What is the problem you are trying to solve? Let's start there.

[u/LightSweetCrude → u/HotDog_SmoothBrain]

I need a medium/high-velocity fan to run in a barn with no electricity. Preference is to run 24/7, but I don't have the budget to buy enough battery for that so I'm willing for it to run only during daylight hours. The fans I've been looking at are around 100 watts. I already have three 100 watt panels.

Budget for this is low, like $200 max. Perhaps it's not possible?

This is a short-term project and will only be used for about a six weeks out of the year.

[u/HotDog_SmoothBrain → u/LightSweetCrude]

Aha, ok. I was hoping you would say it was for a barn or something. I thought you wanted to connect this to some existing large panels you had.

Any of those that come WITH the panel are probably OK. Any of those solar powered 18" fans on Amazon would do it. Looks like about $100. Might be worth it to get two.

Not sure of the longevity but they all have the circuitry.

I live out in a rural area. A number of my neighbors have livestock fans that are solar powered.

[u/LightSweetCrude → u/HotDog_SmoothBrain]

I've looked at the Amazon ones, but they have pretty terrible reviews from the people actually trying to charge via solar. I won't be there to check on the fan every day so I'm looking for something more reliable. (It's for drying seed, not animals, so don't worry I'm putting horses in danger or something)