Bug screen solar hot air collector

pletby · 01-15-16, 09:57 AM

Hey gang I thought I would do a build thread on my solar hot air project. It started out as a proof of concept for me (Gary Resa and others made it work long before me but I didn't believe it would work so well in Winnipeg) and now I'm hooked on solar power as it works quite well. I had been put off trying this by a friend who said he'd tried making his own and he hadn't realized much heat during the winter. I'm glad I didn't listen (I'm quietly stubborn) and went ahead anyway. Now I'll have to ask him about his system to find out what he did wrong.

It works even though I had to make some very late design changes to accommodate a concerned wife. I think now that she's seen the performance of this unit and the finish level possible that future projects won't be as influenced.

I learned that building a panel in place would be a much easier way of doing things, but that I would be committed to finish within a reasonable time. My panel spent two years in my garage before I got mad at it and hung it up already. I suppose you could call me a procrastinator too. A recovering procrastinator.

Vital stats: 4x8' collector so 32 square feet minus a few for insulation thickness. I used standard Fiberglass bug screen in two layers as an absorber and used 4" ducting run by a NuTone radon fan. Controlled by a common snap switch or a manual override for trouble shooting. I followed Scott Davis' plan of routing the ducts in the house.

I have decided that installing on the side of the house vertically is the ultimate home for this panel. It'll get rid of losses over the long ducting runs I've used and directly heat the living space instead of the basement. Sounds like a good summer project. Maybe a second panel?? I will also go with 6" ducting and fan. I'd like DC and variable speed.

Next up: Pictures!

01-15-16, 09:57 AM	#1
pletby Renewable Energy Nut Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 42 Thanks: 17 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	Bug screen solar hot air collector Hey gang I thought I would do a build thread on my solar hot air project. It started out as a proof of concept for me (Gary Resa and others made it work long before me but I didn't believe it would work so well in Winnipeg) and now I'm hooked on solar power as it works quite well. I had been put off trying this by a friend who said he'd tried making his own and he hadn't realized much heat during the winter. I'm glad I didn't listen (I'm quietly stubborn) and went ahead anyway. Now I'll have to ask him about his system to find out what he did wrong. It works even though I had to make some very late design changes to accommodate a concerned wife. I think now that she's seen the performance of this unit and the finish level possible that future projects won't be as influenced. I learned that building a panel in place would be a much easier way of doing things, but that I would be committed to finish within a reasonable time. My panel spent two years in my garage before I got mad at it and hung it up already. I suppose you could call me a procrastinator too. A recovering procrastinator. Vital stats: 4x8' collector so 32 square feet minus a few for insulation thickness. I used standard Fiberglass bug screen in two layers as an absorber and used 4" ducting run by a NuTone radon fan. Controlled by a common snap switch or a manual override for trouble shooting. I followed Scott Davis' plan of routing the ducts in the house. I have decided that installing on the side of the house vertically is the ultimate home for this panel. It'll get rid of losses over the long ducting runs I've used and directly heat the living space instead of the basement. Sounds like a good summer project. Maybe a second panel?? I will also go with 6" ducting and fan. I'd like DC and variable speed. Next up: Pictures! Last edited by pletby; 02-10-16 at 04:50 PM.. Reason: Updates, corrections and new thoughts.