Self Powered Solar Box Furnace

Daox · 10-28-08, 01:27 PM

I really like the idea of using a fan powered with a solar PV panel. That should really increase the efficiency of the system. I'm still really wanting to do something like this with my garage.

Self Powered Solar Box Furnace

Daox · 10-29-08, 10:40 AM

Has anyone else thought about doing something like this?

PaleMelanesian · 10-29-08, 11:02 AM

Nice! I think a simple flapper could eliminate the nighttime heat loss problem. Airflow opens it automatically during the day.

Blister · 10-29-08, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Has anyone else thought about doing something like this?

Yeah, I have. I bought 20 page magnifiers a year or two ago from that online auction site and have just been looking for an excuse to use them. They are fresnel lenses and would direct a lot of sunlight onto any given thing. I'm just worried about temperature and sun damage. The plastic doesn't appear to be all that strong and I don't have any reason to think they'd be UV resistant.

I was thinking of either a project like this or a compact hot water heating project. My idea was to have finned troughs lined with a reflective material to bounce the magnified rays around a bit and the fins would be styled to force the intake air around an "S" shaped track long ways up and down the trough. Kinda like the vent system on a fireplace insert. I can't decide on wall mount or roof mount though. There would also be a small fan to draw more air out of the unit.

Our winters aren't as severe as some areas but sometimes it can get down to 10 degrees. I'm not sure whether to tough it out and use the lenses on something else or go for it. Money is always such an issue.

10-28-08, 01:27 PM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Self Powered Solar Box Furnace I really like the idea of using a fan powered with a solar PV panel. That should really increase the efficiency of the system. I'm still really wanting to do something like this with my garage. Self Powered Solar Box Furnace __________________ 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. Last edited by Daox; 10-28-08 at 01:30 PM..

10-29-08, 10:40 AM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Has anyone else thought about doing something like this? __________________ 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.

10-29-08, 11:02 AM	#3
PaleMelanesian Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 118 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Nice! I think a simple flapper could eliminate the nighttime heat loss problem. Airflow opens it automatically during the day.