Need help with sun simulator design

GaryGary · 02-10-12, 10:48 AM

Hi,
I've been working on an indoor sun simulator so that I can do solar thermal collector testing indoors and without always having to having to do side by side tests with a baseline collector.

The sun simulator currently uses six 400 watt metal halide lamps to light up a collector that can be up to about 2 by 4 ft.

Its coming along pretty well, but I'm having some trouble getting to a reflector design that gets enough of the lamp light onto the collector. If you have a minute to look at the setup and make suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
All the details here:
A Sun Simulator for Solar Thermal Collector Testing

Its on the long side, but you can skip down to near the bottom and see the
problem.

Gary

Daox · 02-12-12, 06:58 PM

Perhaps you could check out craigslist or something for used industrial lamps to use the reflectors from them?

GaryGary · 02-12-12, 09:34 PM

Hi,
I've been keeping track of the Craig's list offerings for the last couple weeks. We are not in a really densely populated area, so it probably not as good as some places.

I've seen some metal halide lights for warehouse type lighting, and the prices are pretty good -- they come with a built in ballast. But, I think the reflector patterns are too wide for my use. Also a few grow lights -- Pot growing in MT went from semi-legal to not so much, and it looks like some folks are getting rid of the gear.

A few things have been suggested for making the reflectors better, and I'm going to try a couple of them tomorrow.

Gary

02-10-12, 10:48 AM	#1
GaryGary Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SW Montana Posts: 139 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	Need help with sun simulator design Hi, I've been working on an indoor sun simulator so that I can do solar thermal collector testing indoors and without always having to having to do side by side tests with a baseline collector. The sun simulator currently uses six 400 watt metal halide lamps to light up a collector that can be up to about 2 by 4 ft. Its coming along pretty well, but I'm having some trouble getting to a reflector design that gets enough of the lamp light onto the collector. If you have a minute to look at the setup and make suggestions, I'd appreciate it. All the details here: A Sun Simulator for Solar Thermal Collector Testing Its on the long side, but you can skip down to near the bottom and see the problem. Gary

02-12-12, 06:58 PM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Perhaps you could check out craigslist or something for used industrial lamps to use the reflectors from them? __________________ 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.

02-12-12, 09:34 PM	#3
GaryGary Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SW Montana Posts: 139 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	Hi, I've been keeping track of the Craig's list offerings for the last couple weeks. We are not in a really densely populated area, so it probably not as good as some places. I've seen some metal halide lights for warehouse type lighting, and the prices are pretty good -- they come with a built in ballast. But, I think the reflector patterns are too wide for my use. Also a few grow lights -- Pot growing in MT went from semi-legal to not so much, and it looks like some folks are getting rid of the gear. A few things have been suggested for making the reflectors better, and I'm going to try a couple of them tomorrow. Gary