Solar space heater, anyone?

[George Riddle]

Has anyone built any solar space heaters like the tin can type and if so how has it worked for you? I know it only works in the sun but just wanting to see if it has been done here in the great state.

George

[schneidler]

solar space heater

Has anyone built any solar space heaters like the tin can type and if so how has it worked for you? I know it only works in the sun but just wanting to see if it has been done here in the great state.

George

I've had the same question for a couple of years now. I've seen this video from Nome which shows a 44 degree gain but other than that haven't heard anything about how they work in AK. I'm interested in building one myself but wish I heard some feedback from others in a cold climate before taking the plunge. You can buy them ready made but they are not cheap. I hate to spend that kind of $$ without knowing how they work in AK, and when I could make something at least 1/2 as effective for about 1/20th the money. I'm interested in mounting them on a conex I own that I use as a garage for my jeep. Free heat would make it easier to start and nicer to work in there. I live in old Kasigluk, in the YK Delta area.

If anyone has any experience with these we would sure appreciate it if you could chime in here. Thanks!

[greenmachine]

posting so i will see future updates, a workshop / garage seems like the perfect application for this, just to take some of the chill off. The cursory info i've seen says that in colder temps it will work more efficiently, ie a greater temp difference, but just how much of a difference it can make at -40? not sure. building a workshop in the summer though and planning a large one for the roof.

[Music Man]

Since these units have to be in the sun to work efficiently, slap on some solar panels to run the fans to distribute the heat.