| Solar Powered Attic Fan: Installing and Wiring the Fan Unit |
From "Solar Solutions"
episode SLR-102 |
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With the solar panel in place, the fan is ready to be installed in the attic. Materials: Pre-assembled solar powered attic fan (from kit)
Tape measure
Pencil
2" x 4" piece of lumber (to create fan brace)
Saw
Wire stripper pliers
Drill
Various hardware (including stainless steel wood screws)
Standard plastic electrical box
Wire connector nuts
- Select and mark location of fan.
- Measure and cut 2" x 4" brace. Use drill and screws to secure the brace within the gable opening (figure A).
- Secure fan to brace using wood screws (figure B), and to surrounding gable area.
- Strip the 14-gauge cable that was fed through the opening and connect to fan wires to test. (Remember to connect the positive wires to the positive wires on the fan and negative to negative wires.) If enough power is being generated, the fan should start turning (figure C). If the wires are connected backwards, air will blow into the attic instead of being removed.
- If adding a thermal switch / temperature controller -- as Rothwell did -- add a standard plastic electrical box to an area near the fan. After securing into place, feed cable into the box (which will house the controller) from the solar panel.
- Connect one wire from the controller to the panel wiring, connect the other wire to the fan wiring. Use wire nut to secure all together (figure D).
- Secure temperature controller within the electrical box and set temperature that will activate the fan.
RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar
Solar Power System Consulting and Installation (Chesapeake Wind & Solar)
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
Solar Thermal Collector Panels (Heliodyne)
Model: Gobi 3366
Heliodyne
Website: www.heliodyne.com
GUESTS :
Jeff Gilbert
Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder
Chesapeake Wind & Solar LLC
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
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