Satelite dish solar collector - Page 2 - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

HarveyH42 · 17th August 2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mramos1

HarveyH42. I am in Boynton, need some help. I can bring my 3x4 fresnel lens over. hehehe.. I have a couple 1x1 as well.

EDIT: They are in feet not inches.

Yeah, I've got a big one off an old TV, kind of thin plasic though. I've got the 12 inchers from overheads. I think the dish will be enough.

I have no need to heat the house with it, this is Florida and only gets chilly for a few days at a time. Worst is barely a week. Don't think we've had a freeze around this part of the state in 10 years or more. Did see some frost on a car last year though.

mramos1 · 17th August 2006, 08:29 PM

What are you going to do with the heat?

HarveyH42 · 17th August 2006, 09:48 PM

If its hot enough to boil water, a coffee maker. Hot enough for generating steam, maybe generate some electricity. Really hot, 460-470 degrees, melt pewter for figurines and stuff.

The tough part is figuring out how to conduct the heat from the focus, to the area behind the dish (probabably not such a good idea to spend much time in front). First I need to find out how much heat I can expect to collect, the decide what to do from there.

Oh, should ask. Anybody know if there is any restrictions on this sort of thing. I'm kind of in the flight path for the Orlando Airport. The seem to come by kind of low and slow, but not directly overhead.

mramos1 · 17th August 2006, 10:11 PM

HarveyH42. I thought you were in North Palm Beach..

My lens will go though a aluminum can or melt a penny in less that 15 seconds. More like 10.. And no airport complaints.

HarveyH42 · 17th August 2006, 10:30 PM

Nope, I live in Saint Cloud. Never thought to melt a beer can. Did some pennies with smaller lenses. Need to build a frame for the large one from the TV. Little concerned about starting fires though.

The reason I asked about the planes, pretty sure the dish will reflect very brightly, guess they'll be wearing sunglasses anyway, most everyone does around here...

mramos1 · 17th August 2006, 11:45 PM

You might make the news like the guys with the laser pointers awhile back. So you are right..

I have a PVC frame on mine and it will do zinc, lead in seconds.. Mark aluminum after time.. Goal was to melt Aluminum.. So I will probably be ebaying that soon

Marks256 · 18th August 2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

You might make the news like the guys with the laser pointers awhile back.

I didn't hear a bout this. Care to share?

Sig239 · 18th August 2006, 08:03 AM

The whole point of a parabolic dish is to focus the energy at the focal point. It WILL NOT affect the pilots unless the SOURCE of the light is at the focal point, and you point the dish at the plane (Just like a spotlight). I think you should do a lot more research before you play with that thing anymore. You are under estimating the power of a 10 ft dish by a lot. In the current condition (mesh) it will not achieve much. However, If you cover the inside of the dish with one (or more) of those mylar solar blankets you will have an extremly powerful solar collector. Don't even think about doing this out in the yard, even on an overcast day. In a garage would be best. Please be careful.

Marks256 · 18th August 2006, 10:29 PM

I am going to take this time to give off one VERY good reason to make this thing; food. Just think; You get hungry, but all your good food is in the freezer. So, instead of waiting 3 hours for it to unthaw, just stick it between the dish, and the collector! Sure, i don't think it would taste the best, but hey, it sure beats cold cereal!

mramos1 · 18th August 2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marks256

I didn't hear a bout this. Care to share?

Some guy was shooting a laser in the cockpit of planes at the airport. Tring to blind the pilots.

philba · 19th August 2006, 12:27 AM

actually, if you can generate that much heat, why not a steam turbine driving a generator? a couple of KW would probably put a good sized dent in your utility bill. the utilities have to buy your excess power. I don't know if a stirling engine would work with that but it's a possibility as well. more mundane, how about heat/preheat for your hot water tank.

Marks256 · 19th August 2006, 01:22 AM

Quote:

guy was shooting a laser in the cockpit of planes at the airport. Tring to blind the pilots.

What a dumb ass. How did he get caught? Sniper rifle?

mramos1 · 19th August 2006, 01:31 AM

They thought it was a sniper at first. Do not think the caught them, and they just stopped. Of course they started talking terrorists, etc.

So HarveyH might get a visit

Marks256 · 19th August 2006, 01:36 AM

Quote:

So HarveyH might get a visit

He He, and if his collector works, then he will have a nice pot of coffee ready for the FBI!

:cool:

mramos1 · 19th August 2006, 01:52 AM

I wound up with a large fresnel lens. But other than destruction, have not found a safe use for it. Going on Ebay soon. My kids love it. Concrete will explode with it.

Thought about heating a sterling (sp) engine (original thought), but this thing would melt it. It would not melt aluminum. But afraid to point it at the copper pipes on the water tank.

Off to look up steam turbine engine now I guess.

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17th August 2006, 08:29 PM	(permalink)
mramos1 Experienced Member	What are you going to do with the heat?

17th August 2006, 09:48 PM	(permalink)
HarveyH42 Experienced Member	If its hot enough to boil water, a coffee maker. Hot enough for generating steam, maybe generate some electricity. Really hot, 460-470 degrees, melt pewter for figurines and stuff. The tough part is figuring out how to conduct the heat from the focus, to the area behind the dish (probabably not such a good idea to spend much time in front). First I need to find out how much heat I can expect to collect, the decide what to do from there. Oh, should ask. Anybody know if there is any restrictions on this sort of thing. I'm kind of in the flight path for the Orlando Airport. The seem to come by kind of low and slow, but not directly overhead.

17th August 2006, 10:11 PM	(permalink)
mramos1 Experienced Member	HarveyH42. I thought you were in North Palm Beach.. My lens will go though a aluminum can or melt a penny in less that 15 seconds. More like 10.. And no airport complaints.

17th August 2006, 10:30 PM	(permalink)
HarveyH42 Experienced Member	Nope, I live in Saint Cloud. Never thought to melt a beer can. Did some pennies with smaller lenses. Need to build a frame for the large one from the TV. Little concerned about starting fires though. The reason I asked about the planes, pretty sure the dish will reflect very brightly, guess they'll be wearing sunglasses anyway, most everyone does around here...

17th August 2006, 11:45 PM	(permalink)
mramos1 Experienced Member	You might make the news like the guys with the laser pointers awhile back. So you are right.. I have a PVC frame on mine and it will do zinc, lead in seconds.. Mark aluminum after time.. Goal was to melt Aluminum.. So I will probably be ebaying that soon

18th August 2006, 08:03 AM	(permalink)
Sig239 Experienced Member	The whole point of a parabolic dish is to focus the energy at the focal point. It WILL NOT affect the pilots unless the SOURCE of the light is at the focal point, and you point the dish at the plane (Just like a spotlight). I think you should do a lot more research before you play with that thing anymore. You are under estimating the power of a 10 ft dish by a lot. In the current condition (mesh) it will not achieve much. However, If you cover the inside of the dish with one (or more) of those mylar solar blankets you will have an extremly powerful solar collector. Don't even think about doing this out in the yard, even on an overcast day. In a garage would be best. Please be careful.

18th August 2006, 10:29 PM	(permalink)
Marks256 Experienced Member	I am going to take this time to give off one VERY good reason to make this thing; food. Just think; You get hungry, but all your good food is in the freezer. So, instead of waiting 3 hours for it to unthaw, just stick it between the dish, and the collector! Sure, i don't think it would taste the best, but hey, it sure beats cold cereal!

19th August 2006, 12:27 AM	(permalink)
philba Experienced Member	actually, if you can generate that much heat, why not a steam turbine driving a generator? a couple of KW would probably put a good sized dent in your utility bill. the utilities have to buy your excess power. I don't know if a stirling engine would work with that but it's a possibility as well. more mundane, how about heat/preheat for your hot water tank.

19th August 2006, 01:31 AM	(permalink)
mramos1 Experienced Member	They thought it was a sniper at first. Do not think the caught them, and they just stopped. Of course they started talking terrorists, etc. So HarveyH might get a visit

19th August 2006, 01:52 AM	(permalink)
mramos1 Experienced Member	I wound up with a large fresnel lens. But other than destruction, have not found a safe use for it. Going on Ebay soon. My kids love it. Concrete will explode with it. Thought about heating a sterling (sp) engine (original thought), but this thing would melt it. It would not melt aluminum. But afraid to point it at the copper pipes on the water tank. Off to look up steam turbine engine now I guess.