PC Fans with 12v Solar Panel

chrishan0111

I am trying to run 3 x 12v DC PC fans with a 12v 20w panel.

The fan specs are;

Operating voltage: 12v

Max input power: 3.6W

Max input current: 0.3A

and the solar specs are;

DC Voltage: 12V

Open circuit voltage: 22V

Short circuit current: 1.21A

Voltage at power max: 17.4V

Current at power max: 1.16A

First of all, would the 12v 20w panel be enough to run 3 of the fans?

Also, I am just worried the high open circuit voltage & voltage at power max would damage the fan.

Do I need to add something else (like solar controller) in between to prevent damaging the fans?

Thank you for your help in advance!

Chris.

wellbuilt

I used a flex panel on my sail boat to vent it 12 month of the year . 

I thin the panel was 35watts it would even run with the tarp covered in snow.
 My worked for ever 

mike95490

Some brushless DC fans will not start with a slowly ramping voltage, some have automatic restart circuit.  You will just have to test it and see.    If they were my fans, I'd get a 14V 50W zener diode & heat sink and wire it in, to clip the panel voltage on the sunniest days