Help with Prototype: Find Cooling Fans for Solar-Powered Box

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around creating a solar-powered cooling box with a battery backup, requiring small, low-power cooling fans similar to those used in 12V coolers for cars and RVs. The prototype's design is constrained by limited solar panel surface area, necessitating efficient cooling solutions. Participants suggest searching for 12V fans and exploring peltier thermoelectric coolers with heat sinks. Recommendations include sourcing components from Amazon or computer stores, and considering the use of compact computer heat sink and fan combinations. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective cooling without compromising the prototype's size and power consumption.
dkMountainGoat
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I am currently working on a prototype for a new product.

Whithout exposing the product to much it is simply put a cooling box run by solar panels with a battery backup.

Due to the fact that the surface area available for solar panels is limited the cooling module needs to be quite small and not comsume to much power.

Does anyone know where I would be able to find cooling fans like the kind used in 12V coolers for cars and RV's? 24V would also work.

Any help is received with much appreciation!

Regards,

dkMountainGoat
 
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dkMountainGoat said:
I am currently working on a prototype for a new product.

Whithout exposing the product to much it is simply put a cooling box run by solar panels with a battery backup.

Due to the fact that the surface area available for solar panels is limited the cooling module needs to be quite small and not comsume to much power.

Does anyone know where I would be able to find cooling fans like the kind used in 12V coolers for cars and RV's? 24V would also work.

Any help is received with much appreciation!

Regards,

dkMountainGoat

Welcome to the PF.

I did a Google Images search on 12V Fan, and got lots of good hits. Maybe try that to look for the style of fan you have in mind... :-)
 
First design the air flow path to operate as a convective thermal siphon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermosiphon
If it needs more flow then use a small fan.
 
I did a Google Images search on 12V Fan, and got lots of good hits. Maybe try that to look for the style of fan you have in mind... :-)

Thanks a bunch, I have tried this approach but seem to just find air flow fans. What I am searching is a fan with a cooling aggregate :)
 
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what is a "cooling aggregate"? Do you mean a heat sink?
 
russ_watters said:
what is a "cooling aggregate"? Do you mean a heat sink?

Yes I mean a heat sink. Sorry for the bad translation ;). I have been looking into peltier thermo electric coolers with a heatsink and a fan on each side. I then came to think of the small 12V coolers for cars and these use the same. I am just having a hard time locating these without having to buy a cooler and destroy just to get the cooling module.

I hope this clarifies what I am searching.

Regards.
 
You can buy both heat sinks and peltier devices on amazon or at pretty much any computer store.

Incidentally, I actually have a 12V peltier car/camp cooler disassembled on my kitchen table right now.
 
Would a computer/laptop heat sink and fan combo work? they can be pretty small...not sure since you do not wish to provide dimensions for obvious reasons.
 
Yes, they can be pretty small or they can be up to 120x120mm, and support a peltier up to 150W or so.
 
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