Pop Can Solar Heater - Page 3

madmike · 09-30-11, 01:16 PM

Today the inlet air temp is 17C (62.6F) and the outlet temp was 54C (129.2F) and I just stuck my glass thermometer in the outlet for less then 3 minutes, didn't want to break my thermometer already broke one (dropped it). That gives me a 37C (98.6F) temperature rise, might still need a bigger fan.

Daox · 09-30-11, 01:18 PM

Yeah, I think I'd go for more airflow.

cdig · 10-05-11, 08:47 AM

How did you get a uniform curve on the top and bottom edges? did you use a giant compass or something?!

madmike · 10-05-11, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdig

How did you get a uniform curve on the top and bottom edges? did you use a giant compass or something?!

I used a piece of string and a nail and pencil, I think I had 87" or 89" for the radius. My panel is 45" wide and the center of the curve is 3" higher then the edges. I just marked the one end, cut it out and then marked the other piece with the first one. Once the second one was cut out I clamped both pices together and sanded both pieces at the same time. It actually turned out pretty good considering I only had an old cheap jig saw to cut the ends with. Hope this helps you out.

cdig · 10-05-11, 09:30 AM

thats exactly what i was thinking of doing but figured I'd ask. I hate reinventing the wheel

madmike · 10-08-11, 01:14 PM

Just a little update. Well after having only 2 hours of usable sun shine in the last 3 days the temperature in my garage was down to 14C (57.2F). As of noon the temp has climbed to 17C (62.6F). The fan has been running continuously for about 2-1/4 hours now. The inlet air temp is 17C (62.6F) and the outlet air temp is 50C (122F). By the way outside temp is 6C (42.8F). Panel has had full sun for about 1-3/4 hours. Looking good so far

cdig · 10-08-11, 03:24 PM

That rocks mike, very encouraging! I'll be very interested to see what kind of temp differentials you're getting when winter sets in. What's normal and extreme low temps for your area? We normally get an average around -15 to -25c from november/december to march/april with a few cold snaps around the -35c mark in january. I'm picking up my glazing next week, so construction on mine should start very soon. still need to pickup a fan and solar panel, but at least i can start building once i have the glazing.

madmike · 10-08-11, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdig

That rocks mike, very encouraging! I'll be very interested to see what kind of temp differentials you're getting when winter sets in. What's normal and extreme low temps for your area? We normally get an average around -15 to -25c from november/december to march/april with a few cold snaps around the -35c mark in january. I'm picking up my glazing next week, so construction on mine should start very soon. still need to pickup a fan and solar panel, but at least i can start building once i have the glazing.

Pretty much the same as you but probably windier here.

cdig · 10-18-11, 03:04 PM

Picked up my acrylic today! Got to thinking tho, how did you deal with thermal expansion/contraction of the glazing? has it pulled away from your sealing at all? did you just drill holes through it and screw it on? Seems to be what everyone else is doing, but nobody seems to have any problems with this approach?

madmike · 10-18-11, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdig

Picked up my acrylic today! Got to thinking tho, how did you deal with thermal expansion/contraction of the glazing? has it pulled away from your sealing at all? did you just drill holes through it and screw it on? Seems to be what everyone else is doing, but nobody seems to have any problems with this approach?

I just used silicone and then I used 4 inch aluminum facia on the sides to help hold the glazing in place. The top and bottom I used aluminum drip edge to hold glazing tight on the ends. I cut the drip edge every 2 inches so it would follow the curve nicely.

If I were to redo the glazing I would try to find 1/8 x 3/4 inch butyl tape, ift would probably work better with the expansion and contraction of the glazing. I would also just make a straight box, (no curve on the front) the you can finish the box on all sides with the aluminum faciato make a nice professional looking panel.

09-30-11, 01:16 PM	#21
madmike Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 52 Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Today the inlet air temp is 17C (62.6F) and the outlet temp was 54C (129.2F) and I just stuck my glass thermometer in the outlet for less then 3 minutes, didn't want to break my thermometer already broke one (dropped it). That gives me a 37C (98.6F) temperature rise, might still need a bigger fan. Last edited by madmike; 10-05-11 at 09:15 AM..

09-30-11, 01:18 PM	#22
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Yeah, I think I'd go for more airflow. __________________ 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.

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10-05-11, 08:47 AM	#23
cdig Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	How did you get a uniform curve on the top and bottom edges? did you use a giant compass or something?!

10-05-11, 09:30 AM	#25
cdig Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	thats exactly what i was thinking of doing but figured I'd ask. I hate reinventing the wheel

10-08-11, 01:14 PM	#26
madmike Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 52 Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Just a little update. Well after having only 2 hours of usable sun shine in the last 3 days the temperature in my garage was down to 14C (57.2F). As of noon the temp has climbed to 17C (62.6F). The fan has been running continuously for about 2-1/4 hours now. The inlet air temp is 17C (62.6F) and the outlet air temp is 50C (122F). By the way outside temp is 6C (42.8F). Panel has had full sun for about 1-3/4 hours. Looking good so far

10-08-11, 03:24 PM	#27
cdig Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	That rocks mike, very encouraging! I'll be very interested to see what kind of temp differentials you're getting when winter sets in. What's normal and extreme low temps for your area? We normally get an average around -15 to -25c from november/december to march/april with a few cold snaps around the -35c mark in january. I'm picking up my glazing next week, so construction on mine should start very soon. still need to pickup a fan and solar panel, but at least i can start building once i have the glazing.

10-18-11, 03:04 PM	#29
cdig Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Picked up my acrylic today! Got to thinking tho, how did you deal with thermal expansion/contraction of the glazing? has it pulled away from your sealing at all? did you just drill holes through it and screw it on? Seems to be what everyone else is doing, but nobody seems to have any problems with this approach?