Solar Window Heater...

[Naptown]

i just posted a thread on here somewhere about this very thing. im making a beercan unit to put in my window sill.
i have my computer fan.....but these little 2 solar cells i bought from "the shack" wont turn the fan.
these cells are 6v,50mA each.
what can i do?

what does the motor require as far as voltag and watts and is it DC or AC

[Lannyh810]

its just a fan that goes in a computer tower...12v

[T-bones]

Fan Voltage...

Yes, the fan is 12 Volt and is DC. I have been on the lookout for them ever sense I realized that they could come in handy. Surplus outfits will have them from overstocks and liquidations. Their cheap or free if your keep your eyes open and snag them from computer towers or electronics that require a cooling fan. I have fans in 3 of my solar-heaters and they work great.

[solarsupply]

it is true that the Solar-Heat and Solar-Hot Water are the best way's to take advantage of the Sun. because many people use that and the others are also making ....

[Naptown]

it is true that the Solar-Heat and Solar-Hot Water are the best way's to take advantage of the Sun. because many people use that and the others are also making ....

Yes thermal is the most practical of the solar technologies and can be done as a DIY project. Just don't expect any credits from the US or US state governments for a DIY project.

[netttech]

A lot of DIYer are using Aluminum Downspouts in case you get tired looking for soda cans. The surface area is about the same, plus the air-flow thru the downspout. There are guys experimenting with Aluminum Screen also which has shown some promise. I joined this forum & it's pretty good site to exchange ideas on solar thermal. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SimplySolar/
Jeff

I was thinking of making a SodaCan passive heater and putting it OUTSIDE And below the windows with a duct going inside.
The advantage being that the windows would not be blocked the disadvantage being:
1. unit would have very cold air coming into it and the vent would have to be closed at night or a draft might negate any heat build up during the day.
2. It would look kind of funny.

What do you think the most effcient heat sink design is? Soda cans are obviously round pipes, with the back side never getting any heat. but would it make more sense to just have a strip of aluminum 8 feet long 2 inches tall? It would create a surface area much greater than the cans when the sun was perpendicular to it, but as the sun angled more and more of the metal would be shaded.
What would be the most effcient depth? and spacing between the fins? I guess I'll have to go outside and play with it. .

[AdvapointSolar]

Solar window heater is probably one of the breakthroughs that would really help especially people who are living in cold places.

[JennyRox02]

Solar window heaters, some times called window solar air heaters, are an eco-friendly product that can help to supplement your home heating system. If you have several windows with a southern exposure you might want to consider some free solar heat.

A window solar air heater will not eliminate all of your heating costs, but it can reduce some of your monthly electricity costs. The more windows you place a solar heater in the bigger your heating savings will be.

[russ]

I like solar air heating units - can be quite productive in many locations but they are generally very, very overpriced.

Simple items with all low tech components but vendors really put the price up there.

Not 'free' solar heat.

[CarrieTaylor]

turn on 68-80 and off at 67 . this does not make sense let it run continiously and a small fan cannot provide any temperature control not unless the area is small very small. a small fan 6" at 1500w will take the better part of 4 hours to raise the temperature of a 12x12' 10 degrees.

[T-bones]

?????

Sorry Carrie. I missed something. Not sure what your referring to with the numbers. I'm thinking you responded to the wrong post.

That being said I have a 12 volt computer fan in my window heater bringing in 90+ degree heat for up to 7 hours during sunny winter days. It is in my very insulated bedroom which is in my very insulated home and the heat from it can be felt in the hallway.

It doesn't heat the house but it brings in supplemental heat as do my other solar heat units. The fan runs continiously. If my house heated up beyond the setting of my thermostat then all the better.

I will be putting it back in the window soon.

Conservation first, then every little bit helps.