Can I connect the output from three [solar] panels..
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Can I connect the output from three [solar] panels..
..to get more amperage? I have a shipping container far from 120v that sweats badly inside and bought a 12v fan that you place in from of your car radiator for extra cooling.. it's 12v x 80w.
I have three small panels of unknown power.. one gets the blades moving at about 10rpm (other two Nada - but will light a test lamp) ..could I simply pigtail all three and connect it directly to the fan? ..and/or - would a single 100w overspeed the motor? Thanks.
Jim
I have three small panels of unknown power.. one gets the blades moving at about 10rpm (other two Nada - but will light a test lamp) ..could I simply pigtail all three and connect it directly to the fan? ..and/or - would a single 100w overspeed the motor? Thanks.
Jim
#2
would a single 100w overspeed the motor?
#3
Group Moderator
Are all three your solar panels the same size?
If one panel spins your fan but the other two do not maybe those two panels are bad.
Since you said "small" panels I'll just guess that they are way too small to power your 80w motor. I have a solar powered boat that has a 5 watt panel that keeps the battery charged and that panel is about a foot square. Unless you've got about 8 square feet of panel area I'd guess you don't have enough to fully power your fan. Also keep in mind that the rating of a solar panel is under optimal conditions when the sun is directly overhead, something that never happens in the mainland US, so your output will always be less.
I would install passive, non powered vents. They have no moving parts and can work 24/7. A solar powered fan will only run when the sun is out which is generally the time you don't need a fan to prevent sweating. It's when the sun goes down and things cool that condensation forms.
If one panel spins your fan but the other two do not maybe those two panels are bad.
Since you said "small" panels I'll just guess that they are way too small to power your 80w motor. I have a solar powered boat that has a 5 watt panel that keeps the battery charged and that panel is about a foot square. Unless you've got about 8 square feet of panel area I'd guess you don't have enough to fully power your fan. Also keep in mind that the rating of a solar panel is under optimal conditions when the sun is directly overhead, something that never happens in the mainland US, so your output will always be less.
I would install passive, non powered vents. They have no moving parts and can work 24/7. A solar powered fan will only run when the sun is out which is generally the time you don't need a fan to prevent sweating. It's when the sun goes down and things cool that condensation forms.
#4
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Thread Starter
Thanks guys...
Ray - That's a good solution but I didn't need a timer; I figured the Sun would be the timer.... Good to know about RPM.
P-D - No three sizes.. mostly unidentified. I'll simply wire them together, then to the motor and report back. Pictures included...
Jim
Ray - That's a good solution but I didn't need a timer; I figured the Sun would be the timer.... Good to know about RPM.
P-D - No three sizes.. mostly unidentified. I'll simply wire them together, then to the motor and report back. Pictures included...
Jim
#5
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Location: Wet side of Washington state.
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Solar panels have varying output, both voltage and amperage, depending on how much sun is striking the panel. To increase the voltage you need to wire the panels in series and to increase the amperage you need to wire the panels in parallel. Even then the voltage and amperage will vary so it is best to have both a load controller and a battery (load) connected to give a constant voltage to the item being powered.
This way the battery supplies the load a fairly constant voltage, the load takes the amperage it requires and the load controller charges the battery with the output from the solar panels.
This way the battery supplies the load a fairly constant voltage, the load takes the amperage it requires and the load controller charges the battery with the output from the solar panels.
#6
Group Moderator
One danger with using a battery though is over discharging the battery. Most batteries are damaged by being drained too low so some type of low voltage cutoff would be a good idea.
#7
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Thread Starter
Guys... It didn't work. I hooked them in series and did not get enough 'poop' to move the blades. (I did get the 12v test lamp to light)
A 120v to 9v DC - 700mA, computer accessory power source drives it just fine. I have to run about a 50' line to add 120v near the container. Then I'll just let it run.... Cheers.
Jim
A 120v to 9v DC - 700mA, computer accessory power source drives it just fine. I have to run about a 50' line to add 120v near the container. Then I'll just let it run.... Cheers.
Jim
#8
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It is possible that the two panels that won't even cause your test light to glow are simply not working. It is also possible that the amperage of the three panels in series is too low to run the fan.
Have you tested for voltage output of each panel with a meter?
Have you tested for voltage output of each panel with a meter?