This solar heater works by using the sun’s energy to generate heat in towers of hollowed-out cans. The principle of hot air rising allows for the flow of heat from the heater through the pipes and eventually into the desired heated area. Our design builds off of an existing models of can heaters by making a more transportable and less breakable product. It incorporates a basic wheel kit made from 2x4's and recycled bike tires.

The original design can be found here:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Beer-Can-Solar-Space-Heater/

Step 1: Materials:

2”x4” boards of assorted length: Approximately 20 board feet for heater body, 20 board-feet for wheel kit
90 standard 12 oz beverage cans, uncrumpled. Can substitute standard 16 oz cans
60” x 30” flat wooden surface ie. plywood or marine particle board
48” x 12” quarter inch plywood
60”x30” transparent surface. Can be glass, plexiglass or an acrylic sheet
Two 6’ length x4 ” diameter tubes. Could be dryer vent kits corrugated water spouts, etc...
Heat resistant silicon sealant/caulk
Black spray paint
(optional) Recycled flexible foam––use for insulation, should have consistency of camp sleeping pad
2 recycled bicycle wheels of same size
Rod to serve as Bike wheel axle (usually approx. 3mm), should be at least 8" long

Step 2: Assemble Wood Frame

Cut 2x4 boards into 2 60” pieces and 2 27.5” pieces
Assemble to build frame around 60”x30” flat wood surface

Step 3: Prepare Air Duct Ports

Drill 4.25” holes at top and bottom of frame
Cut plywood into 4 12” squares
Drill 4” hole at the center of each plywood square
Cut plywood squares in half
Clasp half-squares around smaller corrugations to form a tight lock. We’ll later use this to attach them to the frame

Step 4: Prepare Beer Cans

Remove opener tabs, push back opening slits to maximize size of the opening
Drill 0.75” hole in the bottom of each can

Step 5: Stack Cans

Create 10 rows of 9 cans, use silicon caulk to connect and seal each row
Link cans in groups of 3 before forming entire rows. This minimizes movement strain on caulk as it sets
Cut 2 2”x4” boards to 27.5”. Drill 1.5” holes every 2.625” with center 1.3125” above edge of board, so holes line up with openings in beer cans. These will hold the cans in place
Screw boards with holes onto frame to fasten cans place.
Spraypaint cans black

Step 6: Screw Clear Surface (acrylic Sheet) on Top of Frame of 2x4’s

Drill holes at corners and along edges at approx 1’ intervals

take care to drill slowly as to avoid cracking the surface

Step 7: Build Wheel Kits (see Picture for Reference)

Cut 2x4’s to two sets of 44,” 22,” and 30” boards
Cut two 4.25”x 6”x2” spacers out of wood
Screw 22” board into the side of 44” board
Drill 3/16” hole (for axlerod) approximately 2 inches above bottom of 44” and 30” boards, horizontally centered
Screw spacers into 44” board starting approximately 15” from bottom
Screw 30” board into spacers to match bottom of 44” board
Insert tire, axle-rod. Tighten axle-rod.
Repeat

Step 8: Attach Wheel Kits to Frame

Screw ends of both wheel kits to the sides of the frame using 2 screws at each junction
Cut a 33” 2x4 board, screw it to bottom of both wheel kits at L-junction. This serves as a brace