Hi everyone,
Here is my attempt at providing air circulation and stopping the plants from getting cooked in closed spaces. I have roughly a 2 metre long x 1 metre long x 2 metre high greenhouse. I don't like running power outside so I got all the parts and built this solar powered fan. This unit cost me $175.00 AU and can be modified to suit your needs as well as customized. Normally the unit would have cost $300.00 but my parents can get me the parts. I am currently using it in my highland greenhouse.
Here is a simple diagram as I have yet to take photos:
BATTERY
I I
I I
REGULATOR
I I I I
I I I I
THERMOSTAT I I
I I I I
I I SOLAR PANEL
FAN
It does wonders as spring sets in and summer approaches.
Because the green house has no openings for ventilation and is always closed, the thermostat regulates the temperature inside and never exceeds 30 degrees celcius and will turn the fan on when it reaches this temperature (adjust at will) and will constanly expel hot air from inside the greenhouse...outside until the temperature goes below this value and the equilibrium is maintained. It will continue to do this.
The regulator on the other hand regulates the solar panel and the battery so the battery will never overcharge. I am using a 12v solar charge panel that recharges a 12v battery. This is quite a small compact unit and very effective. It does not consume alot of power.
A number of fans can be added for a larger sized greenhouse providing you increase the number of solar panels and batteries so that it does not die on you. It will not stop working but the the ability of the fan may be hindered if you do not provide the appropriate power requirements for the solar panel and batteries. In this case, bigger is better.
The fan and thermostat are positioned at the top where heat is most likely to build up. The thermostat is placed in a position out of direct sunlight but where it can turn on when it reaches 30 degrees celcius. The fan is attached to a tube (ie vacuum tube or ducted heating tubes) and the other end is positioned at the bottom and outside. This is where the heat is expelled.
At the very bottom of the greenhouse I have a resevoir of water that provides the humidity that is lost when the fan expels the hot air. Simple but effective way because the way I see it, if it's warm or hot there is always evaporation as long as there is water to evaporate.
Specifics:
1)The regulator is a Solar Charge controller that has inbuilt discharging and overcharging protection thus protecting the battery and giving it better performance and a very long life. It has inbuilt gasing regulation and this also prevents acid build up layering and in co with a temperature dependant function, the battery capacity is better used, especially when the battery is not operating the fan for long periods.
The gasing regulation switches off the overcharge protection until the so-called final gasing voltage is reached. Also the gasing regulation increases the final charge voltage during high cyclisation.
I use a solar charge controller 5.0 i think. I will have to look at it as there are a few models.
2) The solar panel size I use is 30cm wide by 80cm long. It is small but can generate enough electricity to charge the battery to full before the end of each day with no decrease in charge.
If anyone has questions about specifics please pm me or maybe ideas on expanding on this technology.
Two new projects I am currently working on are:
1) a solar-powered air-coonditioner or swamp cooler, but I'm still debating on which one is more productive.
2) a solar - powered space heater.
Thanks,
Christian
Here is my attempt at providing air circulation and stopping the plants from getting cooked in closed spaces. I have roughly a 2 metre long x 1 metre long x 2 metre high greenhouse. I don't like running power outside so I got all the parts and built this solar powered fan. This unit cost me $175.00 AU and can be modified to suit your needs as well as customized. Normally the unit would have cost $300.00 but my parents can get me the parts. I am currently using it in my highland greenhouse.
Here is a simple diagram as I have yet to take photos:
BATTERY
I I
I I
REGULATOR
I I I I
I I I I
THERMOSTAT I I
I I I I
I I SOLAR PANEL
FAN
It does wonders as spring sets in and summer approaches.
Because the green house has no openings for ventilation and is always closed, the thermostat regulates the temperature inside and never exceeds 30 degrees celcius and will turn the fan on when it reaches this temperature (adjust at will) and will constanly expel hot air from inside the greenhouse...outside until the temperature goes below this value and the equilibrium is maintained. It will continue to do this.
The regulator on the other hand regulates the solar panel and the battery so the battery will never overcharge. I am using a 12v solar charge panel that recharges a 12v battery. This is quite a small compact unit and very effective. It does not consume alot of power.
A number of fans can be added for a larger sized greenhouse providing you increase the number of solar panels and batteries so that it does not die on you. It will not stop working but the the ability of the fan may be hindered if you do not provide the appropriate power requirements for the solar panel and batteries. In this case, bigger is better.
The fan and thermostat are positioned at the top where heat is most likely to build up. The thermostat is placed in a position out of direct sunlight but where it can turn on when it reaches 30 degrees celcius. The fan is attached to a tube (ie vacuum tube or ducted heating tubes) and the other end is positioned at the bottom and outside. This is where the heat is expelled.
At the very bottom of the greenhouse I have a resevoir of water that provides the humidity that is lost when the fan expels the hot air. Simple but effective way because the way I see it, if it's warm or hot there is always evaporation as long as there is water to evaporate.
Specifics:
1)The regulator is a Solar Charge controller that has inbuilt discharging and overcharging protection thus protecting the battery and giving it better performance and a very long life. It has inbuilt gasing regulation and this also prevents acid build up layering and in co with a temperature dependant function, the battery capacity is better used, especially when the battery is not operating the fan for long periods.
The gasing regulation switches off the overcharge protection until the so-called final gasing voltage is reached. Also the gasing regulation increases the final charge voltage during high cyclisation.
I use a solar charge controller 5.0 i think. I will have to look at it as there are a few models.
2) The solar panel size I use is 30cm wide by 80cm long. It is small but can generate enough electricity to charge the battery to full before the end of each day with no decrease in charge.
If anyone has questions about specifics please pm me or maybe ideas on expanding on this technology.
Two new projects I am currently working on are:
1) a solar-powered air-coonditioner or swamp cooler, but I'm still debating on which one is more productive.
2) a solar - powered space heater.
Thanks,
Christian