Solar Thermal DIY Radiator/Pet Heater HELP!

[jrytlews]

Hi All. I am new to this site and searching the web for ideas on how to provide heat durring the winter for my outdoor cats. I live in Michigan and have a detached garage where the cats stay. My thoughts are to build a homemade solar radiator which could also be used to help heat the pool during the summer.

I am big into recycling and have seen many solar hot air heaters made from cans but the garage has no insulation so I want to create a baseboard style raditor that the cats can sleep on to take the chill out. I like the Thermosyphon closed loop system because of no pump being required, but with shade from the house and poolbarn it looks like the roof is the best place for maximum sun. The west side of the garage is obstruction free but wont get sun until 11am. I will take a few pictures of the garage/house/pollbarn set up and upload them soon.

I am looking for adivce and ideas from anyone who has created something like this before.

Thanks,
Jake

[russ]

Hi Jake - Welcome to Solar Panel Talk!

Maybe you make a warm water storage tank their bed can be on - seems the simplest - especially if you can use a thermosiphon type.

[jrytlews]

Well with the thermosyphon doesnt the solar collector have to be lower than the heater/radiator for it to work? The best place for the most sunlight is on the roof of the pollbarn, which has a low slope roof and is right next to the garage. We built a second story inside the garage and there is a window that you can open and basically walk right out onto the roof of the pollbarn.

The cats sleep on the first story so would have to pipe it through the window and then down the wall. Also I want to make this from scratch and use materials around the house as much as possible.

Also if the sun isnt out or the early morning when its been 14 hours since the sun went down, wont it work in reverse and actally take heat from the cats?

[Mike90250]

... Also if the sun isnt out or the early morning when its been 14 hours since the sun went down, wont it work in reverse and actally take heat from the cats?

Ah Ha ! Now I know how I will heat the house, cat power. And it will solve the stray/orphan cat problem.

[russ]

Well with the thermosyphon doesnt the solar collector have to be lower than the heater/radiator for it to work? The best place for the most sunlight is on the roof of the pollbarn, which has a low slope roof and is right next to the garage. We built a second story inside the garage and there is a window that you can open and basically walk right out onto the roof of the pollbarn.

The cats sleep on the first story so would have to pipe it through the window and then down the wall. Also I want to make this from scratch and use materials around the house as much as possible.

Also if the sun isnt out or the early morning when its been 14 hours since the sun went down, wont it work in reverse and actally take heat from the cats?

The one tank is above the panels - I was talking about a separate storage tank. If it starts to take heat from the cats they will move quick enough - that is the case with any ststem unless there is auxillary gas or whatever.

[jrytlews]

No If you have the solar collector on the roof and the radiator 15 Feet below at ground level will the thermosyphon work or will you need a pump? I havent seen a pumpless system for a setup like that.

[Mike90250]

If you have the solar collector on the roof and the
radiator 15 Feet below at ground level will the thermosyphon work...

You need a pump I belive, or the collector just stagnates.

[russ]

For a thermosiphon arrangement check the wiki - believe they have an illustration. One tank is above the panels in all systems I have seen.

You can have more than one tank in the system

[LucMan]

Forget thermosyphon in Michigan everything would freeze. You need either a glycol or drainback system. Either one requires pumps. Let's look at this, 4hrs tops of sunlight during the winter, not a lot of BTU's available with a low sun angle. That leaves you with 20 hrs a day with little or no sun, not really worth any investment.
Best thing is 3-4 inches of straw inside an insulated box, that should keep them warm even at night when there won't be any sun.

[jrytlews]

First sun in weeks!

Well this is the most mild winter in years and so far its been in the 40's most days this December. Finally got some sunshine and it feels great. Giving up on the solar radiator for now but have been building a solar furnace with pop cans for a south facing window in the house. Merry Christmas

[johnnybrown786]

Hello, there!!! Seeking advice on using solar panel for heating purpose. I am using 1kw solar panel for heating purpose but it takes too much time in heating water. It

[russ]

[QUOTE=johnnybrown786;40018]Hello, there!!! Seeking advice on using solar panel for heating purpose. I am using 1kw solar panel for heating purpose but it takes too much time in heating water. It

[Mike90250]

[QUOTE=johnnybrown786;40018]...It

[tandrews]

Cats are arguably quite skilled at seeking infrared sources.
Build it and they will find it on whatever floor.

Any vertical differential will generate thermosiphon, and a check valve (flapper or other low energy type) will avoid reverse siphon in the non generating hours.
something like this:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/OGONTZ-CONTROLS-CO-VALVE-300-PSI-1-2-CTV-180-BDB-/150750407149?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23196ca9ed

Would function as a check valve in the hot upside line and avoid stagnation as well.

An insulated top tank with a cat house hat would delay heat loss long enough to be most welcome by your furry guardians.
Drop the return line below the output line to allow thermosiphon to initiate at the panel.

If your top tank is isolated from the heat loop (baking on top of an old baseboard rad length<s> maybe) you would then have a hot water source in the barn for summer.