How To Make an Aluminum Can Solar Air Furnace: Part 1/4

Learn the basics to building a lasting, efficient, aluminum can-solar air furnace, step by step. This short video series takes you from establishing a proper frame size to various methods of 'finishing' your furnace for both aesthetic and weather proofing purposes.
The total cost of this project was about $30.00. The beer cans are recycled, the glass is salvaged from an old solarium, the aluminum cladding , insulation, and the lumber used for the frame work is all salvaged material from a construction site., and the DC fan is salvaged from an old pc. Spray paint and high heat adhesive/tape were the only materials purchased; a complete material list is available in the video.
A solar air furnace is a great way to contribute to the thermal mass in any home, providing the sun is shining and the furnace(s) is facing it, and this video is a great tutorial to show both skilled DIYers as well as beginners, how to accomplish it; tho a word of caution to those with little to no experience with power tools - seek the aid of an expert. Of course, creative thinking could also open a door for 'substitutes' to power tools ;)
If you have any questions, leave a comment, send me a message or email me...xXladXx@live.ca

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• How to
• Make an Aluminum
• Can
• Solar
• Air
• Furnace
• DIY
• solar furnace
• pop can
• beer can
• glass
• thermopane
• alternative energy
• renewable energy
• solar energy
• wind power
• wind energy
• energy conservation
• solar panel
• solar heat
• solar water furnace
• thermal mass
• convection
• radiation
• solar radiation
• space heating

[elgalan010203]

How can i get the fan how many volts is the batery and solar panel where can get it

[lad18913290]

@elgalan010203 you can use almost any fan that will fit properly and requires the proper current. i used an old 3" computer fan. it runs on a 12V DC current, drawing less than 0.5 amps. the solar panel is cheap, cost about $30.00 and i bought it at a local hardware store. you could probably find one in a similar place, or through a sports/camping goods retailer - folks around here use them to charge atv and boat batteries. (to continue...)

[lad18913290]

@elgalan010203 (continued...) the solar panel only produces about 1 watt, but that's just right for the fan i use. the battery you see in the video is not currently being used - i used it in the video just to test the furnace. because the fan requires the same current the panel produces (DC), and because both the furnace and the panel will only operate when the sun allows them, then a battery is essentially useless. (to continue...)

[lad18913290]

@elgalan010203 when the sun comes up, the collectors begin to charge with heat, the solar panel begins to harness energy and the fan automatically turns on. when the sun goes down, the solar panel stops harnessing and the fan shuts off, and what thermal energy is left to escape the furnace in the evening is accomplished via convection.

[lad18913290]

@elgalan010203 whatever you use for a fan, make sure it can withstand high temp's

[elgalan010203]

how many squere feet can heat the heater

[lad18913290]

@elgalan010203 i will have 3 installed on my 1280square foot bungalow, and that's overkill. keep in mind that this is a great SECONDARY heat source - even tho this furnace contributes a great amount to thermal mass, another source of heat is still required to maintain room temperature at night (or when there's cloud cover). but when the sun comes back up, the collector begins to charge - and when the clock on the wall says 12:00pm, all i'll need until the sun goes back down is the furnace heat.

[joseney21]

@lad18913290 Dude your videos are the best and most thorough i've seen, and I've probably looked at 99% of all videos on DIY solar heaters out there. I'll be using your videos to make my solar heaters step by step. thank you so much for the effort, great work!!!

[The1Sugamama]

Excellent video, great work and love the music! Thank you so much for sharing!

[elgalan010203]

how many squere feet can heat the heater