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.
Rob Presnell
Had something like this in the late 80s on our roof. Just a black tank that warmed the water before it went to the hot water heater. Saved a considerable amount of energy.
Dora Bucker says:
“If you were living off the grid moron.there are people that do not have hot and cold water. that have no heat. Last winter alone so many people needed heat because of outages. Think first, then comment.”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/simple-solar-furnace-under-50/comment-page-1/#comment-383603
I like this idea
Modifying it with pvc pipe would give you a good water heater.
aluminum absorbs heat better than most any other material…
JON Corbett copper absorbs more heat.black does not reflect the sun aluminum will
Marty Miller
Marty L White
Eric Ledbetter
Great idea for the workshop!?