voltage regulators needed for PV powered fan?

 I recently got some fans I want to use to move air thru a solar panel.
the fan is a 120mm, 50cfm pc case fan. listed to pull .28 amps (3.36
watts) at 12volts to run at capacity 2000 rpm.

I am not an expert with electronics..... can I simply hook this fan up
to a 4 or 5 watt PV panel, or do I need some electronics between to
regulate the voltage/current ?

  Hi Botfood;


 > I recently got some fans I want to use to move air
 > through a solar panel. the fan is a 120mm, 50cfm PC
 > case fan. listed to pull .28 amps (3.36 watts) at
 > 12volts to run at capacity 2000 rpm.

 > I am not an expert with electronics..... can I
 > simply hook this fan up to a 4 or 5 watt PV panel,
 > or do I need some electronics between to regulate
 > the voltage/current ?

Fans of this type tolerate a wide range of voltages.
I have tested many fans of this type at voltages up
to 20V or so and rarely have found problems.

The PV panel will probably deliver about 16V to 17V
maximum driving this fan.

Since these fans are so cheap I would just try it.

Yes a regulator could be built but is more complexity
than is needed. Besides, the higher voltage will
deliver more air than at 12V.

Duane

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