A simple solar heater that is cheap and easy to make. When there is direct sun on the unit it produces heat like a hair dryer.
According to the creator it produces a stream of air of around 120 degrees.
Some suggested tips for improvement:
– Make sure your black paint is matte so it doesn’t reflect the sun.
– The air moves by convection, however, you could add a small computer fan on the outlet and wire it to a 12 volt solar cell the unit to control the air rate.
– The intake size could be adjusted to control air rate as well. Making the intake smaller will give the air time to heat up while passing through the dryer ducting but it will slow down the rate of air flow. You can run it hot and slower or with more air and not as warm.
– A flat plate could be added between the intake tube and inside wall up to a little pulley inside the house. You could then adjust the air rate like this as well and have an on/off option.
– Add insulation to help maintain heat running through the system. Could prove vital for very cold areas.
I built a prototype unit like this that sits up in a south facing window inside and uses a solar panel to drive a small fan on the input. Output temp peaks at over 110 degrees F.
Matt Quinn
A note on the black paint, don’t use any of real cheap sprays. The Wal-Mart brand of flat black turns to a powdery grey within a year or so. Only blacks I’ve had last are Rustolem & Krylon. Also get a pint of flat latex for the case.
Gary Goodbread
Salavote yes u hook up a small computer fan to a small solar panel and you have it a fan no electricy
John Pryor
I don’t need that today
Eat beans and lite your farts
Ivvbk kph bbbjj
Real off gridders here, probably a goodly portion have a housing association to tell them what color to paint. LOL