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.
so does that love filled blanket Rich !!!
Linda Pegram Martin. Better put dad to work making some of these! Lol
Wow that’s great!!!
Made one of those in the 70s and it is still working. .. warmed the house very well with sunshine, 20 below zero and a foot of snow. …. that I remember because it was Christmas day!!!
I can definitely see using this to throw BTU’s into a crawlspace. Have the intake side hose down low drawing the coldest air and the warmed exhaust dumping out at the highest point possible to a facilitate natural flow.
build it in a metal box
Could work for us!
What happens during the night? We heat with a wood stove
6g72Ghost says:
“Yes its true that they recir ulate air. Bu specific models now a days have a mandatory inlet for external air to reduve allergens in the house hold. And any system that has central humidification usesair fromnoutside as well. And large roof based swamp coolers pull in only new air, and dont recirculate air whatsoever.”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/simple-solar-furnace-under-50/comment-page-5/#comment-707230
very interesting. I want to know more about the “stovepipe and alum” can setup. Living in the desert s.w. we have cold evenings but plenty of sun during the day! I want to cook the house and garage during the day so it’s warm by nightime. Any one have a picture of their setup?