6v to 3v...

G

Gary DeWaay

Guest
I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.


--
- Gary
 
Gary DeWaay wrote:

I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.


I doubt if that 6 volt solar cell would have enough current to even
Click to expand...
cause an issue with that fan..
You most likely will be able to directly connect it...

--
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5
 
Jamie's at jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa_@charter.net wisdom:


I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.


I doubt if that 6 volt solar cell would have enough current to even
cause an issue with that fan..
You most likely will be able to directly connect it...
Click to expand...

Awesome... thats even easier yet! Thanx!




--
- Gary
 
On Nov 27, 7:31 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.

--
- Gary
Click to expand...
Hi, Gary. A resistor is kind of chancy, because the fan requires
higher current when it's starting. With higher current, the resistor
will drop more voltage, and the fan may not have enough torque or
voltage to start.

Since you're at Radio Shack, find out if your fan requires more or
less than half an amp. If less, get the 276-1653 25-pack of rectifier
diodes, and place four diodes in series with your fan. Together,
they'll drop about 3V, which will leave a good 3V for your fan.

If it requires more than half an amp, try their 4-pack of larger
rectifier diodes (276-1661).

Your finished circuit should look like this (view in fixed font or M$
Notepad):

|
| .---->|-->|-->|-->|----.
| | D D D D |
| | | +
| +|6V / \
| --- ( M ) 3V
| - \_/ -
| | |
| | |
| '----------------------'
(created by AACircuit v1.28.6 beta 04/19/05 www.tech-chat.de)

Make sure the stripes on the four diodes all face the same way.;-)

Good luck
Chris
 
Gary DeWaay wrote:
I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.
Click to expand...
Use two fans in series?
 
Chris's at cfoley1064@yahoo.com wisdom:


On Nov 27, 7:31 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.

--
- Gary

Hi, Gary. A resistor is kind of chancy, because the fan requires
higher current when it's starting. With higher current, the resistor
will drop more voltage, and the fan may not have enough torque or
voltage to start.

Since you're at Radio Shack, find out if your fan requires more or
less than half an amp. If less, get the 276-1653 25-pack of rectifier
diodes, and place four diodes in series with your fan. Together,
they'll drop about 3V, which will leave a good 3V for your fan.

If it requires more than half an amp, try their 4-pack of larger
rectifier diodes (276-1661).

Your finished circuit should look like this (view in fixed font or M$
Notepad):

|
| .---->|-->|-->|-->|----.
| | D D D D |
| | | +
| +|6V / \
| --- ( M ) 3V
| - \_/ -
| | |
| | |
| '----------------------'
(created by AACircuit v1.28.6 beta 04/19/05 www.tech-chat.de)

Make sure the stripes on the four diodes all face the same way.;-)

Good luck
Click to expand...

Perfect! Thanx bro!

--
- Gary
 
use two 3volt fans in series


"Gary DeWaay" <dewaay2spikeNOT@sio.midco.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.21b680dac66bbd3b98b047@news.midco.net...
I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.


--
- Gary
Click to expand...
 
my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull


"Randy Day" <randy.day@shaw.cax> wrote in message
news:474CE973.C669EC29@shaw.cax...
Gary DeWaay wrote:

I am building a solar panel on the cheap and ordered a 6v solar cell
from
Radio Shack, but the fan I want to use is 3v DC.

Can I just solder a resistor between them, and if so, what size?

Or any other easy fixes would be mucho appreciated.

Use two fans in series?
Click to expand...
 
HapticZ wrote:
my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull
Click to expand...
Perhaps not, but finding out is half the fun...
 
HapticZ's at hapticz@sbcglobal.net wisdom:


my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull
Click to expand...

I'll let you know on Monday... I had to order it.

--
- Gary
 
On Nov 29, 9:14 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
HapticZ's at hapt...@sbcglobal.net wisdom:



my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull

I'll let you know on Monday... I had to order it.

--
- Gary
Click to expand...
Gary; let us know what happens and include the size and rating of the
solar panel/cell. That way we will all learn something. Thanks.
 
terryS's at tsanford@nf.sympatico.ca wisdom:


On Nov 29, 9:14 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
HapticZ's at hapt...@sbcglobal.net wisdom:



my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull

I'll let you know on Monday... I had to order it.

--
- Gary

Gary; let us know what happens and include the size and rating of the
solar panel/cell. That way we will all learn something. Thanks.
Click to expand...

He was right, it didn't have enough power :(

I found another solar cell that has 1.8 watts of power at 12v... it's used
to trickle charge a car battery.

Anyone have any guesses if it will work better?


--
- Gary
 
Gary DeWaay wrote:
terryS's at tsanford@nf.sympatico.ca wisdom:


On Nov 29, 9:14 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
HapticZ's at hapt...@sbcglobal.net wisdom:



my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull

I'll let you know on Monday... I had to order it.

--
- Gary

Gary; let us know what happens and include the size and rating of the
solar panel/cell. That way we will all learn something. Thanks.


He was right, it didn't have enough power :(

I found another solar cell that has 1.8 watts of power at 12v... it's used
to trickle charge a car battery.

Anyone have any guesses if it will work better?

--
- Gary
Click to expand...
P=EI -> P/E=I

1.8/12 = .15A

If your fan runs on 150 milliamps or
less it should. Just remember the max.
voltage your fan can run at!
 
Randy Day's at randy.day@shaw.cax wisdom:


P=EI -> P/E=I

1.8/12 = .15A

If your fan runs on 150 milliamps or
less it should.
Click to expand...

How do I find this out? Its not listed on the packaging.

I do have a multi-tester.

--
- Gary
 
Gary DeWaay wrote:
Randy Day's at randy.day@shaw.cax wisdom:



P=EI -> P/E=I

1.8/12 = .15A

If your fan runs on 150 milliamps or
less it should.

How do I find this out? Its not listed on the packaging.
Click to expand...
And there's nothing written on the fan itself? Odd.
Maybe the Mfr's website?

I do have a multi-tester.
Click to expand...
Stick a couple C, D or AA cells together, and make
sure they can run your fan properly. Then use the
current setting on your multi-tester to determine
how much current is flowing. Start at the *highest*
current setting and switch down until you get a
reading.

_________
| |
-_- |
| 3v Fan
-_- |
|_ _|
^ ^
| |
- |current| +
meter
 
On Dec 3, 12:27 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
terryS's at tsanf...@nf.sympatico.ca wisdom:



On Nov 29, 9:14 pm, Gary DeWaay <dewaay2spike...@sio.midco.net> wrote:
HapticZ's at hapt...@sbcglobal.net wisdom:

my same thought, but as i think, a solar cell may not have enough of a power
puff to make even a fan usefull

I'll let you know on Monday... I had to order it.

--
- Gary

Gary; let us know what happens and include the size and rating of the
solar panel/cell. That way we will all learn something. Thanks.

He was right, it didn't have enough power :(

I found another solar cell that has 1.8 watts of power at 12v... it's used
to trickle charge a car battery.

Anyone have any guesses if it will work better?

--
- Gary
Click to expand...
How about getting a 12V fan?

Mark
 
Randy Day's at randy.day@shaw.cax wisdom:


Gary DeWaay wrote:

Randy Day's at randy.day@shaw.cax wisdom:



P=EI -> P/E=I

1.8/12 = .15A

If your fan runs on 150 milliamps or
less it should.

How do I find this out? Its not listed on the packaging.

And there's nothing written on the fan itself? Odd.
Maybe the Mfr's website?


I do have a multi-tester.

Stick a couple C, D or AA cells together, and make
sure they can run your fan properly. Then use the
current setting on your multi-tester to determine
how much current is flowing. Start at the *highest*
current setting and switch down until you get a
reading.

_________
| |
-_- |
| 3v Fan
-_- |
|_ _|
^ ^
| |
- |current| +
meter
Click to expand...


Interesting.. thanx! I learn something every day.

Here's what happened... I ended up buying a five watt solar cell made for
a car battery charger thingie to power a 12 volt fan I cobbed from a puter
power supply to run one of my solar panels.. it works great!

The other panel's 3v fan (which I was trying to get going with the solar
cell to no avail) is now powered by a variable battery charger hooked up
to a thermostat that switches on at 60 degrees.

Problem solved.. I have free solar heat from one panel, and pretty damn
cheap from the other... thanx for everyones input!
 
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