$6 Solar Fan

Step 5 Use It

This fan is very simple to use. Simply lay it in your back window (or any other non-tinted window) so it will charge. Whenever you get out (and plan on leaving it for a little while), roll your window down a bit, set it on top of your window, and roll it back up until it is wedged between the window and the frame. Add weather striping around the outside to keep out bugs and naughty people.

I (unfortunately) shorted mine out when I tried to reconnect the fan, so although I know that the battery will power the fan and blow the air up and out of the ducting, I didn't get the chance to test it in a car. I will soon buy another light to actually test it with, but the commercial I first saw this product on showed that it will keep a car at around 75-80 degrees F, verses the 108 degrees F the control car got to. Of course, it would be just as useful to connect a pair of batteries to any fan, but I wanted to see if I could make a solar powered one for much less than the commercial. I would love to hear about anyone's experience with one of these and any ideas for modifications to the design. Happy hacking.

Comments

[kidcharlemagne]

I'd really like to make a version without the battery, using a solar panel attached to a reflective front window shade. Of course, the fan would only run when it's sunny, but thats the only time I really need the ventilation, (central CA summers see 100+ degrees daily!). Plus, you could leave your car for extended periods, i.e. airport parking lot. I have a harbor frieght solar pannel #44768 puts out 12V DC @ 1.5 Watts. I was originaly thinking computer fan, but don't know if the pannels got enough juice. Any ideas? In my region, I'm afraid I'm gonna need some serious CFM. Is it possible to wire, in series, a bunch of the solar panels (from the solar lights) together to get more power?

[lloydrmc]

Computer fans don't use much power at all. Check into the Silenx 120mm fans. They move something like 68 CFM. There is a Thermaltake 120mm fan that RadioShack sells which moves even more air than that.

[sucoplus]

It would be better if instead of installing this UFO (unknown fan object) we would try to use the fan system that the car already have, and try to attach some circuit and solar power to it.

[i_was_like_you]

The Aptera uses the high end version of this setup. The top of the vehicle has a solar panel which powers a fan which vents the heat out of the back of the vehicle. As far as your device, I've seen the original and this was a good response for saving a few bucks. You've got me thinking of a sleeker, although possibly more expensive, version for my car. As my car has a gigantic windshield, I'm considering mounting solar panel(s) along the upper portion (which even with its slight factory tint shouldn't interfere) of the windshield. I'd run the vent fan out somewhere else, though, like under the hood. With older vehicles, like some trucks and jeeps, they had those manual vents on the sides which would be a perfect place for the fans. With the sheer size of my car, I have considered making the roof into a solar panel to augment a series of batteries for any accessories I might install.

[fox311]

nice fan there

[JustListenToMe]

Are you sure it was 180 degrees? Isnt that a little harmful to your health?

[saites2001]

Oops, changed. I can't believe I didn't notice this comment waaay earlier. Thanks.

[RG_Shrike]

Could you use a pc fan? I'm not sure what the power output of the panel is. I might try it at home this weekend.

[saites2001]

Well, I don't know what most PC fans run at, so I couldn't say for sure. I wouldn't connect the solar panel directly to the fan, though. If you do, you'll only power the fan when light is hitting it, and that power will be related to the amount of light hitting the panel. The method presented above relies on charging a battery via solar power and then running a fan off of that.

[Yerboogieman]

12v DC

[mikel81]

Some can be 5vdc.

[skitzo]

You should use Kydex for your housing on that. you can mold it with heat and then screw in your solar panel into it. Kydex is highly durable and makes the product look decent. the other thing. most of the time you can pick one of these lights for free if you keep any eye out. ;-). Kydex can be used for several diffident applications that you may find on Instructables.

[angle of fire]

i think that you could posibly use a stronger voleg wiyh the light.

[Relativity]

Dude it was like 108 degrees.