Open Source Maslow Solar Collector

Projects
41

According to this http://www.plasticgenius.com/2011/05/infrared-and-ultraviolet-transmission.html?m=1 acrylic (a.k.a. Plexiglas) is opaque to IR at thicknesses of 1/8" or greater, while polycarbonate (Lexan, Macrolon) is transparent to IR.

Acrylic is cheaper, but more brittle. It will crack if hit hard enough or under many machining operations. Polycarbonate is more fun to work with, in that it can be bent, sawn, sanded, etc and not crack, but if it doesnrt do what we want, maybe not an option.

If we really want polycarbonate, I wonder if thereis a film that could be applied to the inside surface to block IR escape.

1 Like
42

FWIW, back when I researched diy windscreens for a KZ650 fairing they recommended impact resistant acrylic rather than polycarbonate due to PCs willingness to absorb moisture and yellowing. Heat might be a problem with sagging and plastic breakdown.

The big box store sells translucent panels that should work for solar collectors, including the ones that look like clearish cardboard.

43

Interesting concept. The roofing panels seem to be defacto-standard when it comes to DIY solar panels, and greenhouses. But if there’s a film to apply, it would be interesting to see how it affects performance.

44

Over the weekend I started thinking about how to best install 1/2 piping through the collector. Whether pex or a flexible copper (which is far better for performance) a person could, maybe, use these wishbone pieces to help turn and hold the piping in place, then 1’ sections of some sort of aluminum heat collecting fins could be added.

I should note, the idea behind doing a serpentine layout rather than multiple pipes in a grid, is for simplicity. One pipe means no joints or connections to worry about inside the collector.

collector 03-
collector 03-.jpg1632×928 501 KB

Here’s the sketchup file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-ZcXNFKzjU9emNrY1ZhX1ZPR3M

1 Like
45

for what it’s worth, this is the material I’ve designed those end pieces for:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suntuf-26-in-x-8-ft-Polycarbonate-Corrugated-Roof-Panel-in-White-101890/100087758

It’s a sun stable and relatively long life material that you’ll find most people use (check BuiltItSolar).
I’m not sure what the life expectancy is, but since it’s designed for roofs and walls it should work fine for quite a while.

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46

A quick Google search show that polycarbonate is a common material for greenhouses. Don’t know about the IR transmisitivity (is that a word?) but it seems like most folks aren’t worried about it.

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47

Nice to see other OnShape Users here. +1
Is there already a tab dedicated to machining using OS?

48

no, and the video that was made of how to use onshape with the maslow exports
sketches and then uses makercam to produce the g-code

we really need to have someone make a video of how to use onshape to model
something and then kiri:moto to produce the g-code.

3 Likes
49

Since I am a webvideo creator myself: What needs to be covered? A specific part (refernce in the code)? I may not be the fittest in OnShape, but eager to help :slight_smile:

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50

That software that Hannah used is down. I had to do a search for either an update or a different conversion program. I’ll have to look and see if I can find it again.

51

Just a simple, make a project, produce the g-code, cut it on the maslow using
onshape, kiri:moto, and the maslow, without using any other tools

(probably need to show how to add kiri:moto to an onshape project)

nothing fancy, pick one of the projects that people have liked (a sword, the
jewlery hanger, etc) and show the full workflow.

5 Likes
52

@dlang I am not an owner of a Maslow yet, so either someone else does it or you‘ll have to wait until June:\

Edit: maybe this video is already enough to get the heads around it

1 Like