Easy Solar Fan

This is a quick and easy tutorial on how to make a solar powered fan using recycled materials. This fan is perfect for camping and outdoor activities.

For this project I used an outer barrel of a broken airsoft gun, parts from an old solar science kit, twine, tape, a small carabiner, two short wires and a pair of scissors. If you don't have an old science kit you can use any solar panel or pick one up at your local electronics shop. You will also need a motor and a fan. If you don't have a broken airsoft gun, a paper towel roll will work fine.

First attach the carabiner to the end of your tube using twine. If your tube does not have holes already you will need to poke holes across from each other on both ends of the tube. Loop a piece of twine through one end of the tube and then hook the carabiner on to it. Now you can hang your fan from a tent or other structure!

Now you need to attach the motor to the solar panel. The motor in the kit is not very strong so the fan I made does not go very fast. Start by attaching one wire to a terminal on the motor. One reason the motor in the kit is nice is because it has springs on the terminals that make it easy to attach wires. Secure the wires in place with a bit of tape. Once you have the wire attached to the motor also attach it to the correct terminal of the solar panel. Also secure these with tape. Now test the motor by going outside or holding the solar panel up to a bright light bulb.

Now you need to attach the motor to the tube. Thread a piece of twine through the end of the tube opposite of the carabiner. The kit I used had an arm in it that made it easy to attach the motor. If you are using just a motor you should be able to just tape it to your tube. If you are using a kit just tie the arm to the tube or secure it with tape and then attach the motor to the end of the arm. Secure the motor with a little more tape and your good to go!

Congratulations you now have your very own solar fan for camping or whatever else you use it for. Have fun and experiment with different sized panels and fans.