Shipping Container Ventilation and Cooling Fans
A steel container heats up fast in the sun and sweats on the inside when temperatures drop at night. Condensation (“container rain”) damages stored goods, tools and electronics, and equipment containers can overheat. Ventilation removes heat and moisture by exchanging the air inside with outside air. Containers that house equipment also need cooling airflow sized to the heat it produces.
LONGWELL supplies wall exhaust fans, solar-powered roof fans and axial cooling fans for containers used as storage units, site offices, workshops and equipment shelters.
Passive vents or powered fans?
| Container use | Typical solution |
|---|---|
| Dry storage, few people | Passive vents, plus a solar roof fan if heat or condensation is a problem |
| Site office, workshop, tool store | Wall exhaust fan with a low inlet vent on the opposite side |
| Off-grid storage or farm container | Solar-powered roof or wall fan |
| Generator, compressor, pump or electrical equipment | Axial exhaust/supply fans sized to the equipment heat load |
| Battery storage, inverters, power electronics | Engineered cooling airflow (see also control cabinet cooling); see battery energy storage |
How to ventilate a container
1. Create a cross-flow
Fit the exhaust fan high on one end or side and an inlet vent low on the opposite side, so air sweeps through the whole container.
2. Size the fan
For storage and offices, size by container volume and the air changes you want; a 20 ft container has about 33 m³ inside and a 40 ft container about 67 m³. For equipment, size by heat load: the airflow must remove the heat with an acceptable temperature rise inside.
3. Keep weather and insects out
Use fans with rain deflectors or weather hoods and insect screens, and seal the cut-out properly.
4. Match the power supply
State the voltage and frequency on site (for example 220 V 60 Hz or 380 V 50 Hz), or choose a solar fan where there is no power. If you are replacing an existing fan, measure hole centres, cut-out size and available depth, and check the airflow direction.
LONGWELL fans for containers
- Sidewall exhaust fans (LWWEXD series): square wall fans from 400 mm to 900 mm with rain deflector and insect screen. Example: LWWEXD-500D4-01, 380 V 50 Hz, 370 W, 7,800 m³/h.
- Solar roof fans (LW-SPF-320): 320 mm, 1,500–2,500 m³/h, built-in 15 V DC solar panel; no wiring.
- AC and EC axial fans: square-frame and ring-mounted axial fans from compact sizes up to 400 mm and larger, in 115 V, 220–240 V and 380 V versions, for wall mounting or equipment cooling.
- DC and EC axial fans for electronics, battery and inverter enclosures with speed control.
Browse: wall exhaust fans · solar roof fans · AC axial fans · EC axial fans
Engineering examples
- 400 mm axial fan replacement for outdoor container cooling: what to check when replacing a wall-mounted container exhaust fan on a 220 V 60 Hz supply.
- 600 V axial fan for containerized power electronics.
What to include in your enquiry
- Container size (10, 20, 40 ft, high cube) and use
- Equipment inside and its heat output, if any
- Site power (voltage, frequency) or solar requirement
- Existing opening size if replacing a fan
- Climate (hot, humid, coastal) and quantity
Ask LONGWELL about container ventilation →
FAQ
How do I stop condensation in a shipping container?
Exchange the air so moist air cannot build up: combine low inlet vents with a high exhaust or solar fan, and avoid storing wet items. Ventilation reduces condensation, but very humid climates may also need dehumidification.
What size exhaust fan does a 40 ft container need?
A 40 ft container holds about 67 m³ of air. For storage or office use, multiply that by the air changes per hour you want. For equipment, size the fan by heat load instead.
Can I use a solar fan on a container?
Yes. A solar roof fan such as the LW-SPF-320 needs no wiring and runs when the sun heats the container most.
Can you replace the fan on an existing equipment container?
Yes. LONGWELL can propose a replacement candidate. Send photos, opening dimensions, voltage and frequency, and the airflow direction; the model is confirmed by fit and airflow check.