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Author Topic: Homemade Cola Panel  (Read 16101 times)
Other-Power
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« Reply #90 on: May 23, 2010, 06:55:40 PM »

Hello Colin,

Just re reading this postas I have carried out some work on the efficiceny of these air heaters.

How are you getting on with yours now the weather is better?

Any one else made one of these, would be good to keep this post going.

Regards

Jonathan

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daftlad
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« Reply #91 on: May 23, 2010, 07:03:08 PM »

I am in the process at the moment but I am struggling to find a supplier of cheap perspex, any ideas.
ta ta
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I WILL KEEP BANGING ON ABOUT MASONRY STOVES
Other-Power
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« Reply #92 on: May 23, 2010, 07:29:36 PM »

Is there any reason you want to use perspex?

Glass is cheap, if you support it correctly you can get away with 4mm float.
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Amy
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« Reply #93 on: May 23, 2010, 07:57:34 PM »

Im glad this thread is still going. I still want to make one and now have even more reason. I think I have the ideal location to put one or two. Lashed to the side of the boat.  bike
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daftlad
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« Reply #94 on: May 23, 2010, 08:46:53 PM »

Is there any reason you want to use perspex?

Glass is cheap, if you support it correctly you can get away with 4mm float.

I just assumed (maybe incorrectly) that putting a panel on a 30 degree roof and get a good hail storm and I would end up with one busted panel?
How much support would you suggest for 4mm glass?
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dhaslam
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« Reply #95 on: May 23, 2010, 08:49:03 PM »

Polycarbonate is stronger and a bit cheaper.
www.master-plastics.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d76.html
Acrylic probable has better light transmission  but that shouldn't matter too much.  
www.master-plastics.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d225_Acrylic_Sheets.html

What is the advantage of the cans compared to a flat metal sheet, only about £10 for an 8' X4' sheet?
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Other-Power
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« Reply #96 on: May 23, 2010, 08:54:08 PM »

Re support,

On the panel of mine earlier in theis thread I used a sheet of flaot glass and it is still in one bit over a year later, I have moved this panel about a bit, back of car, trailer etc, nothing has broken yet.

If you are putting it on you roof then plastic might be better.  you need to have a web search for the type of plastic you need for UV exposure.

I will give you all a little looky at what I have been doing with these.



This picture is of me testing a rnage of absorbers.

Basicaly its looking like thin wall aliminium cans respond fast thus give more useabel output.

I am doing a lot of work on this and shall share soon.

Regards

Jonathan
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daftlad
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« Reply #97 on: May 23, 2010, 09:19:11 PM »

Good stuff.
ta ta
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Rhea View
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« Reply #98 on: May 24, 2010, 12:50:31 AM »

daftlad

Our greenhouse is only 3mm glass and that's withstood a few hailstones. Reckon your panel with glass would be fine.
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MR GUS
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« Reply #99 on: May 24, 2010, 08:52:43 AM »

List, cheap clear acrylic sheetought a good sized one laocus DIY stores, I bought a good sized one last year for a halloween spirit image projection (the old theatre hall trick) was around £12, very good value for the size, cannot obviously comment on how it will react over time ,(or even a short period), but seeing as this is test rig frottery may be worth a punt, obviously this stuff is available in different thicknesses, however for my purposes it was the largest thinnest sheet available propped up above a big tv lying on it's back with the angled sheet of plastic simply supported by a few thin bamboo canes..

So I'd think it'd be fine witha few well chosen pinning & support ponts without having to hunt far & wide, it is used after all for all those cheap sheds on sale as an alternative to glass..
Love this threads productivity.
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zeus
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« Reply #100 on: May 24, 2010, 06:50:19 PM »

What is the advantage of the cans compared to a flat metal sheet, only about £10 for an 8' X4' sheet?

Hi

Answer is 3.142 times the surface area, therefore increasing the capacity to transfer the collected heat to the airflow through the system ..... I tried to convince 'she who must be obeyed' to allow me to mount some similar 'passive' panels made with 100mm aluminium ducting a couple of years ago before settling on a passive solar wall (she won as usual, anything for a quiet life) .....

Regards
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Clearview 8kW helped by an 8lb splitting maul and loads of insulation Cheesy ....... (with mains gas for the odd cold period !!! Wink)
4kWp of roof glazing : SMA inverter / 50 x EV tubes
petertc
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« Reply #101 on: May 24, 2010, 08:22:38 PM »

Just a though what about some thin walled aluminium irrigation tubing ?
not sure what the current price is on that but you get a 6m length of it.
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Amy
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« Reply #102 on: May 24, 2010, 08:54:29 PM »

There will be bent lengths flung in hedges about the farms. Ive never run over any but ive seen lots.
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zeus
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« Reply #103 on: May 24, 2010, 10:13:11 PM »

Just a though what about some thin walled aluminium irrigation tubing ?
not sure what the current price is on that but you get a 6m length of it.
Hi

Don't know what the wall thickness is, but reckon it would be much heavier gauge and therefore a longer reaction time than beercans or flexible ali-ducting. When I was looking it was at something similar to this (http://www.wickes.co.uk/Aluminium-Ducting/invt/713024 ), using the flexibility to create a serpentine, utilising the shape and the construction ridges to create both a longer path and turbulent airflow .... (more fun to use the 'pending' panel project as an excuse for some late nights sitting in the garden whilst it's warm though, if you can get away with it   Cool)

Zeus  Smiley
« Last Edit: May 25, 2010, 01:16:55 PM by zeus » Logged

Clearview 8kW helped by an 8lb splitting maul and loads of insulation Cheesy ....... (with mains gas for the odd cold period !!! Wink)
4kWp of roof glazing : SMA inverter / 50 x EV tubes
petertc
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« Reply #104 on: May 25, 2010, 01:05:12 PM »

Just checked an off cut off irrigation tube that we used in a wind tunnel project  Grin you would be very surprised where we use agricultural bits and pieces !!!

1.35 mm wall thickness
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