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Thread: Pop Can down spout heater

  1. #1
    Senior Member aflineman's Avatar
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    Default Pop Can down spout heater

    I ran across this video while browsing utube. Kind of an interesting adaptation of an old concept. I don't have the space/time to build one at the moment, but it may be something to look into for next year at the work trailer.
    Thought? Has anyone done something like this? How did it work? I have had a water heater with a similar concept. Worked well and was very efficient. That was with a glycol solution and heat exchanger though. I wonder if that might be the better route to go..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cm-cbOWvSs


    Similar one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXN_1Kf18_I&NR=1

    Instead of pop cans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXN_1Kf18_I&NR=1
    Last edited by aflineman; 11-12-2010 at 03:09 PM.
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  2. #2
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    Pretty cool !

  3. #3

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    A guy at work makes Beer Can Solar Panels similar to this.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrzBsTe92uY
    They work really fine. He ran his prototype out in the parking lot last spring so I saw the temperature tests. He was pushing 165° steady out the top vent. On a good sunny day.

    He makes his with a small solar fan on them so no electricity needed. The trick is to baffle the cans as well as having flutes, no straight runs. You punch holes in the top instead of removing them completely, then offset the holes. You have to slow the air down as it rises through the black cans to get the temperatures way up there.

    All I gotta say is wash the cans really really good.
    And don't use materials that melt over 150°. LOL!
    Last edited by LowKey; 11-12-2010 at 11:49 PM.

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    reclinite automaton canid's Avatar
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    thanks for sharing that. i've got a dozen dozen things to build, but passive solar heating is on my list for various experimentation.
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    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    I could REALLY use one of these over winter since we don't have indoor heating. I might just try my hand at it. Gotta find someone to save cans for me though.
    220 is just unbelievable!
    I remember seeing somewhere, a young man made something similar with parts from the junkyard and provided heat for his home. I wonder if it could be adapted to be a water heater? Sort of like a coffee percolator works...
    Very interesting post AF. Thanks

  6. #6
    Senior Member aflineman's Avatar
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    Heating water is pretty much the same, just replace the soda cans with glycol filled pipes.
    http://www.solarpanelsplus.com/thermal-how-it-works/

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    I owned one of the glycol systems in the past. They are about the most efficient thing going in solar. I will have one for the main house in the next couple of years. Clear south facing roofs are perfect for this.
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  7. #7
    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    Sealing the holes in the roof is the only problem I have with that. Mount it on a post in the yard if possible. There is no sense compromising the integrity of your roof. If the head of a bolt / screw / nail is showing, it will leak eventually.

    Is glycol something a normal joe like me can make, or will I have to buy several gallons of antifreeze? (trying to see the investment/return).

  8. #8
    Senior Member aflineman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by your_comforting_company View Post
    Sealing the holes in the roof is the only problem I have with that. Mount it on a post in the yard if possible. There is no sense compromising the integrity of your roof. If the head of a bolt / screw / nail is showing, it will leak eventually.

    Is glycol something a normal joe like me can make, or will I have to buy several gallons of antifreeze? (trying to see the investment/return).
    It is a propylene glycol which is different from Etheline glycol which (IIRC) is what is used in cars.

    Some good info here on the different types of solar water heaters.

    http://windvolt.tripod.com/id27.htm


    I have head some good stuff about corn glycol, but have not seen any longer term (over 20 years) tests.
    http://www.solarpanelsplus.com/corn-glycol/
    Last edited by aflineman; 11-19-2010 at 03:35 PM.
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