How to Build A Solar Space Heater (Part 1) NCSSM, YIKES, and The Forest Foundation

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hinson0924
March 06, 2009

During MiniTerm 2009, students from the North Carolina School of Science and Math built a solar space heater with Dr. Marion Brisk. While doing this, they created a video in the hopes that their e...

During MiniTerm 2009, students from the North Carolina School of Science and Math built a solar space heater with Dr. Marion Brisk. While doing this, they created a video in the hopes that their efforts could be replicated.

Supplies:
3-2x4x96 pieces wood
1-4X8 piece of plywood
1-4x8 x1 piece of Styrofoam insulation
1-4by4 piece of plexiglass or the equivalent area (less pieces is better though)
1-1x1X96 piece of wood
1-4x8 piece of black sheet metal
Caulking
Paint (Primer and topcoat)
Assorted power tools such as drills and saws.

Procedure:
1.Screw the 2 pieces of 2by4 wood onto the piece of plywood at the edges parallel to each other, 2 side facing up. (See diagram)

2.Cut the last piece of 2by 4 to size, so that it will fit between the 2 pieces that are on the outside of the plywood. Make it as tight of a fit as you can and screw it in the same way (See diagram.)

3.At this point you should have something that resembles a box. The next step is to measure and cut the piece of Styrofoam insulation to fit in the box. Cut it to size (you will end up taking off approximately 3 on 2 adjacent sides, but make sure that it will fit) and then insert it into the box so that it fits snugly.

4.Cut 2 the 1x1 piece of wood to fit on the inside of the box, as flush with what will be the top of the box where the plexiglass goes. Be careful not to make the pieces too high, because if the pieces are too high, they will cause leaks between the plexiglass and the rest of the box. These pieces will be the baffles, allowing for better heating of the air within.

5.Paint all of the wood that you used, including baffles, with a waterproof primer, making sure to fill all crevices so the wood will be protected (the crevices can be filled with spackle before painting, but this is optional). Allow to dry overnight.

6.While the rest of the space heater is drying, cut the sheet metal to size so that it will fit inside of the
box. You will end up cutting off approximately 3 ¼ on adjacent sides.

7.When everything has dried insert sheet metal and install the two baffles separating the space heater into 3 equal sections.

8.Caulk the whole structure to make it airtight and cut holes at the top and the bottom to allow for air flow. (You may want to prime the newly exposed wooden surfaces at this point as well.)

9.Paint every wooden surface black. And let dry overnight.

10.Attach the Plexiglass (by screwing it on top, with the screws in fairly close intervals.)

11.Caulk to make airtight again

12.And youre done! Attach couplings to holes and attach to building of choice. Top hole will be for output and bottom hole is for input.

A special thanks to the following students for making this project possible:
Weston Nelson
Gagan Vaseer
Hannah Pifer
Markus Le
Hinson Neville
Parker Chocklett
Tara Beck
Shivani Patel
Danya Liu

Category: Science & Technology

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YIKES NCSSM

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centervilletn (3 months ago) Show Hide

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I use metal 2x6 for my box and 1/4 inch plyboard for the back...i insulate the box using old fiberglass cieling tiles and then line the box with aluminum bubble paper...i build an inner frame out of 1/2 and construct a maze within that box. then i use recycled aluminum from mobile homes as my heat sink..glaze and its done...i get 185 dg heat...very very good results..

great project!

GFS05np (6 months ago) Show Hide

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i like the idea of recycling, in the videos of soda-pop cans painted black in a solar air heater better, its cheaper to reuse things, then buy a new sheet of metal. the insulation can be new or other recycled stuff.

i think if more ppl now unemployed plus those in school in temperate climates make at lest 1-2 for each of their houses. ppl could save a lot of $ in winter.

jeffmunger (9 months ago) Show Hide

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you are the only kids who will be warm in the next decade.

packagewarren (9 months ago) Show Hide

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great job guys. 5 stars. you even include the parts list. nicely done.

raa11y (9 months ago) Show Hide

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Get rid of the stupid music or atleast have it at the same volume as the rest of the video. Nice try all the same though

missmalloryevans (9 months ago) Show Hide

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I agree. I was also having some trouble reading the list at the beginning.

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How to Build A Solar Space Heater (Part 1) NCSSM, YIKES, and The Forest Foundation

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