Author Topic: Solar Kiln (Read 4617 times)

Gary_B · « **on:** November 05, 2004, 04:33:51 pm »

Lately I have been thinking about building a solar kiln, due to the fact seems like everyone wants kiln dried hard wood, no matter how long its been air drying. Id like to get some ideas from the forum, the best route to go, I am not looking for large production, 500- 1200 bdft would be just fine, perferably solar powered, instead of a dryer. Any comments or ideas would be welcome
Thank you
Gary

DanG · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2004, 07:28:50 am »

Gary, there are lots of folks here that have solar kilns, so I'm sure some of them will be along with their advice.

I'm just starting to work on one, myself. Mine will be an oddball, though, just like everything else I do.

I am trying to convert my old 5-stall horse trailer into a kiln. I was gonna just stick a wood burner in it to cook off some pine, but decided to make it solar instead. Basically, I'm building a greenhouse over it for the solar chamber, and will put the wood inside the trailer. I'll use the existing vents to circulate the air. I'm using the trailer, temporarily, for a couple of reasons. Right now, I have no place to put it where it is sunny all year-round. Also, there are some big changes coming for our place in the next couple of years, so I'll just keep the kiln portable till we get things stabilized, then build a permanent facility.

My design is totally experimental, so I'm using the cheapest materials possible to start with. I'm sure I'll have to modify it, and will use better stuff if and when I get it working. I'm starting out with 4 mil plastic on the wood-framed "greenhouse", and roofing felt to make the baffles and close off the undesired openings. One of the main goals of the project is to not modify the trailer to the point that it can't become just a horse trailer again.

Gary_B · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2004, 12:19:04 pm »

Dan seems like you have a game plan with that horse trailer,, Ive looked at some of the solar kilns on the web, and must admit they have some good designs, but the cost, now thats another thing. Some recommend 2x4 framing with a layer of 3/4 plywood on both sides, with the price of plywood these days, it could get quite exspenive. 2x6 floor framing along with plywood on both sides. Im sure if you did invest, you would be really satisfied. But Im looking for a alternate route, Id like to find a old refrigerator truck, and go from there, along with a sawzall , thank you for your reply.

WH_Conley · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2004, 02:13:57 pm »

I am going to try something along the same lines. Reefer box or similar in a hill, dome of plastic running down hill, black plastic, basically a collector, going into the chamber. Really going to have to some playing with the venting. Don't know if it will work or not, should get pretty hot on a sunny day and letting the wood relax at night. Can't find anything anywhere even close to what I am thinking. Have to play with charge size and all the other variables. Needless to say I am starting out with low grade and basically build a scale model. If it works I have about ten acres of hillside with a flat at the top. Perfect exposure. Let' experiment guys.

Gary_B · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2004, 04:02:00 pm »

Sounds like we are off to a good start, trying to come up with a economical kiln. Alot of the web sites refer to using plywood, I was wondering if you could use lumber off of the mill, like 1x6's air dried.

DanG · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2004, 04:43:22 pm »

Don't see why not, Gary. You're supposed to use some sort of insulation anyway, so you could control air leakage with that. I don't see why you would need any more than it takes to hold the DanG thing together.

I was thinking you could just build a hoop-style greenhouse and put an insulated chamber inside for the wood. I know for a fact it will get hotter than a.....well, it'll get warm.

That ol' horse trailer of mine is painted black

anyway. I put a thermometer inside the other day when it was sitting out in the sun. Moved the thermometer around a bit and found the average temp to be 110 inside, while the outside air was 78. Looks like I could just put the boards in and run a small fan, and do better than air drying. I decided to go with the "greenhouse" design to speed things up. So far, I have $25 in materials, and I'll have to buy a couple of $10 box fans. That oughta about do it for cost on this first version.

Carl_B · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2004, 05:31:41 pm »

Gary there is know reason that you could not saw out a lot of the materal that you need to build a solar kiln. When I built mine plywood was runniing $8.00 a sheet so we used it on the inside and bottom. We saw out all of the framing materal . Howabout tounge and grove boards on the inside and rough saw siding. Good luck. Carl.

DanG · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2004, 12:24:32 pm »

Did a little work on the horse trailer kiln this morn.

Got my pattern frame built and tried it for fit. Just gotta make 4 more like it and stretch some plastic.

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2004, 02:56:44 pm »

Looks more like a "Tanning Saloon" for them horses.

Hope they don't get "overdone" in there.

How ya plannin on insulatin the trailer??? Gonna put the insulation inside the trailer or outside, on the sides

DanG · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2004, 09:20:01 pm »

No insulation on this first phase. Just trying to see how hot I can get it. Haven't concluded yet what I'll use in the next version. Thinking about that foil-backed bubble wrap stuff, or Blue Board. Just gonna cook some air-dried pine to kill bugs and set pitch, so the stability of an insulated chamber shouldn't be all that important. If the design seems to be working ok, I'll probably upgrade to better materials and try to do some of that oak from Moultrie.

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2004, 03:34:37 am »

We used to use that foil-backed, on both sides, ½" yeller stuff, like ya get a Home Depot. It stands heat REAL well. Pretty durable, too.

DanG · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2004, 07:25:28 am »

You talking about Celotex? I'm considering that, too. It's real easy to work with, too.

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2004, 02:30:23 pm »

Polyisocyanurate. Whew, that was tough

Brand name might be Celotex

Gary_B · « **Reply #13 on:** November 11, 2004, 03:03:12 pm »

That seems like a good route to go, plus alot of savings, I only wished I had that nice florida sunshine up here in Ohio, dry those cherry boards out alot faster. I looked at the kiln by Woodmizer, if I only had a couple thousand dollars laying around....make life so much easier, but then I wouldnt be using my head to come up with a low cost idea. Thanks for all the advice, Im going to throw something together pretty soon, I work construction, so I am always on the lookout for anything that is being torn out, that I can recylce,immediately, if not you wouldnt be able to get in the yard.

Junior437t · « **Reply #14 on:** November 11, 2004, 05:17:31 pm »

Here is a link to a pretty good design for a kiln. I built one similar to this a few years ago and used no insulation and only plastic sheeting for the walls. It worked pretty well. We dried 6"x10" hemlock logs in it. We didn't have access to a moisture meter, but 90 days after we put the logs in, the logs seemed to be dry enough to use. When we would saw the logs to square the ends, we only had wet spots about 1/2" in diameter. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/8756/design.html

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #15 on:** November 11, 2004, 05:34:40 pm »

Gary, bring them Cherry boards down and I will run 'em through my solar kiln.

DanG · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2004, 05:52:19 pm »

Junior, that Va-Tech design is a good one. Mine isn't all that different, but I can hook it to the truck and move it around.

I haven't been able to get any input on the volume of the solar chamber. Everybody seems to be only interested in the sq footage of the collector, but I figger the volume has to play a part.

I'm unsure if I should cover both sides with clear plastic, or just one side. My frames use a king post, so I could put an insulated wall down the middle, or just use insulated material for one side of the roof.

Such and stuff as this is why I'm doing this first version cheap and quick. I can make changes as it develops itself.

Captain · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2004, 03:16:57 am »

I'm watchin'ya, Dan, I'm watchin'ya....

Captain

DanG · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2004, 04:53:44 am »

Better find a comfy spot to watch from, Craig. At the rate I work, this could take a while.

scottr · « **Reply #19 on:** November 20, 2004, 11:13:59 am »

Gary and Dan , you guys might get some ideas from the Ohioan that built the kiln in this article. http://www.motherearthnews.com/arc/575/ Scott

DanG · « **Reply #20 on:** November 29, 2004, 10:07:42 pm »

Here's a couple of shots of the progress made on the kiln this morning.

Just a few purlins and we can stretch some plastic. I'll cover the gable ends and back door with Celotex and roofing felt. Same for all the other gaps. If the rain let's us, we'll have some wood in this thing by the weekend.

etat · « **Reply #21 on:** November 29, 2004, 10:35:28 pm »

I think it's GREAT.

The 'DanG' 'One of a Kind' 'Fully Mobile and Portable' 'American Made' "Horse Trailer Wood Drying Solar Kiln'

GF · « **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2004, 11:26:45 am »

Bet it could make some good beef jerky in there also.

DanG · « **Reply #23 on:** November 30, 2004, 07:48:51 pm »

I gotta sweep out the horse jerky, first.

GF · « **Reply #24 on:** December 01, 2004, 11:23:25 am »

DanG
You sure that roof on that trailer hasnt been leaking water and this was your way of fixing it?

DanG · « **Reply #25 on:** December 01, 2004, 05:19:29 pm »

GF, ya know the airlines calculate thing by the "seat mile." Using that criteria, this ol' trailer has about 4 million "hoof miles" on it. There's been many a leak taken in it. The roof is about the only thing that ain't got no holes rusted into it.

rebocardo · « **Reply #26 on:** December 02, 2004, 04:04:55 pm »

The real beauty of your kiln Dang is it probably runs circles around building codes and such because it is mobile and they can't even call it a shed to complain!

I could see bringing it some place, load a customer's wood, dry it, bring it back, have them unload it, and charge them .50 a board foot for having it in the sun

DanG · « **Reply #27 on:** December 02, 2004, 05:21:52 pm »

Rebo, you must have goodness in your heart to see "beauty" in that thing.

Seeing as it's made from 1x2s and visqueen, taking it on the road probbly ain't a option. Shucks, I just hope it works! We got the gables closed up with Celotex and tar paper, and figgered how to close up the back-end. Had planned to stretch the plastic today, but came up with some sawing to do, instead. Maybe we can work on it tomorrow.

VA-Sawyer · « **Reply #28 on:** December 02, 2004, 06:37:30 pm »

Now you just wait one DanG minute there Dan. I think rebocardo had a pretty good idea. Think about how they do it with those big campers that slide into the pickup bed. You just put the truck where you want the camper to stay and then you jack down the legs. Undo a couple of clamps and SHAZAM ! You drive the pickup away leaving the camper. Now use the same idea on your kiln. When you want to pickup/deliver the wood, you just put down some legs and leave the plastic and frame behind. When you get back from your road trip you just ease the trailer back under the frame. Pick up the legs and SHAZAM it's a kiln again. No sense in letting the customer know how easy it is, or they won't want to pay that high price Kiln Service bill.

VA-Sawyer

DanG · « **Reply #29 on:** December 03, 2004, 07:59:08 am »

I've thought of doing something similar to that. Why not build the drying chamber on a trailer, then just pull it up beside a solar collector and plug in a couple of flexible ducts? You could have several trailers and offload the mill directly into them, then plug'em in when they're full. Sure would cut down on lumber handling.

OneWithWood · « **Reply #30 on:** December 03, 2004, 09:14:22 am »

but then what would you do with all your spare time?

The above represents in depth planning mode

DanG · « **Reply #31 on:** December 03, 2004, 09:30:18 am »

AWW OWW, I quit drinking beer. Quit last night when I fell asleep in my chair.

I probbly won't have another one till the sun goes down.

OneWithWood · « **Reply #32 on:** December 07, 2004, 07:54:45 am »

All the medical types are now touting the benefits of drinking two beers or two glasses of wine a day.

Of course the small print says more than two is not beneficial and can be counter-productive.
I missed any mention as to the size of the glass

WH_Conley · « **Reply #33 on:** December 07, 2004, 02:17:07 pm »

I have heard no more than three fingers of liquor a day to.
Figure I'll take mine in # 3 wash tub.

Gary_B · « **Reply #34 on:** December 10, 2004, 03:45:32 am »

Dan,
I think we are all ready for some more pictures, you have got it going now.

DanG · « **Reply #35 on:** December 10, 2004, 09:09:18 pm »

Alas, Gary, there ain't been much more progress on the kiln. We're hoping to get back on it this coming week. I did get the insulating board, and got some tar paper tacked up, but nuthin worth takin a pitcher of. :-/

beav · « **Reply #36 on:** December 24, 2004, 06:00:47 pm »

Dang- what is "visqueen" ? Some kind of special solar plastic?
Merry Christmas, sorry to see you are gettin' yer buttts froze off.

james · « **Reply #37 on:** December 24, 2004, 06:28:40 pm »

Beav
visqueen is clear plastic comes in rolls at the lumber or hardware stores various sizes and weights usally 3 or 6 mills thick we use it on flat bed trucks to keep the load dry under the tarps:)

james

Gary_B · « **Reply #38 on:** December 25, 2004, 04:54:16 pm »

Well my newest thought so far with the future solar kiln, is providing some extra heat, up here in Ohio we don't get all that sun like our friends down south. When I do evenually get around to building mine, I have been considering using a coal stove to add some heat, coal up here is really cheap and it usally last for over a day, before adding more, if I can hook my fans up to a thermostat, that would come on around 125 degrees, to remove the moisture, I might have something, strictly experimental. May everyone have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Larry · « **Reply #39 on:** December 28, 2004, 02:30:46 pm »

Re-loaded the solar kiln today and thought I would share my results on this last load. Loaded it up around the first of September with green off the saw lumber. I think the wood was dry middle of November but didn’t have any where to go with it so I just turned off the fan.

150 bf 8/4 basswood - 9%
90 bf 4/4 honey locust - 6%
350 bf 4/4 red oak - 7%
300 bf 4/4 white oak - 9%

Think I was lucky that I didn’t have any sticker stain on the basswood....I was expecting some.

Bright check free red oak.

sawwood · « **Reply #40 on:** December 28, 2004, 05:56:33 pm »

Nice looking Oak Larry. How is your DH Kiln doing ?
i am trying to git JR to build a kiln but he doesn't have
elect in the barn so may have to see what outher ways
to run the fans, Do you think it would be to much cost
to run a generator all day. Wouldn't need it at night.

Sawwood

Gary_B · « **Reply #41 on:** December 28, 2004, 07:03:15 pm »

Looks like that kiln is working good Larry, Id be pleased with those results, I sawed some locust earlier this fall and was surprised how pretty the grain is, I also made some 6x6 s for a building, the supports will be there when the building is gone

Gary_B · « **Reply #42 on:** January 01, 2005, 04:44:54 pm »

Ive been going to a lot of web sites lately studying up on that kiln, I want to build soon, seems like the more I look, the more confused of which route Id like to go,

I ve read about solar power, dehumitifyers, heaters , vacum, I didnt know it was so many ways to dry a board, theres some nice systems out there, if only I had about 5000.00, but owell , I guess I will have to stick with the sun, quite a bit cheaper, and time consuming

logosoluser · « **Reply #43 on:** January 12, 2005, 06:39:27 am »

I am working on a new solar kiln right now. I am an agriculture instructor and we are doing it as a shop project. Everything is working out pretty good right now. One question I have is when I start drying lumber in here can I stack my lumber edge to edge or do I have to leave the "chimleys" that I use air drying. I know I will have to leave my stickers in, but I was wondering if edge to edge worked inside the kiln. Maybe I can get my dig camera working and take some pics when we get finished.

Gary_B · « **Reply #44 on:** January 12, 2005, 03:14:53 pm »

Id say you might still want the chimneys so another way for the moisture to exit, if you could get that camera going, how about taking some pictures as you build the kiln. And maybe a material list,, sounds like a good project for the students.

DanG · « **Reply #45 on:** January 13, 2005, 06:04:20 pm »

Good question, Logosoluser! I've always stacked edge to edge, but that's just the way I understood it should be done. Some of that could have just been an assumption on my part. I'm sure some folks that really know will weigh in here soon.

Carl_B · « **Reply #46 on:** January 15, 2005, 04:40:31 pm »

Logosoluser stack your lumber tight or edge to edge with stickers 3/4 to 1 inch between each layer. In a solar kiln you are using the fans to circulate the air . The fans move the air between the layers and from the front to the back. Good luck with your kiln I have been using mine for close to 2 years only wish that I would have built it bigger.

Gary_B · « **Reply #47 on:** January 15, 2005, 06:54:35 pm »

Carl B
Can you give me and idea of how your kiln is set up? Do you use any type of Dehumidifter, or just solar and fans

Carl_B · « **Reply #48 on:** January 16, 2005, 10:15:40 am »

Check this out for more imformation on my solar kiln. http://www.forestryforum.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=sawmill;action= display;num=1057887972;start=0

Carl_B · « **Reply #49 on:** January 16, 2005, 10:32:39 am »

Sorry about the last post try this one . http://www.forestryforum.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=drying;action=display;num=1075490400

Carl_B · « **Reply #50 on:** January 16, 2005, 02:12:28 pm »

This is the first post about my kiln.

http://www.forestryforum.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=sawmill;action=display;num=1057887972;start=0

DanG · « **Reply #51 on:** January 28, 2005, 08:02:04 pm »

Here, I hope, is the latest pic of the famous "horse trailer" kiln. Just gotta fix some sort of door in that opening in the rear, and seal up a few cracks.

Captain · « **Reply #52 on:** January 28, 2005, 08:41:56 pm »

I printed a picture of the DanGkiln29 as a warning of what I am going to do with the wife's trailer if it sits still much longer....

Captain.

DanG · « **Reply #53 on:** January 28, 2005, 08:56:10 pm »

Let me know how that works out for ya, Bucko.

pigman · « **Reply #54 on:** January 28, 2005, 11:37:37 pm »

DanG I like your kiln. I probably just wasted a bunch of money buying my DH unit.

I have a 32ft livestock trailer I could have made a BIG solar kiln out of.

Bob

leweee · « **Reply #55 on:** January 30, 2005, 04:32:54 pm »

Bob.... your signature slays me!

LMAO... Too Funny

pigman · « **Reply #56 on:** January 30, 2005, 11:10:03 pm »

leweee, I always have an endless supply of firewood.

I burn my mistakes.

Bob

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Author Topic: Solar Kiln (Read 4617 times)