Worth adding cooling fan for inverter?

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spurlocktools
spurlocktools Registered Users Posts: 11 ✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I've had a grid tied system for 6 years using two outside mounted SMA inverters. We have hot summers here (Sacramento Valley) and I have the inverters shaded. However it just occurred to me that possibly a small cooling fan might increase inverter lifespan as well as efficiency on really hot days. I can mount the fan to blow across the cooling fins on top of the inverters. Keep in mind that I already have a small 12v computer CPU fan as well as a small 12v PV panel from an automatic gate opener charger. So it's a no cost addition that would make me feel better, but does anyone have any idea if there would be tangible benefits?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Worth adding cooling fan for inverter?

    I had a desk fan on a timer, aimed at my inverter, in the garage, and it took 20F off the operating temps, and boosted efficency a % or 2.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,448 admin
    #3
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    Re: Worth adding cooling fan for inverter?

    The general engineering design rule of thumb is for every 10C (18F) decrease in temperature, there is a 2x increase in life...

    Obviously, solar equipment only spends 5-8 hours a day at elevated temperatures--so the savings are real--but not huge.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • spurlocktools
    spurlocktools Registered Users Posts: 11 ✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Worth adding cooling fan for inverter?

    Great, I'll do it then.

    Thanks for the feedback.
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