Need some electrical edjumakashun...
I'm trying to cobble together a small exhaust fan, solar powered. I have a bunch of old computer fans, both 5v and 12v, and am having trouble figuring out what I can run and how much panel I need. M...
Forum Discussion
1. With 12v fans, how far down in voltage can I run them before I start damaging the motor? (Assume the usual cheap computer case fans you're likely to get in a desktop.)
Quiet a ways. the Brushless DC fans used in computers will stall if you go too low.
2. When voltage goes down, amperage goes down; will low amperage damage the fan?
Wong, as voltage goes down, speed goes down, current increases believe it or not.
3. If I use a "quick and dirty" 12v to 5v USB car charger to run a 5v fan, will the loss of voltage (and amperage) between 12 and 5 as the panel becomes less effective cause any issues?
Well any time you use any device to change voltage there is a loss of effiency.. However you coudl loose half the panel output voltage and it might still work.. Depending on the USB thingy.
4. What's more important to fan speed; volts or amps?
Both... But they both become voltage.. IF the power source can not provide the amps.. the result will show as low voltage.
Quiet a ways. the Brushless DC fans used in computers will stall if you go too low.
2. When voltage goes down, amperage goes down; will low amperage damage the fan?
Wong, as voltage goes down, speed goes down, current increases believe it or not.
3. If I use a "quick and dirty" 12v to 5v USB car charger to run a 5v fan, will the loss of voltage (and amperage) between 12 and 5 as the panel becomes less effective cause any issues?
Well any time you use any device to change voltage there is a loss of effiency.. However you coudl loose half the panel output voltage and it might still work.. Depending on the USB thingy.
4. What's more important to fan speed; volts or amps?
Both... But they both become voltage.. IF the power source can not provide the amps.. the result will show as low voltage.
