SunTex Solar Screen project - Page 3

Xringer · 03-21-13, 10:10 PM

I saw that shade cloth stuff and wondered how well it might work as a collector element.

After looking at the close up pictures in this link
Amazon.com: EasyShade Sunblock Black 40% Shade Cloth UV Resistant 6ft x 50 ft: Patio, Lawn & Garden

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg

It seems like horizontal strings with floppy thin flat strips of reflective plastic, connecting the strings.
It seems like air flow might be a lot higher than my 80% screen.
Which isn't idea for the collector design I'm thinking of using.

It might work, if it's not too reflective and can stand up to the temperatures inside a sealed collector box.

Gary didn't like the out-gassing he got with the FG screen..
New Page 1
He thinks it might have been a film or coating & not the screen itself.
He's interested in testing the Suntex screen. (per his Email).

In one of the reviews of the Suntex 80%, the reviewer said he had switched
to using the 90% screen and found it was thinner and easier to work with.
That sounds real good to me. Price isn't too much of a problem,
since I'm not going to be building more than a single 4x8 footer.
That is, if I can sell the idea of a front-yard install location..
Which may not be possible. Unless the winter drags on until late June.

AC_Hacker · 03-22-13, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xringer

...Which isn't idea for the collector design I'm thinking of using...

I was actually referring to your sun-blocking window coverings.

-AC

Xringer · 10-02-16, 12:14 PM

Five year update:
The solar screens were just taken down for the winter.
They look pretty good, almost like new.
A little white detergent residue on the bottom section, left over from cleaning the vinyl siding this summer.
(They need to be hosed down).
Their solar heat blocking ability seems to be exactly the same as when new.
Visibility when looking outdoors, is still the same.

I still highly recommend these screens..

Daox · 10-03-16, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the update! I love to hear how things hold up over time.

Xringer · 05-30-20, 10:39 PM

8 years, 11 months, 23 days Update:

Since we've been working (babysitting) on weekdays, and not using the den,
and it's been a pretty cool spring, we've not had to put up with a hot den.

But today we were home and it did get up into the high 70s in the den.
So this afternoon, I dug up the screens (they look like new) and installed them.
We could feel the difference within the hour. Much easier to cool in there.
White the sun was still up, I shut down the mini-splits while the evening meal was being cooked (keeps the filters cleaner), and we didn't have any solar heating problems with the den.
Like I said before, these screens were a good investment. They've paid for themselves a few times over..

Xringer · 07-21-20, 06:20 PM

Looking around for a source of solar screen and found this 75% blocker stuff at Amazon.
Might to the job in some areas of the world..

https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Gobain-...dp/B00LRVK6CS/

03-21-13, 10:10 PM	#21
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I saw that shade cloth stuff and wondered how well it might work as a collector element. After looking at the close up pictures in this link Amazon.com: EasyShade Sunblock Black 40% Shade Cloth UV Resistant 6ft x 50 ft: Patio, Lawn & Garden http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg It seems like horizontal strings with floppy thin flat strips of reflective plastic, connecting the strings. It seems like air flow might be a lot higher than my 80% screen. Which isn't idea for the collector design I'm thinking of using. It might work, if it's not too reflective and can stand up to the temperatures inside a sealed collector box. Gary didn't like the out-gassing he got with the FG screen.. New Page 1 He thinks it might have been a film or coating & not the screen itself. He's interested in testing the Suntex screen. (per his Email). In one of the reviews of the Suntex 80%, the reviewer said he had switched to using the 90% screen and found it was thinner and easier to work with. That sounds real good to me. Price isn't too much of a problem, since I'm not going to be building more than a single 4x8 footer. That is, if I can sell the idea of a front-yard install location.. Which may not be possible. Unless the winter drags on until late June. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-02-16, 12:14 PM	#23
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Five year update: Five year update: The solar screens were just taken down for the winter. They look pretty good, almost like new. A little white detergent residue on the bottom section, left over from cleaning the vinyl siding this summer. (They need to be hosed down). Their solar heat blocking ability seems to be exactly the same as when new. Visibility when looking outdoors, is still the same. I still highly recommend these screens.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

10-03-16, 08:52 AM	#24
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Thanks for the update! I love to hear how things hold up over time. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-30-20, 10:39 PM	#25
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Nine Years and they are still working fine.. 8 years, 11 months, 23 days Update: Since we've been working (babysitting) on weekdays, and not using the den, and it's been a pretty cool spring, we've not had to put up with a hot den. But today we were home and it did get up into the high 70s in the den. So this afternoon, I dug up the screens (they look like new) and installed them. We could feel the difference within the hour. Much easier to cool in there. White the sun was still up, I shut down the mini-splits while the evening meal was being cooked (keeps the filters cleaner), and we didn't have any solar heating problems with the den. Like I said before, these screens were a good investment. They've paid for themselves a few times over.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

07-21-20, 06:20 PM	#26
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Looking around for a source of solar screen and found this 75% blocker stuff at Amazon. Might to the job in some areas of the world.. https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Gobain-...dp/B00LRVK6CS/ __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..