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Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application | 36 comments (36 topical)
Re: Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by ghurd on Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 12:26:31 PM MST

Testing the AC fan really won't tell anything important.

Be better off...

Getting a few 12V fans similar to the size it came with.  I expect it came with a muffin fan, so 12V should be cheap and easy to get.
I would try at least a couple with "lots" of blades, and different amp ratings.  I figure the "lots" of blades type tend to make more pressure than flow.

Connect it to the mattress' fan port, with a car battery, and measure the 12V amps.

Try a few different fans.  Might find a 0.120A fan that is plenty.

Sure would cut down on the cost of everything!

Do you have the air mattress stuff already?
It may help to tell the exact size and shape, number of blades, and a couple pics of the fan.  A pick showing the end of the fan blades may help a little too.
I may shoot you an email after I see the fan info.
G-

[ Parent ]



Re: Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by mooselick7 on Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 01:40:26 PM MST

I will take a couple of pics of the fan tonight and send.  It is a small squirrel cage fan.  Besides a shutter mechanism, it looks like an automobile heater fan.  

I was going to test it first because of the above unknowns and other unknowns such as changes in heat/cold which I believe will draw power differently.  The AC fan is already bought so Im not out anything.  

Thanks, again.

[ Parent ]



Re: Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application (3.00 / 0) (#20)
by mooselick7 on Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 02:35:25 PM MST

Ghurd:

Attached are pics of the fan in question.  If you know of a DC alternative, that would be great.

From another source, I am told there is a one way air valve that can be installed with a switch so that the silly thing isnt running all the time.  I need to dredge that up out of the net.  

Thanks for your help.  

http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/13166/P6110001.JPG
http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/13166/P6110002.JPG
http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/13166/P6110003.JPG

[ Parent ]



Re: Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application (3.00 / 0) (#22)
by ghurd on Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 03:12:05 PM MST

It looks like high volume and low pressure to me.

The one way air valve means it does not need volume, just some pressure.
If the plastic mattress-thing is anything like I picture it in my mind, it does not need much pressure at all.

Leading me to believe a DC muffin fan would work just fine.

And I believe this is a case where solar would be worth the initial cost.
Mental math this morning (pre-coffee) looked like about $70 / year for the grid fan.
Solar with junk ("boat batteries") payback was about 8 years and soon to need the 3rd set of batteries.
With a pair of Sam's Club golf cart batteries was 9 years But that had new batteries figured before then that would last a lot longer than the 9 year mark, meaning golf cart batteries worked out to cheaper.

That sounds BAD?
It only included the cost of RE related items.
It did not include the cost of running the grid to the green house.

If the cost of running the grid to the green house (I used $200 total cost) is deducted from the RE related costs, then even was at 4 years 9 months.  
After than time you are coming out ahead.

If you have to pay someone to do the AC grid wiring, or the run is long, or it requires an excavator or renting a ditch-witch, then solar may work out cheaper the first time the fan is turned on.

The one way air valve has me wondering if the initial cost could be reduced even more.

To know what is what, need to try several DC muffin fans and be sure they are up to the task.
Before spending money.
G-


[ Parent ]



Re: Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application (3.00 / 0) (#25)
by mooselick7 on Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 03:41:26 PM MST

Sounds plumb reasonable - I will investigate this as well.  

[ Parent ]


Re: Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application (3.00 / 0) (#26)
by BigBreaker on Fri Jun 12, 2009 at 06:45:48 AM MST

Why not just support the greenhouse film with static supports rather than the inflation scheme?  Seems like hoops or tensioned wires would make more sense and would cost less than the RE powered fan set up.

[ Parent ]


Off grid Greenhouse Inflation Fan Application | 36 comments (36 topical)

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