Inexpensive Solar Fans??

[Peeper]

p.s. I was at an auction last week but didn't get much because the animals were dead before they could be auctioned.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I don't doubt it! People just don't realize those of us in the south do not just have heat, we have 100% humidity! We have to swim through our air down here! Shade does nothing to help with that kind of smothering effect. And misters just add to the problem.
Fans! Lots of fans!

 

[Intheswamp]

Depending on how for away your coop is, a couple of 100' extension cords, a GFI receptacle, and a cheap chinese box fan from Wallyworld would be a LOT CHEAPER than one of the attic/rv solar fan setups. Even burying some 12-2 wire would still be cheaper and then you could run a light (even a heat-lamp) and even a heater for the waterer. Sure, the amp drop may kill the fan over a period of time but it should work for quiet a while before it does.

Just a thought,
Ed

 

[wombat]

Running electricity to the coop is probably the cheapest solution, unless it is a long run.

If you want to make a project out of it, you can find individual parts on the internet and make your own solution, though. I've looked into this, because my wife wants a "green" solar powered chicken coop.

You'll need one or more solar panels, a charge regulator, and a battery. Golf cart batteries are inexpensive, but a better solution is a sealed 12v marine battery.

You can use some 12v computer fans or 12v marine "engine room" fans to cool a small coop, and can use 12v vehicle or marine lighting.

There are far better instructions out there on the 'net than I could give you here ... but I suspect you'll be out a couple hundred dollars to do this either way ... so maybe that $240 dollar fan is not such a bad deal

So far, I've avoided having to build this rig, since I built the coop in the shade ... the coop's cool, and there's not as much sun for a solar panel.

If you have a breeze where you are, and it isn't too humid, you can get a lot of cooling with evaporation. In NW India, grass mats are hung in windows and doors, and kept wet; evaporative cooling cools the dwelling. Works if you are in a hot, relatively dry area and have water for this. I've tried it with burlap and a cloth wick ... more as a science experiment than anything else, though.

 

[Salt Water Farmer]

Those folks who have suggested running regular AC power to your coop have given you the best information.

The problem with solar 'anything' is the cost of solar panels that are actually capable of producing any truly usable power. Then you need a battery to store it in and as has been pointed out, they aren't cheap either! Sure you can salvage 12VDC 'roto fans' out of computers at the dump for free, but they do draw some current, (far more than the little 'inexpensive' solar panels will produce) and they don't move the amount of air necessary for coops in Southern climes! Make sure your windows open, build a screen door, make a solar 'chimney' all that would help, but you can't beat 120-volts! Like someone said, run some 12/2 UF (underground rated and sunlight resistant) cable and buy a big old window fan and crank it up! Any do it yourself electrical book will help with the connections. Make sure you end up with a GFI protected circuit for safety.

Stay cool!

 

[plv777]

Thanks everyone you all convinced me The electric line is the best way to go. For me anyway

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Good move, plv777, I think you'll be much more satisfied with 120v and you'll also have a source of energy for other things like lights, electric fences, etc.,. Just be sure to put a GFI in the circuit, preferably at the point that you feed from.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Far North Queenslander]

Quote:
Nadine

We have similar problems here in the tropics. Try opening the entire front of your coop from half way up so that it is only mesh. Then make a 6 to 12 inch opening along the entire length of the back wall just under the roof line and screen it with mesh. this can have a hinged lid so that it can be shut in winter. Likewise, shutters can be made for the front.

here is an example:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/195402/small-scale-poultry-housing-layers.pdf

Another option is to create a Coolgardie safe using lengths of hessian cloth. Hang the hessian across the front of the cage with the bottom in water. The hessian soaks up the water and the breeze passing through creates a cool airflow.

Another method of cooling your pens is by using a turbine ventilator. Google "roof Whirlybird" for more info. They start at around US$40.00 and don't require any power source.

 

[Monk]

Far North, thanks for the site! I like the toggle to adjust feeder/waterer hieght, simple and easy. The waterer setup has me thinking of a system for the run. Thanks again.

 

[saracarver3]

I have a coop that has windows on all sides covered in hardware cloth and we made a screen door on the front but it is still incredibly hot in there, especially when the chickens go to bed at night. Shade trees do nothing to keep it cool enough. The heat and humidity are horrible on my chickens.
I use large fans in my brooder room because it can get well over 100 in there but I haven't anything to use on my shed so I, too, am looking into solar fans. And though they are expensive, I have known them to run into the night on what they get from the sun during the day, just like my lights do.
This is the building I am dealing with and this isn't showing all the shade trees around it. It is shaded most all day and this screen door is huge but still the chickens can't hardly stand to go to bed at night or go into lay eggs. The thermometer hasn't gotten over 95 in there but there is absolutely no breeze at night and they are miserable.

Did you ever find one? I need a solar fan with battery back up for my coop here in Florida desperately.