Almost Free Solar Hot Air Collector

Step 7: The Next Step

The Next Step

•         Make more hot air collectors and mount them on the house to offset the heating bills. Possibly insulate the collector to reduce loss of heat through the side and back.

•         Reduce the fossil fuels we use. 

Testing

•         I placed the completed collector in a place where the sun shines for most of the day.

•         I placed a thermometer near the top hole of the collector.

•         I recorded readings every hour.

•         The reading of 53°C on the meter is the collector inside temperature as you can see the thermometer gauge inside.

 

•         On test day the maximum outside temperature for April 19, 2010 was 15°C.

•         The difference gave us a range of 20°C to 50.9°C free heat.

 

•         10:00 am   46°C / 114.8°F

•         11:00 am   58.5°C / 137.3°F

•         12:00 pm   63.1°C /145.58 °F

•         1:00 pm     65.9°C / 150.62°F

•         2:00 pm     62.4°C / 144.32°F

•         3:00 pm     54.3°C / 129.74°F

•         4:00 pm     35.0°C / 95°F

Comments

[Woodenbikes]

Excellent advice on being an Eco recycler. Another place to ask is where you see a commercial building tenant improvement in progress. They often gut the interior including 10 year old obsolete lighting for the panel boxes and acoustic ceiling tiles that could be used inside the boxes for insulation.

[ecosteve]

Thank you for your comments, When you think about it even poop is not waste, methane gas (cooking heating), fertilizer and even a source of solid fuel, Even in some places in the world they polish the floors with it. One mans trash can also change the world for the good.By the way here is an updated you tube video about solar hot air collector that I made. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZwdhjTWU0c

Eco Steve

[lostinthecolonies]

wOw   impressive     its shirley got me thinking.    
would like to see photos of the finished installation ?  could boxes like these be constructed out of wood or is there an inherent advantage to metal ?

[eagleflyingoverhead1111]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE PHOTOS AS WELL? PLEASE!

[ecosteve]

Thank you for your comments. Eco Steve

[lordzion]

inherent advantage to metal ? not really but these were saved from the landfill

[ecosteve]

Thank you for looking and  I have 14 to make so i will try many of the ideas mentioned as feedback including insulating the rear inside and sides of the up coming collectors. Eco Steve

[Sabata]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Heater/

From some of the discussion on that 'ible, it sounds as if *not* using metal may have some advantages.

So even though metal construction might be slighly less efficient, the fact that ecosteve got these fixtures for free and is keeping them out of the landfill probably equals everything out in the end.

[ecosteve]

Thank you for looking and  I have 14 to make so i will try many of the ideas mentioned as feedback including insulating the rear inside and sides of the up coming collectors. Eco Steve

[TweakGeek1]

I would love to try some of these out.  I agree with some advantage to using non-wood, but like was said I agree that saving from the landfill has more advantages.  Not to mention if you cold save some sheets or pieces of styrofoam to glue to the back of the metal it would help with retention of heat.

Great idea! 

[ismisunderstood]

Where did you get the solar panel from? Was that a junkyard save, or did you have it from a previous project? I'd love to learn where to get these for cheap / free! :)

[ecosteve]

Being a Pro Eco Recycler Posted 06-26-2010 at 11:29 PM by eco steve Tags -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are a few strict guide lines that I follow to ensure a happy and productive partnership of parts. Remember most companies have to pay to get rid of some surplus. 1.If you don't ask you will not receive legally, I have received free things like: -73 used power packs (retail $200 ea. total $14,600) -1 3000 watt 12 volt inverter with 1 blown internal fuse -1 1750 watt inverter -20 Deka Ungly 45 ah deep cycle batteries (retail $3000) -Free sheets of 4 x 4 cedar plywood (?) -3 wood stoves -Clay to make a earthen oven -3 72 volt forklift motors (retail $1200) -600 amp Zappi 72 volt forklift controller with regen. braaking (retail $3000) -Large satellite dish to make into a parabolic solar cooker -43 used light fixtures to make into solar hot air collectors (Instructable) -15 100 ah 8D AC Delco RV batteries (retail $4500) -17 Square D 761 safety disconnects -5 15 watt 12 volt solar panels -1 100 watt 12 volt sharp solar panel -36 feet 4/0 forklift battery cable -Glass for our greenhouse -3 water heater -300 feet of fibreglass cloth -3 toast ovens -coolers of free vegetables to feed our vermicompost pile -paint, fibreglass resin, pool chlorine .......... -pond pump -$2000 free lumber -swimming pool -2 camper trailers -boat -2000 feet of mixed color copper wire And the list goes on and on and on Ask if there is something that they need, try trading items BUT DON'T STEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2.Tell them what you are really doing, don't lie, they will be even more happy to help you if they really dig your project. Be excited and let them live through your project . When I told people at work that I was building a electric car I received 20 Deka Unigy 45 ah deep cycle batteries (retail $3000) for free as they were swapping out old ups batteries from a back up system. 3.If they say no because they need it, don't steal, ask if they may know where you may get one. 4.Offer to pick up the part(s) at their convenience night or day and if you are qualified, offer to remove the parts with your own tools and ask what tools you will need when and if you need to come back (mechanics are very sensitive of their tools). 5.If they scrap parts for scrap metal weight or trade them in for a core charge, offer to pay them in cash for that. 6.If you have special skills that they may use, you can also barter your services for their parts. 7.Don't sell the parts for any reason, if the donor company finds out they will cut you off. 8.Clean up after yourself. 9.Don't be a pain in the rump, ask when to call again or if they want to call you. 10.Don't hog things' spread the wealth give things away too, ask if they need it back if you can't use it after all. 11.Don't sort or separate there take it all home, don't be a pest and most important - clean up after yourself. 12.Do be very thankful. 13.Do be educational. 14.Do be humble. 15.Do bring 1 or 2 pictures of you project so they may see your vision and also become inspired. 16.Have fun and wear safety shoes and always have a first aid kits. Eco Steve