Solar Panel to power axial fan

[yardener]

What do I need to power a 12V, 3.5W axial fan. I don't need it to run at capacity, only to move air through a solar collector.
I was wondering if a direct hook up to a 12V, 5W panel would work or do I need something to regulate.

[roscho04]

sounds like something i was just talking about, i will be watching this.

[Mike90250]

using a DC brusless fan, you should be ok with a direct panel connection. use a 10W panel for a 5 w fan, and put a 25V 200uF cap & 13V 10w zener diode on it, to protect the fan. The fan will not always start reliably in low light, but most brushless fans have restart ckts in them and they will eventually start up

[yardener]

using a DC brusless fan, you should be ok with a direct panel connection. use a 10W panel for a 5 w fan, and put a 25V 200uF cap & 13V 10w zener diode on it, to protect the fan. The fan will not always start reliably in low light, but most brushless fans have restart ckts in them and they will eventually start up

Is there a diagram to help me wire this? Where would I get the diode and cap?

[Mike90250]

I did not draw a schematic, and parts should be at any good electronics store. I'll see if I can sketch up something later today and post it.

[Yisrael48]

Fan

Well myself i just hooked a computer fan at 6v at 3 amps and it worked at 12v it spins faster. My test panel was a 15*3x6 1.8 watt cells.

[yardener]

Well myself i just hooked a computer fan at 6v at 3 amps and it worked at 12v it spins faster. My test panel was a 15*3x6 1.8 watt cells.

I never thought of that. I have several computers at work that no longer work, I may rob the fans out of them.
So, you just hooked up the solar panel leads drirectly to the fan?