BOM For attic fan

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System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Solar Product Reviews & Opinions #1
I would like to build my own attic fans, can anyone suggest a source for the fan and PV.
THX'S
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  • tallgirl
    tallgirl Solar Expert Posts: 413 ✭✭
    #2
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    Re: BOM For attic fan
    jkeysatx wrote: »
    I would like to build my own attic fans, can anyone suggest a source for the fan and PV.
    THX'S

    There are already products on the market that include a small solar panel and fan, integrated into a single unit. What's wrong with them?

    If you insist on DIY, I'd go with 12V nominal panels and a 12V automotive cooling fan from a junkyard. If you get a fan off a small import, the fan should be mountable underneath a reasonable sized vent. If you want smaller, I'd go with Air Hawks or other roof vents. Bring the power from the solar panel through the vent opening, with the wiring securely fastened AWAY from the fan.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: BOM For attic fan

    I use a regular 20" box fan, inside the access hatch, and aim it into the attic. Low or med speed works well. It pulls fresh air into the house, and moves air into and out of the attic all at the same time. I get about 2 years out of it, laying flat, before the bearings give out. $16 - can't beat that.
    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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  • dwh
    dwh Solar Expert Posts: 1,341 ✭✭✭
    #4
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    Re: BOM For attic fan

    These work great and the price is good. I doubt that you'll build anything decent for less.

    http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=solar%2Battic%2Bfan&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
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  • tallgirl
    tallgirl Solar Expert Posts: 413 ✭✭
    #5
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    Re: BOM For attic fan
    dwh wrote: »
    These work great and the price is good. I doubt that you'll build anything decent for less.

    http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=solar%2Battic%2Bfan&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

    Well, that link didn't work so good for me, but this one did --

    http://www.atticbreeze.net/
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #6
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    Re: BOM For attic fan
    dwh wrote: »
    These work great and the price is good. I doubt that you'll build anything decent for less.

    http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=solar%2Battic%2Bfan&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
    thanks, these appear to be all AC powered. I was looking for a ~25watt panel and a 12 or 24 volt DC motor with fan. the housing is not an issue...if you buy one it's $300-400.
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #7
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    Re: BOM For attic fan

    Hi Julie, have you looked at the price of these...there anywhere from $400 to $600 which is way to much. I already have the housing just wanted to add the fan and the panel...the Attic Breeze uses a 25watt pannel - any idea where I can by the pannel? I can't seem to find the square 10 x 10 pannel...Thanks

    BTW - great idea using a automotive fan motor
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
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    Re: BOM For attic fan
    jkeysatx wrote: »

    BTW - great idea using a automotive fan motor

    BAD IDEA, they draw 20amps or so. not efficient at all
    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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  • dwh
    dwh Solar Expert Posts: 1,341 ✭✭✭
    #9
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    Re: BOM For attic fan
    tallgirl wrote: »
    Well, that link didn't work so good for me, but this one did --

    http://www.atticbreeze.net/

    The reason I didn't link to that product (or the similar one made of plastic), is because it's $500 while the Home Depot units (PGSolar) are $200.

    Just goto HomeDepot.com and search for "solar+attic".
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #10
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    Re: BOM For attic fan

    Should I bother to mention that a properly ventilated attic space shouldn't need a fan?

    Probably not. It'll only start an argument.:blush:
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
    #11
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    Re: BOM For attic fan

    Been there, done that discussion... One person here installed a nice set of solar powered fans and was very happy with the results (thread is somewhere around--can't look for it right now)...

    A few years later, realized that the fans had failed but the attic was still cool/ventilated because of the extra holes (inlet and outlet?) that were made to install the solar powered fans in the first place.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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