ALPHA STIRLING CYCLE ENGINE DIY OFF THE SHELF STEAM ENGINE SOLAR MOTOR

[10001000moon]

very good

[10001000moon]

oh good

[KoalPilot]

ok, I have been quiet for too long, but let me tell you what you need to make this thing work, then and only then, I'll start thinking you are smoking something good:

You need a huge displacer piston, whatever you have in mind, make sure it's 5 to 10 times bigger, then it will work, the volume of air needed to overcome the initial inertia, and the friction is much more than you have been allocating .

[tryin2lhard]

I think your idea would work well with the proper modifications as you said, as well you pointed out that you need a hot heat source, I am betting that using a rocket stove wood burner incorporated into the setup would work well in producing enough heat to run the engine under load.

[Joeteck]

Real cool, However... You need to know that 480p is NOT high Definition !!! 720p is close, but 1080p is where its at!

[jrmaxwe]

Quick question. For a college project my group is making a Parabolic Solar Concentrator. Right now we are in the process of finding or making an Alpha Stirling Engine. I was wondering if there was anyway you could sent us plans on how to make one or if you could tell us where to purchase one. We need one big enough to power a generator. If you could get back to me as soon as possible please and thank you.

[10001000moon]

jkhjpogh

[dessous01]

Hey Dan,

Can you give me an idea about how much heat would I need to run a motor this big?

I mean how many degrees...

[ConstructoD]

I m 11 and i know its a compresor . and he is going to ruen it

[TheSpeleocaver]

Also Insulate your regeneration tube

[TheSpeleocaver]

Hi Dan,

several things you might try to make your engine more efficient . Firstly use more coarse steel wool, Also if you r compressor has a couple sets of rings remove the bottom sets to reduce friction, Unless it is an oil ring. Next use 70 psi of compressed air, Fill the crankcase with compressed air. it will leak by the rings and equalize in the cylinders and the dense air will have more power. Encase your hot piston so it will not loose heat to the atmosphere.

[TheSpeleocaver]

@TheSpeleocaver Also put some Ice on the cold cylinder

[Elnyne]

Why do we need to fill the feed tube with steel wool?

[TheSpeleocaver]

@Elnyne It is an efficiency measure used to reheat the cold air as it returns to the hot cylinder.

[AClarke2007]

Something should germinate eventually from this stagnant desperation.

[stmotorsports]

would I be correct in assuming that a stirling would work best in winter when you would not only be able to concentrate solar for the hot side but also you would have lower ambient temps to aid cooling for the cold side?

[letmeinnowdrewski]

I've watched a couple of your videos. If you want the compressor pump to work I think you need a more efficient regenerator. The dead space in the steel wool will reduce your efficency so you may need a better material and perhaps a better design than just a tube. Try fine stainless steel mesh and maybe look into a differant geometry

[saiello2061]

Ironically? Don't you mean 'luckily' or 'it just so happens that...', etc, etc...? Ironically means the opposite of what you want or expect... ;o)

[energyman1988]

the heat will melt the rubber o-rings that seal the pistons...

[4E047RHH]

Instead of hydrogen,Would high pressure nitrogen work?

[astrialkil]

@4E047RHH Or high pressure Helium?

[MultiMarcin16]

tandeta

[NikolaTeslaJohnGalt]

Try a tesla pump, it works better, and achieve higher efficiencies. Where can a series of small fersenel lenses be bought?

[kaderoder]

Keep it up Dan.

[profetarmageddon]

help me out here. I have a boat that I want to run on steam but i am broke. there are lots of parts around. how do i make a air compressor run on steam?

please direct me. rthis is exactly the angel i was thinking of.

[ungenauer]

@limpbelly , the oil industry want you to depend on their energies like gas and diesel. just search for:

"automotive stirling engine development project"

stirling engines aren't weak, they are able to produce much power if they are well designed.

this video is interesting, too:

Rhombic Drive Stirling Engine Part 3

[limpbelly]

Why don't the big comp's make stuff like this??????

[ytams1]

Hydrogen and helium have a habit of leaking away. Air is a possible gas. Nitrogen is basically air with the oxygen and argon removed. Oxygen rusts metals like iron and aluminium. Carbon dioxide can be a goof working gas.

[piespokladowy]

*****

[mountain177]

no i'm not joking i have done this and it works

[SpencahD]

Dan,

I have thought a bit about this avenue of yours - apparently you have as well!

I was thinking along a Rhombic drive - one sleeve with two pistons - as a better operation. It is a simple affair with tubing, pipe sections and some heavy guage wire (for armature)

In any case, the stirling is ideal for Cooling operations - the Tesla is ideal for rotary generation as regarding thermal-conversion.

If you're ever in Colorado, you are welcome to visit my lab.

[Grimekid780]

Hello, Me and my dad think your videos are interesting, And we might try it.

[mountain177]

actually allyou have to do for a pressure engine is take a 2 stroke weed eater engine

and put an air fitting in the spark plug hole and put 50 psi or greater and it will run like a steam engine

[Fentanyl3]

@mountain177 lol, hopefully you are joking, otherwise, you are full of well, you know

[Jasminewynja]

Do you think this idea would work combined with a stove?

[navierstokes100]

Where can I buy this stirling engine?

[Moneymax3001]

soo,, after every shutdown of running such steam engine... i would imagine... a little oil injection to keep cyl.. till next run. the piston rings will need replaced with ceramic.. ty for being there and sharing... moneymax3001

[enlil06]

should have done a voice over for the schematic. just an observation

[roadjournal]

lots of back ground noise

[bazengao]

does it works?

[8MADJACK]

Great stuff!, I am definately interested in your further experiments with this as a stirling and possibly even more so as a steam engine. Keep 'em comming!

[master199313]

уебок. включил бы хотябэ

[veewee7764]

Dan,

I am experimenting with one like this, but i actually put a displacer and hot cap on one of the cylinders. It will almost run with a propane torch, but I am thinking it'll need more heat. Also, the one I have is a two-stage type, meaning that one cylinder is larger than the other. That could be a problem as well. . . I'll get pictures and post so you can get the idea.

[ChiefJusticeBadger]

@veewee7764 Propane? How about HHO? How about a video? The closer Youtube gets to that off the shelf design the better.

[2old2learn2flyheli]

well i think the channel is pretty cool, it opens peoples eyes to the world around them, and what is possible with a little thought and curiosity.

[fairyheli2]

Americans attempting to know what irony is, THE HORROR! THE HORROR!

[jhunted7667]

you should study Charles and boyles laws for exspanding gases PV=nrT

your problem is that the corridor for air passage from one cylinder to the other is too big there must be restriction to form a vaccume

[MrNigel1340]

Hi Dan, have found your videos very informative, currently researching building a wind generator for myself and a water turbine for a friend using all recycled components, and looking to make a stirling engine for myself just for fun, have had my head in many scrap metal skips looking for parts, doing well so far, having problems finding your follow on videos on the stirling engines can you give me any advice please, thanks Nigel Cox

[MrNigel1340]

Hi Dan, have found your videos very informative, currently researching building a wind generator for myself and a water turbine for a friend using all recycled components, and looking to make a stirling engine for myself just for fun, have had my head in many scrap metal skips looking for parts, doing well so far, having problems finding your follow on videos on the stirling engines can you give me any advice please, thanks Nigel Cox

[jfarrau]

cooool

[Calliber50]

Hmm, I've seen binary cycle geothermal power plants. I guess you could take heat water with solar power and get the same effect. Wonder what kind of acreage you would need to generate 50-100 Megawatts. SEGs take about 1600 Acres but I think they're only using steam.

[024reredrum]

Solar? I'd power it with wood gas then you would have plenty of cheap power no matter what the whether!

[sogofootwear]

Have you think of attaching a gasifier on this engine?

[easymac79]

I have seen you melt concrete, how is that not enough heat for this engine?!

[anfiach]

That kind of intensity would compromise the casing and could be dangerous. The problem is applying a high level of heat for a significant amount of time at a low intensity. Another problem is that a compressor has fins built in for air cooling thus reducing the amount of heat that is transferred to the interior of the engine. Most of it radiates away.

[easymac79]

@anfiach I was thinking of it more as this is what it should be used for, but it requires an external energy source. I forgot that he had modified it.

You could mount it to an adjustable stand, like his motorcycle stand and place it at various points in the focus so as to reduce the intensity but keep the high level of heat.

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

@easymac79 It is enough, the piston rings were the problem.

[shorty40merza]

@GREENPOWERSCIENCE hello Dan, i wrote an email inquiring to purchase the stirling engine on your website, (GREENPOWERSCIENCE1@yahoo.com) are you guys too busy to reply?

[eloid777]

@GREENPOWERSCIENCE w it working dan update this videowith the mods you made

[565Customz]

@easymac79 im wondering the same

[hoser4]

@easymac79 Remember that heat and temperature aren't the same thing. The bigger the engine, the more energy you need to raise the temperature of the working gas up. Another consideration is power delivery; it takes energy to swish air back and forth in the engine, but the fresnel lens might not deliver sufficient energy *in time* to make the engine work. Stirlings are not at all easy engines to get working.

[caboflyguy]

He's getting to famous to return messages now. Or he cashed a check to early..UPDATE...........ca'mon­! At least say your working on it OR it won't work!

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

@caboflyguy WORKING ON IT, actually there is a follow up

watch?v=UajnWVBe0qA

It works, just not great. This design has promise but is not as simple as the wikipedia drawings. I regards to not answering and or cashing out, we get about 150 comments a day on all videos. I spend most of the time censoring &%## comments, it is Youtube after all. Keep in mind we are not just a Stirling engine channel, do not own a machine shop and do videos between work and clouds.

[zulubakery]

yeah wheres the next vid? c'mon now

[caboflyguy]

Im loosing faith. You promised a sequel. If it won't work let us know PLEASE!!

[Z0mbeSlayer]

wheres the sequel to this video? I've been waiting forever.

[cinndave]

Rain?? Are you in in the Seattle area or something?

This is why I'm against solar power subsidies. Right now, a huge chunk of the world's supply of solar panels is getting bought up with subsidies and sent to cloudy-ass Germany where they make less clean energy than they would have otherwise. Meanwhile, artificially stimulating the demand drove up the price of silicon 9x, making them harder for the rest of us to build affordably.

>:-(

Sorry. Had to rant.

[craig1360]

have you ever thought about using a gasoline engine and running it on air, obviously a 4-stroke engine as a 2-stroke need oil in the fuel

[mecanomy]

hi guy...

I liked it very much that you did that Stirling engine ,but I'd like too see, it works..I know that it works and be happy to see us on youtube.....

Sorry for bad english !...

[ivanleed]

did you try it with the fernell yet?

[caboflyguy]

Still waiting for you to tear it down and show us how to make one. Are you thinking it doesn't work??

[58belvedere]

was that off of a harley from the 30s

[theoldgalah]

58belvedere Its just a plain old garden variety V twin compressor.These are everywhere and can be had for not much

[Kimble275]

COOL!

[felixmoure11]

hydrogen explodes easly with heat, should use Helium instead

[sailingsolar]

Yes, Hydrogen if highly combustible. However, unless I'm wrong it's not a problem here. The Hydrogen also needs Oxygen to be present to combust. For combustion you need three things, any two won't work.

#1 A fuel = Hydrogen

# 2 Sufficient heat = High enough temperature

# 3 Oxygen= Oxygen, have to have it.

By using100% Hydrogen it's 100% sealed inside the compressors pistons.

No Oxygen no combustion, EVEN with sufficient temperature. SS

[felixmoure11]

its true but oxygen is in the air .any dain could cause problems. helium is light and shouldnt cause any problem

[superscifi12]

@sailingsolar but the problem that I am reading about it the steel/cast is hydrogen permiable. The hydrogen will leak through the steel and eithercould catch on fire or need constant refilling. helium would be better.

[CmdrTobs]

not if u keep 02 out. anyway once you plug the equaltions its optimal to use the lightest most ideal gas. H2 and He have both the best potential with h2 winning it. problem is both gasses are 'leaky' they will actual leak ot through tiny gaps and even through the metal structure over the years

[bdmaple]

those gasses leak over hours...and h2 can make any welds brittle. use He if you use anything other than air.

[CmdrTobs]

Yeah, I agreed with you. They leak out is a reason I gave.

But if you run the theory Hydrogen is optimal....In the same way Hydrogen is optimal by theory in balloons....:)

[cricketol]

in place of hydrogen would Helium work as well? asking because its easier to get it and also liquid cool the other end? to have better heat dispersal and would have to go to a lighter weight oil and put all your fresnel lens on it all at one time lol idk but you may get a big kick from it lol

[MrAndrewHall]

Dan - you are on the right track.

I have sucessfully converted the same V twin compressor into an alpha stirling.

You will need to take the piston rings out.

There are 2 pressure rings and 1 oil ring.

They cause too much friction. I substituted a single o-ring. A leather cup seal would work better.

With a heater built on top of one side and a water jacket cooler on the other - I have seen 300 plus rpm .

[shorty40merza]

Hey Dan your Videos are great but are you sure the compressors have 90 degrees phase difference? that's what you need for a sinusoidal sterling. i am thinking of buying a cheap one and use it as a crycooler by connecting it to a strong engine, what do you think?

[Trailltrader]

Well Kid, I think yer on the right track- youre certainly more off the shelf savvy than I was 30 years ago. Too bad there wasn't some way using a Frensel Lens to concentrate the suns energy then use a dense liquid or gas to transfer like on a primary/secondary coolant system on a nuke reactor. Good job, Kid- keep it up

[fredfeedsfancyfeet]

all very well, but why don't you show us your test runs...

[TheBattleWagon]

So look man good Idea,way off on how it operates. Yo have two difrent sized pistons so that means two difrant expantion,and contraction cyilinders so it would run with an off set lope unbalanced,You need to remove and replace one or the other side with a duplicate so using two compresors you can build two balanced but difrent displacement stirlings.

[nitecrawler1958]

does'nt the freon lubarcate the CRANK bearing's ? Good vidieo

[veewee7764]

I have made one similar to this, but I added a hot cap and added a displacer to the larger piston. I just need to get more heat to it to get it going. If it works, I will let you know.

[gined13]

Great stuff Dan!! Keep up the good work.

[TheLightningStalker]

It's obvious if you have the pump that the first cylinder is larger than the other, but not immediately obvious in the video. A little something you didn't mention

[reivaj077]

Every video I have seen from you, my man, has floored me.,..kicking myself for not running across your videos sooner,..oh well,...

[bigrobnz]

Ure aclever bastard thats for real, luv ure downloads!!!

[BOBKB3NZX]

Hey dan, start thinking about using MAPP gas. rather than propane. mapp gas can produce your heat requirement while not melting anything.

[handycat123]

Stirling cycle engines are best in pumping applications when the pumping liquid can be used to cool the cold side. It can messy in a model table engine, but I think, well worth it for a successful demonstration. In this case I see a water jacket on the cold side connected to an hose faucet as a pseudo pump.

[steelraptor]

I would love to see this engine in action, maybe you could just test it with a propane torch?

[trossachs2003]

I have a similar idea to this that I want to follow up - instead of a pump I thought about using a 2 cyl motorcycle engine- in particular a Ducati because the 2 cylinders have a 90 degree firing angle. And a bike engine is already designed to handle heat and most of the engineering is done. Surely it would be a case of getting rid of the valve heads and replacing with a simpler head and running a transfer pipe from one cyl to the other. I wonder if anyone else has tried this with any joy?

[djpickle68]

Please update us on your progress. I have a compressor like this one laying around. And the frezel lens from a 62" tv....would love to see more on how to...

[Longboy4]

(I am thinking the piston head is where the heat is applied so the first cycle would start with cool volume....) You want to heat the air in the cylinder, not cook the engine. .......Take the head off and bore a hole about about 70% of the piston bore thru it. install and seal a like diameter 10inch long hot cap and have at it with a propane torch! We'll be waiting when your eyes widen on the next video when this thing takes off.

[handycat123]

Right I think. The Rider engines had what looked like a displacer fastened on the hot piston and a "hot cap" on the head, to move the direct heat further from the piston. Apparently, you can move the cooling jacket to the ring travel area of the hot piston without ill effects in this type...

[nephozo]

very interesting!

[ricande]

Did you ever complete this engine? Would be nice to see it run.

[Dunndeer]

Fasinationg thing Air Presure.

This engine wilks on the laws of thermal Dynamics.

I noted that he did not have a Heat Sync in the Transfer pipe.

you have to have enough space for that Air to Expand otherwise you will blow the top off your Cold Cylinder or burst your Transfer pipe.

[caiusgiuliuscaesar]

2:37

[Robert697]

It's ALWAYS "starting to rain" there. You need to come live in Arizona.

[arturomoises64]

Good work Dan.

I can't tell but I thought the hot side is the displacer and should be larger than the power piston. Have you ran it yet?

Art

[24max]

I hope that your engine doesn't explode! Be carefull if you have oil in it, if so, at least don't try to pressurize it with air. One person have died when phillips engineers tested it. But thanks for your videos, hopefully we see new ones...

[sweetdude4561]

I am really interested in knowing what modifications you made inside it and i als want to know an alternate for reed switch u used in a 2 stroke engine..i am located in a small town of india and its impossible to get a reed switch here..

[bewert]

If you can find a bike computer, the pickup is a reed switch.

[TK42138]

Another great video. I like the idea of using existing tech to make a large Stirling Engine. I'm wondering if a flat panel solar heater would provide enough energy to run the engine? Maybe put a peltier based cooler on the cool side and glycol filled copper pipe from the solar collector on the 'hot' side.

[silver760]

if your lucky enough to find a two stage compressor pump like that seconhand (thats any good) you are very lucky,to buy new these comprssors cost stupid money!

[jbodden6977]

check your local metal recycling yard - you would be AMAZED!

[silver760]

Problem there is most things tend to be knackered though I have had a few "suprises" in the past I admit,thing is though in the UK they have banned members of the public from taking anything off the (dump) recycling centre,due to health and safety and the law plus insurance purposes as some nasty accidents have occured with dump reclaimed goods,people were taking old tellies and burning their houses down with them etc.

[Calderazhongkui]

I'm glad my Gov't hasn't made any laws forbidding the tinkering of junk. They make bombs outa cow poop too, what next make cows illegal?

[silver760]

You can get your junk to play with as long as it hasnt made it to the tip "Recycling Centre",which can be a bit difficult,the dunps before all this health and safety crap,you could go there and have what you wanted,sometimes a few quid in their tea fund worked wonders,then they started selling junk to the public,then the gov stopped that too as explained before,so much for recycling at home!!

[TheDave570]

davidpost1.....the idea of these videos are to help "BackYard"

mechanics build these things....How many backyard mechanics do u know that carry a slide rule around ?????

[jbodden6977]

Sly Drool and the LoggaRythms - didn't they play Woodstock? Besides, I gotta computer - why mess with sliderules?

[callmeshane303]

Dan the sex GOD....

I saw the way he magically "appeared" at the start....

Gee Dan - your really clever, I could never make something like that.

[jhwtech]

Dan,

Thanks for your Videos.

I'm writing for 2 reasons today.

1) I'm hoping the next videos will not get put off.

2) The whole idea of steam and heat engine is more powerful then many people think.

There is a solar over on the internet that reaches 600 degrees, you could set up an array of them heating water to steam and with a good steam engine you get a lot of power. OR, Stick the tube end of a Stirling engine in one and you get 500 to 600 degree heat constantly.

[AtvProjects]

Do you know if you could get a air compressor pump about the size of a yo-yo?

[FearTurtles]

have a look at the small 12volt compressors for autos.

[STARFIRESOLAR]

Cool !

[GaGirlie777]

Keep it up! You may become rich one day.

[cfavreau]

How about testing with a torch? It should allow you to test the design without being weather dependent and the heat is somewhat adjustable.

[rsthunder]

awsome ---come on sun

[rajivpandit]

try use the wankel engine they are more efficient and simple

[SWINGREGORY]

wouaaaaaaaaaaaa

[ikcti]

Ooooh!

[luc59457]

I seen that sterling engine on Wikipedia a few days ago.

[electrotek]

Great approach to experimentation and explanation of science... Includes out-takes and show it how it is un-edits :)

Great Stuff.... Hope the sun shines soon :)

Thanks,

James :)

[BamaKattt]

dude, this is friggin awesome! Keep up the good work!

[djancak]

Love the intro & can't wait to see it run

[Hamish121212]

Hi Dan. Awesome mate. Keep up the great work. I really apreciate your videos. I hope this works. I would like to make one to pump water if it does work.

[muddymuddymuddmann]

the piston rings have a lot of friction due to the pressure on the piston walls. this is the main obstical. and a regenerator made with a wide cylindar stuffed with steel wool or aluminum wool will work well. the wider the cylindar the less resistance for air flow. but the regenerator volume capacity , after the space is taken up with the wool material, can also buffer the output too much , due to the air in the chamber absorbing the compression / vacuum. betas use 14-28Lbs. alfas use much more.

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

This compressor I pulled the rings off as the base can be sealed. The seals on this pump were damaged from me messing with it. The larger silver models seem to flow very well for their size.

I am thinking the piston head is where the heat is applied so the first cycle would start with cool volume passing through the wool on the hot side for expansion without baking the rings.

[cricketol]

for a STIRLING of that size would you not need to have a water cooling on the cool cylinder ?? not something air cooled?

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

Yes, good question:-) Water cooled is one of the needed add ons to this design.

[ytams1]

With a big lens/mirror a medium sized Stirling engine should work with cloud cover. Something for a future video.

Andrew Swallow

[doug2877]

nice set up DAN

[hlblade57]

thats like a car motor piston then.

[Stormrunner0002]

That was the biggest drawback for green science as power source for the industrial revolution. It is too dependent on the weather.

With the present day grid system and energy efficient machines it is now possible.

[Intransitman]

Interesting concept,  Godspeed.

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

:-) Thank You.

[motormaker]

Good luck Dan. I have made a few stirling engines. I hope this works out for you but I have my doubts. I hope you can prove me wrong. ;)

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

It is not a simple lay up:-) I think it will work, I have made some modifications to keep the heat towards the top and protect the heat piston rings.

[jeffery19677]

I can't wait for the fresnel lens heat source on this motor... I am checking youtube every day..

When is the Discovery Channel going to discover you guys???WTF??

[brukins]

Thanks I hope it works. I just remembered I have a few compressors lying around, maybe not the right ones though, but I needed to put these on eBay anyway.

[RCvolunteer1978]

Dear Dan Please find an old air hummer gun and look inside at the way the transfer of the air forward and back though compress air only... Which pushes the wheel forward to cycle the the pistons to ready and then to fire

instead of the firing ( the gasoline) to let in hot heated air in to run the " Generator " I hope you understand ...

[scoobydog411]

why not boil water with trash . Too run a steam engine at home . Use water to clean the smoke off the trash ?

[scoobydog411]

Dan im sorry you live in FL. I live in Arizona. its going to be sunny and 106 today .

[RCvolunteer1978]

Today in Central Florida will be 99*F which the heat index of 109*F with no rain

[GREENPOWERSCIENCE]

It is too damn hot:-0.

I got some video today.

[TimmyOFlinn]

How high of a temperature do you need to make a stirling engine run. Is it a case of the bigger the engine the more heat needed?

[marthale7]

I would really like to see this motor run on steam, I have been thinking of a steam engine and would like to see your results.

[godsend420]

damn rain i want my science oh well im sure the vid will rawk 5*

[piwright42]

"It's actually starting to rain right now, so I'm your host..." I feel bad but just the way you said it Dan made me laugh. Definitely intrigued by the concept. This would be the first Stirling engine I have seen with a big enough flywheel to get some work done. Can't wait to see more.

[ohmslaw111]

Wow, that is why the silver one has been in the background of your video. I just looked at one I have in my garage. It is the Alpha. Nice I thought they were 180 degree off but you are correct, it is 90 degrees. excellet TY.

[thepvcbikeguy]

We do appreciate that you go Thur the trouble to do this stuff thanks

[DannysCam]

yay!! at work we got a bunch of those!! my boss did not make pay roll i know what im taking!!!

[motters2001]

Cool. I look forward to seeing how it runs.

[lvecsey]

solar thermal to rotary converter, nice :)

[tjgame2]

cool

[ZED74]

Boil that water ! good luck .. Its a great idea .

[ignilc]

nice