I don’t know if it is true, but I’ve read other people say that a fan pushing cold air into the cold inlet is more effective than pulling it from the hot outlet. Something about the density of cold air being greater than the density of warm air. I wasn’t sure what the commenter meant though. Perhaps you could try a test sometimem by swapping the fan’s position and turning it around so it pushes air into the cold inlet. In any case, nice job and thanks for the upload! (^.^)
The system can be improved if you switch the air in a heat accumulator (stones, water bottles etc.).. This system seems very simple to build. I wonder if you get the same results you have with aluminum cans.
Cool!
Ideally, you’d run an insulated “return” duct from floor level at the opposite end of the trailer back up to the lower “intake” hole in your solar collector.
The other hole needs to be connected to the trailer or house you install this on because the air won’t have a chance to be trapped inside the enclosure no greenhouse effect. Like when they tell you to not leave you dog in the the car without cracking the windows on a hot day because when you crack the windows there’s no net heat build up. There should also be double layer of plexiglass and caulking around it.
I made a 3×4′ one just like this and had a fan. When outside 32deg drawing outside air, the heat stopped pretty soon after it started. About a minute or two. I think the pop can heater may be better, I am going to experiment with a $25 4×8′ version.
According to an old Mother Earth design you should close the loop with an intake tube to the floor of the trailer. That way the potential for an increasing rise in temperature in the trailer is continuous. There are enough cracks in houses and trailers for fresh air, the real problem is needing more BTU’s in winter.
Great idea; I live in Mexico and during the winter some rooms are pretty cold.
Basically your design looks practical, though the idea of adding hollow cans to increase the effeciency will be part of the design I I would go for.
Thank you for sharing “green” ideas.
Oops don’t paint black reflective surfaces inside the box would work better. Black absorbs and spreads heat. Reflective surfaces turn the long light waves into short heat waves.
25 Comments
September 21st, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I don’t know if it is true, but I’ve read other people say that a fan pushing cold air into the cold inlet is more effective than pulling it from the hot outlet. Something about the density of cold air being greater than the density of warm air. I wasn’t sure what the commenter meant though. Perhaps you could try a test sometimem by swapping the fan’s position and turning it around so it pushes air into the cold inlet. In any case, nice job and thanks for the upload! (^.^)
September 21st, 2010 at 6:18 pm
This is very cool, thanks.
September 21st, 2010 at 6:24 pm
The system can be improved if you switch the air in a heat accumulator (stones, water bottles etc.).. This system seems very simple to build. I wonder if you get the same results you have with aluminum cans.
September 21st, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Cool!
Ideally, you’d run an insulated “return” duct from floor level at the opposite end of the trailer back up to the lower “intake” hole in your solar collector.
September 21st, 2010 at 8:12 pm
looked a little like my carpentry but it stilled worked. good job folks
September 21st, 2010 at 8:59 pm
very simple which is key so anyone can do it…
September 21st, 2010 at 9:46 pm
@anewlow23 you mean my dog will die if i dont put a hole in my solar heater?
September 21st, 2010 at 10:46 pm
why not just get a 10′ piece of abs? and put some foil around the bottom to reflect the sun back to it?
September 21st, 2010 at 10:53 pm
im a chep bastard i use the new diet dr pepper cans they are already black
September 21st, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Brilliant!
September 21st, 2010 at 11:39 pm
The other hole needs to be connected to the trailer or house you install this on because the air won’t have a chance to be trapped inside the enclosure no greenhouse effect. Like when they tell you to not leave you dog in the the car without cracking the windows on a hot day because when you crack the windows there’s no net heat build up. There should also be double layer of plexiglass and caulking around it.
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:33 am
Good work my friend greetings from Mexico City!.
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:51 am
You can build a solar water heater very inexpensively using the plans at:
ambigrid-review.blogspot(DOT)com
September 22nd, 2010 at 1:34 am
I made a 3×4′ one just like this and had a fan. When outside 32deg drawing outside air, the heat stopped pretty soon after it started. About a minute or two. I think the pop can heater may be better, I am going to experiment with a $25 4×8′ version.
September 22nd, 2010 at 2:14 am
Boom mic please.
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:08 am
Nice set up! 5 stars.
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:55 am
According to an old Mother Earth design you should close the loop with an intake tube to the floor of the trailer. That way the potential for an increasing rise in temperature in the trailer is continuous. There are enough cracks in houses and trailers for fresh air, the real problem is needing more BTU’s in winter.
September 22nd, 2010 at 4:22 am
Great idea; I live in Mexico and during the winter some rooms are pretty cold.
Basically your design looks practical, though the idea of adding hollow cans to increase the effeciency will be part of the design I I would go for.
Thank you for sharing “green” ideas.
September 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 am
No, because the fan is solar powered too – so the fan only blows the air in when there is enough sunlight to generate heat.
September 22nd, 2010 at 5:42 am
at night don’t it blow in cold air ?
September 22nd, 2010 at 5:56 am
Oops don’t paint black reflective surfaces inside the box would work better. Black absorbs and spreads heat. Reflective surfaces turn the long light waves into short heat waves.
September 22nd, 2010 at 6:48 am
If you put the fan on the intake side the air will heat faster (denser air conducts heat faster). Spray the white baffles and inner frame black.
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:40 am
lmao nice
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:18 am
haha lol
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:49 am
in my trailor my sister keeps me warm and hard