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Old 01-07-13, 09:20 AM   #1
vwhead77
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Default Simple, Cheap, Hydroponic System

Hi all, I am a "backyard econo-miser" Found a cool Hydroponic System on YouTube and built one. I believe I have about 160.00 into the whole thing and most of that cost was for the bilge pump (65.00) I have since found 12V pumps and am using solar (3) homemade 60W solar panels and two deep cycle batteries to run lighting and the pump. As it sits, I am using a 115Vto12V timer (found in 'solar lawn light kits) but plan on getting a 12V /12V timer off ebay so I don't have to use any 115V at all.

I have some other neat projects I am working on as well. Like my Solar Hot Air Furnace and my M.A.S.H. Unit [Microwave, Assisted, Stand Alone, Heat Exchanger] All are working models. I guess I can't post images yet 'cause I'm new but I'll get them up soon.

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Old 01-07-13, 09:28 AM   #2
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Welcome to the site.

It sounds like you have some interesting projects going on. We would love to hear about them.

Feel free to break up a post into several smaller posts to get your count up. We just do it to ward off spammer.
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Old 01-08-13, 06:42 AM   #3
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Default Thanks for the Welcome

Yep, I plan on looking through a bunch of posts today. Hopefully I can find enough to comment on and get the count up. I kinda proud of the projects. The Microwave Assisted Stand-alone Heater's [M.A.S.H. Unit] "idea" is patented I did make a working model and tried to find the patent holder but could not locate him. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to pursue a case like this? Thanks for any input
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Old 01-08-13, 09:27 AM   #4
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Here is the M.A.S.H. Unit. Basic function was - Thermostat would call for microwave to come on. Microwave heated [cooking] oil inside a polypropylene coil placed inside the oven. supply and return through rubber grommets on the side of the oven. A small pump would circulate the hot oil through a separate heat-exchanger. A separate thermostat would call for the fan to come come and blow the heat out through the coil into the room. It was a lot of fun to build but I'm afraid the Wattage vs. BTUs is probably not very efficient. I am not a 'math' person so I don't even know how many BTUs it produced but it worked at any rate Anyone care to try figure it out? I did find a patent on the 'idea' but never was able to contact the patent holder to show him a working model. cool - though I was pretty proud of it Here's a link to it

MASH_Done | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
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Old 01-08-13, 09:29 AM   #5
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This is the hydroponic system I mentioned earlier

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9275823@N07/8361853072/

Last edited by vwhead77; 01-08-13 at 09:43 AM.. Reason: back on track
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Old 01-31-13, 12:25 PM   #6
creeky
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nice hack. is that Basil I see?
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Old 01-31-13, 01:10 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creeky View Post
nice hack. is that Basil I see?
It was full of Strawberries and peppers by summer's end

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