Free heat! (well almost, gotta run the fan)

[Ironhunter]

With the changing weather I thought i'd show off my pop can heater, been getting free heat for 3 winters now 289 cans and a bathroom fan

[happyscraper]

I would like to know more about how it works.

[Ironhunter]

Cut the top off the cans with a can opener, drill three 1/2" holes in the bottom of each can with a step drill, using high temp caulk glue them together 17 per stack for 17 stacks (mine is on a 4x8 sheet of insulated plywood.. the bigger it is the more heat it gives off) drill holes smaller than the cans in 2 boards to create manifolds for the top and bottom areas, cover with acrylic sheet after mounting a snap thermostat in the top manifold (mine turns on at 125 degrees and off at 90 degrees) and wire it to run the fan (mine is on the inlet side (bottom manifold) in the back of my sons bedroom closet. The outlet side is in my bedroom (just a white dryer vent with the flap (keeps it from reverse cycling at night when it is cold) my thermometer in the top manifold only goes to 165 degrees and it gets hotter than that every day (it just reads "HI" after 165) if the sun is shining it will run constantly from 9 am to 5 pm. In the winter my bedroom is usually around 80 degrees (I use a fan to blow it down the hall as I live in a ranch house) and the furnace in my house does NOT run till evening. (there are youtube vids on this all over) some build a small one then say it didn't work..um duh.. If you have questions feel free to ask, I am VERY happy with mine, cut my LP bill by 1/3..

[Bear]

That's really cool, Iron

[Phantoms001]

That really is a great idea.... My first thought to improve it would be buy a solar panel, 12v battery, and 12v fan. Then you would not have to pay for the fan to run.

[NatBrnCO]

My first thought was 289 cans are going to pay my electric bill next month. But maybe I will try it, got two unused south facing bedrooms.

[ginofrater]

Thanks for sharing.

[Jvcr1]

I remember seeing something of this sort a few years back, ...just can't seem to locate the links for it, ...was someone in Newfoundland was making some of these to sell.
Think he was using something like 240 cans or maybe more, ...thought it was a cool concept. Never did get around to trying it out, Nice to see someone make their own and give it a whirl. The concept looks like a nice way to supplement heat during the daytime, everybit helps nowadays. And Phantasm's idea for the solar powered fan would probably make a fine addition too.

[Mechanic688]

Tons of energy saving info here of all sorts. A lot of do-it-yourself stuff here.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/renew...#axzz2i2TrCpEe

[Ironhunter]

I was going to use the solar fan route too but I wanted +100 cfm and couldn't find a solar one so I went with the bathroom fan.

[Phantoms001]

I was going to use the solar fan route too but I wanted +100 cfm and couldn't find a solar one so I went with the bathroom fan.

You just have to look..............

Bilge Blower Flange Mount 100 CFM 12 Volt D336481 | eBay

New 3" 12V in Line Blower Replace Shurflo Yellowtail 130CFM 12 Volts V Inline | eBay

Took all of 15 seconds to find.....

[Phantoms001]

You just have to look..............

Bilge Blower Flange Mount 100 CFM 12 Volt D336481 | eBay

New 3" 12V in Line Blower Replace Shurflo Yellowtail 130CFM 12 Volts V Inline | eBay

Took all of 15 seconds to find.....

A few other seconds looking....

3" Marine Electric in Line Bilge Blower for Boat RVs 12V 120 CFM White 3 Inch | eBay

4" Marine Electric in Line Bilge Blower for Boat RVs 12V 235 CFM White Four Inch | eBay

Marine Boat 12V Electric in Line Bilge Air Blower 130CFM 3" | eBay

It looks like you can easily find a blower for under 25.00.....

[Ironhunter]

Well, apparently they aren't too hard to find, feel free to put one on yours.

[beardo]

Thanks for the motivation, I am planning on experimenting with passive solar on some of my out building but I am currently obsessed with some bio fuel projects. This post may have given me the motivation to get it in gear. Heated buildings are nice here in South Dakota.

[happyscraper]

That would be good to have in a work shop that doesn't have heat.

[Ironhunter]

That is where you see a lot of these since some are only out in it in the daytime anyway Thanks for all the replys.

[BRASSCATCHER]

almost free garage heat – just drink a lot of soda | Hemmings Daily

Good description and pictures as well. Also after the tutorial he also built an updated version. Good stuff thank you Ironhunter.

[Bear]

are they soda cans, or tin cans?

[BRASSCATCHER]

Just says soda.... Can use beer cans too so Sirs wont be left out.

[erewen]

Interesting. Following various links I came to this one, which might be worth a build for me
Solar Heater