solar hot box

[Jerry in MN]

Here's a solar hot box I made from an old grocery-store case. Currently I'm using it to dry small batches of firewood.



On a sunny day this time of year the temperature inside can easily reach 120 degrees above the outdoor temp. There's a small vent hole on top at the left end, near the back corner. Maybe another hole should be added down lower on the right side to let outside air in too.

The case itself didn't cost anything but I paid a small fee to have it loaded up, and I bought paint for the inside too. I spray painted the inside with flat black paint, but if I were to do this again I'd probably brush on exterior house paint instead. House paint would have cost less and I could have avoided the newspaper and masking tape that I used to prevent overspray onto the glass.

[fishhead]

I was wondering if it might be possible to use something like this to heat the air I use in my pond aeration system.

[SolarGary]

Hi,
Very slick!

Looks like you might also be able to circulate the heated air to the building?

Gary

[Al. Countryboy]

You could also preheat water going into your house.

[WayneR]

Put a door on one end -lumber kiln

[Pelenaka]

Oh the possiblities ...

~~ pelenaka ~~

[wy_white_wolf]

Since he's using it to dry firewood I think the humidity might be too high to supplement the heat in the building. Might stick some starter plants in there this spring with the wood and have you own little greenhouse.

[Ross]

There are some similar units shown on this forum when we started; on the last page now or second to last. The fellow has it set up with thermostats and blows the hot air into his shop and house.