Do It Yourself Solar Systems

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 13, 2008 at 3:17am

Hi,
Please remember that if you plan on building DIY solar hot water or hot air collectors start looking for discarded large sliding glass patio doors. They must be the tempered glass. The doors must be disassembled carefully and the glass cleaned and stored safely. The collector box frame will be made from treated lumber, nominal 6 inch wide decking. The back cover can be galvanized sheet metal, Aluminum, or pressure treated plywood. The insulation will be 1 inch polyisocyanurate foil covered 800 degrees F rated foam for the back and sides inside the collector box.. This should give you a heads up on salvaging some of the construction materials. This box will be used for both hot water and hot air collector boxes. You are going to need specific details on fastening the double glass covers down or the heat will shatter them. Each glass has to be able to move separately to avoid shattering from heat expansion. This collector will make steam. It is possible to power a steam powered water pump with this type collector. I published free plans for that pump years ago under the title "Barrett Steam Water Pump" , but no one seemed interested at the time. I was amazed at the lack of response.
We hope to get enough interest to start a video soon.
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Mike on September 14, 2008 at 8:18pm

Howdy Walt
Its great that you are sharing your expertise in the solar heating and hot water arena.Im all ears and eyes.Ive got a 7 acre property in College Station with 2 homes a large swimming pool and a pond full of fish that I want to completely turn into a model for as many alternative systems as possible.I built this place with as many passive features as I could but I want to make this property a place for folks to visit and experience what kind of alternative technology is available.I rent the place out as a vacation rental and plan to greenovate as fast as possible.I want to be a showcase of green technology where folks can actually spend a couple days living the green life!!!

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 15, 2008 at 4:58pm

Hi Mike,
That is a great idea! We are doing the same thing with our off the power grid micro home.
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Andreea Rodman on September 27, 2008 at 8:02pm

Sign me up...where and how can I get one!! I am a big believer in personal responsibility. I am all about talking to the politicians but I don't actually believe they listen. But I still keep on trying anyhow! I do believe, however, we can accomplish more by doing individually and spreading the message to other individuals like ourselves. Last count there are more of us "little people" than there is of them. Get'er done...as another Texan would say! :) Live in the Austin area and would love to help.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 28, 2008 at 8:39am

Hi Andreea,
Thanks for responding. Unfortunately, the way this web site is laid out I can't tell what it is you want to sign up for or get. Would you please elaborate a bit more so I can help you?
I certainly do agree with your outlook. We can never depend on anyone but ourselves.
Thanks, and happy to be of service,
Walt Barrett

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 28, 2008 at 8:55am

Good Morning!
I have decided that as soon as this rainy weather breaks I will start to film the DIY solar hot water collector construction video in segments, in my so called "spare time." As promised, it will be totally free.
I will film the entire process and then filter it down to show each step and how it is accomplished.
When the first segment is posted I will ask you to please tell your friends as this is a lot of work and I want the most people to get the benefit of it. It will be on my pickens site and on http://www.youtube.com/user/chinadepot. I hope to start Monday 9-29-08
Thanks for your interest.
Walt

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Permalink Reply by cynthia singleton on September 28, 2008 at 7:02pm

If you develop the video we will build it. We are currently making the plans and collecting the materials to make a super-heat grabber for the colder part of our home. We grow castor bean plants around the home to create shade since we don't have trees. They grow fast, do the job and are cleaned up in one day, unlike trees. But, they don't shade the roof. The radiant heat barrier helps there.

Please, please make such a video. Every day I am aware of the need. All summer long I collect water from rinsing foods and such to water our plants outside.

Could you also develop an easy way to use gray water from the kitchen sink? We waste so much and our summers are so harsh. It is such a burden. I wanted to grow a vegetable garden but the droughts are too harsh here and our water bill was $100 extra in one month. It was very discouraging, like, it doesn't do any good to water. I already mulch and use soaker hoses.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 29, 2008 at 4:09am

Good morning Cynthia!
DIY solar
I just loaded up a short solar energy video on my page.
This week we plan to start making the DIY solar hot water heating collector. This is just a short introduction for the members that are not at all familiar with the pieces and parts. This is almost the least complicated system of all thew solar water heaters. If you learn the basics first, the more complicated stuff comes easier later on. I promise not to use any technobabble.
Thanks
Walt

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Permalink Reply by richb01 on September 29, 2008 at 9:21pm

I would definitely be interested! Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Luke on October 1, 2008 at 3:06pm

Hello Walt

I would love any information on solar tech that you have. I live in Austin Texas and want to learn more and promote it here. Any information you may have about solar tech. that is practicle in neighborhoods would also be appreciated.

Thanks
Luke

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on October 1, 2008 at 7:51pm

Hi Luke,
There is much more info coming.
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Shaw on October 2, 2008 at 7:26pm

In 1979, I built my own solar hot water heater, and it worked VERY well. At the time, there was a tax credit that helped defray some of the cost. I ran it through my existing electric hot water heater as a pre-heater. For at least 4 months out of the year, I was able to turn off my electric hot water heater and still have plenty of solar-heated water. Since I am not all that handy around the home, it was quite a feat. If someone like me can do it, so can anyone else. However, I will warn you that it is NOT an easy project. You have to do your homework and learn the basics of plumbing. You also have to plan well.

For do-it-yourselfers, alternate energy projects are expensive to pay for, and it takes quite a bit of time for the installation to pay for itself. This needs to be considered before embarking on such an effort. If you are passionate about alternate energy, it is all worth the satisfaction of accomplishment.

Aside from beefing up the insulation in your home and buying efficient A/C and appliances, solar hot water systems offer THE best bang for the buck.

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