Thread: 2017 "Shots From The Hip"

I have a warm air solar panels that I want to mount on the south side of my garage. It has a 8" duct on each end and my plan is to cut two holes through the wall, mount the panel and connect a 8" fan either pushing or pulling the heated air through the panel into the garage. The problem I'm having is that I want to add a controller to turn the fan on/off as the temp in the panel rises/falls. I've tried finding what I want on the internet using various google searches and keep coming up empty. What I want is a sensor to put inside the panel that connects to a controller that connects to the fan. When the temp in the panel hits, say, 85 degrees the fan turns on, when the temp drops to 75 the fan turns off. I will have a switch to turn the fan off during warm weather. Does anyone know where to find what I want?

Grainger? Give them a call or go over to their store in Lansing.

Well, you could utilize a simple thermostat for a furnace?

OR, you could utilize a thermostatically controlled tempurature switch utilized in a radiator fan. Racing applications use them all the time. You may want to look at this as your solar panal is already producing DC current. Instead of using an AC fan that you would have to run through your converter box, you could simply utilize a DC fan utilized in radiator applications and draw the current direct from your solar panel. Or prior to it going through your converter/inverter.

Either way, I would say your serch could/should contain thermostatic control switch or thermostatic fan control switch.

Talk to a heating and cooling place. They might just have exactly what you are looking for (AC or DC)

Rich I think Jerry has solar heating panels like the ones I have on my house. They only produce warm air, no electricity.

I can't tell you what mine use Jerry. It does have a blower inside with a disconnect toggle switch and does turn on and off automatically. Whatever you find will have to have some sort of thermocouple to read the inside temp of the panel and controller, but you already know all that.

I'll see if my HVAC buddies know anything.

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Jerry, I came across this webpage that has some options:

Pumps, Tanks, Heat Exchangers, Controllers for DIY Solar Water and Space Heating System

If you click on the "controllers" there are a couple of "inline" down-and-dirty style that you would need to place inside the panel somehow. I was looking for something similar that had a thermocouple you could run inside the panel and keep the controller outside. I used to wire all kinds of controls at work and know just what you are attempting to do, but the cost of the types of controllers we used might be too much for what you want to accomplish. Hope this helps ya bud!

Thanks Don. I don't know why I was thinking of Solar panels and not heat panels! Two to the chest and one to the head for me on that one!!!

I think I found what I need. I just ordered a snap disc switch that is for an attic fan. Turns on at 85 not sure of the turn off differential. Only 6.95 so if it doesn't work I'm not out much. And Rich, I probably confused you with all my technical jargon. Good thing I didn't throw some whatshumacallits and thingamabobs at you. Give me wood and nails, tile and mortar shingles and siding and I do fine, this electrical stuff confuses me

That should work well too Jerry. Power in to disconnect switch-out to snap switch-out to blower (or receptacle)-neutral to L2 on blower or receptacle and you should be good to go.