Solar Furnace air temp.

[earzcd]

Great series of videos. What was your total cost to build this? I'm looking at making one similar before winter.

[jab0805]

@earzcd I had some of the materials already, so it only cost me around 100 bucks. If you where to build one now without having any of the materials I'd say you're looking at a couple hundred dollars if not a little more. I built mine after modernblacksmith here on youtube. I basically followed his design to a T. If you want to build one on the cheap, you should check out richallenmusic here on youtube also. He does a fantastic job. Good luck and I hope to see yours posted.

[1971SuperLead]

MAKE SURE THAT BATTERY BOX IS VENTED OR YOU COULD HAVE A SERIOUS EXPLOSION.

[laithnour]

if you want to save money, get rid of that dog

[Icabad]

are there any that are adjustable? Or do you have to buy them with preset temps?

I was thinking that one issue that comes up is having a door that opens or closes when the temperature drops. I know there's a kind of metal that retains certain shapes - so one shape would have the door open at a certain temp, and another the door shut- of course this might not work for seasonality...

[jab0805]

@Icabad Yes there are adjustable snap disc. They are a little more costly and you could actually bypass the snap disc. and just wire up a regular thermostat to come on at what ever setting you desire. The snap disc. I use cost me 10 bucks.

[Icabad]

Do you have a switch of some sort on there, or do you turn it off and on?

[jab0805]

@Icabad I have a snap disc. thermometer inline with the fans. The circuit completes when the temp. reaches 110 degrees. The circuit is broken when it cools below 90. I also have an over-ride manual switch in case it gets a little too warm inside. It's a regular switch that you'd use for a light. Good question. Hope I helped.

[Icabad]

@jab0805 i'm curious why 90 and not, say, 75 degrees. Wouldn't that be over what you'd want your interior space to be? Or is the difference just to account for loss?

[jab0805]

@Icabad You can find snap disc. thermostats in a wide variety of temperature settings. Some open on rise, others close on rise. I found that the heater retained very little residual heat when no longer in direct sunlight. So the decline is pretty rapid. 110/90 works best for my situation.

[sc00b3rt]

Did you use foam board insulation that contractors use for housing or sheets of Styrofoam that would be for shipping type applications?

[jab0805]

@sc00b3rt I used the contractor type. My mistake was painting it black. i should have left the reflective surface unchanged. I was after max heat.

[ChinaGroveNC]

Thinking about building one for my home in China Grove, how is it holding up?

[jab0805]

@ChinaGroveNC It's still working. I am in the process of moving the fans and all the wiring outside. I'm going to connect everything to the heater. Good luck if you decide to build.

[VideoGuyNC]

Old blue jeans make great insulation. Since the temp shouldn't reach the temp required for combustion, I wouldn't see a problem with using it for your use.

[jab0805]

@VideoGuyNC Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't thought of that one.

[qsk2pc602]

pretty large area to heat. does the heat from the box get lost?

[jab0805]

@qsk2pc602 No, it acts like another heat register in the home. It's not enough to heat the whole house solely, but it helps. Every little bit helps:)

[teenblac]

Well I think you're great! Pretty amazing. The only thing I have a hard time understanding is where are the little fan, how they are connected and how you connected a swicht? Thanks for all the videos

[Belkara]

Thanks for posting. It is people like yourself that inspire the rest of us.

[powaqua]

hey guys, am collecting materials to build one. where do you get that foil-backed insulation? no luck at the big home centers

[jab0805]

I found the Polyisocyanurate listed at our local Lowes home improvement store. I just went to lowes online and typed in insulation and scrolled through the huge list. I plan on using something else. I had no luck with the foam insulation.

[GoatHollow]

Look into using "Polyisocyanurate" insulation, (the stuff with the aluminum foil backing). It's rated for a high enough temperature, to withstand the temps in your heater

[jab0805]

Thanks so much for the useful information. I love the internet! I will be looking into this. The reason I chose the insulation I did is because it's so easy to work with. If I can find this polyisocyanurate insulation it will be great.

[the1969info]

great video. I have seen others that have used fiberglass insulation. It had started coming free due to the high heat. I was wondering with the 110 degree coming in, what was the temp inside your home?? Can you feel the difference from the solar heat to house heat? I really like how you gave us all the info we could use. Good luck in the spring with that foam.

[jab0805]

Thank you. I try to keep the temp. inside the house at 72F. Yes, you can feel the difference from the solar heat to home heat. Thank you for the info. about the fiberglass. I will be looking into alternative insulation.

[centervilletn]

it was 33 here today and my little heater was pushing 150 degree air...these things are awesome ...i dont use a fan though i let mine thermosyphon like a flue it works great ...excellent vid!

[jab0805]

Thanks! That is awesome news! I need a better temp. gauge. mine only goes to 120. I pegged it out so i'm real curious to see the actual temp. myself.