How to Build a Solar Dryer
Materials
Materials
Frame
- 1.5 aluminium boards (1.22mx2.44m)
- 12 slotted angle bars (3cmx3cmx3m)
- 1 angle bar (2.5cmx2.5cmx6m)
Trays
- 4 angle bars (2cmx2cmx4m)
- 3 square bars (1cmx2.5cmx6m)
- 5.5 m2 mesh
- 1.22x1.22 PC ultra clear, corrugated plastic sheet
Other
- Nuts and bolts
- 4 tubes of black caulk
- Black paint
Step 1
Step 1
- Use a grinder to cut:
- 4 slotted angle bars 1.2m long
- 2 slotted angle bars 0.55m long
- 2 slotted angle bars 0.45m long
- Bolt together a square frame using the 1.2m slotted angle bars
- Secure the frame to the legs, 0.20m above the ground
Step 2
Step 2
- Use a grinder to cut
- 1 piece of aluminium board into a 1.2m x 1.2m square
- Place on the frame and bolt in place
- Secure with caulk
Step 3
Step 3
- Use a grinder to cut
- 10 slotted angle bars 1.2m long for supports for the trays
- Connecting each of the 4 corners, bolt the first tier of supports 0.05 cm above the base
- Connecting each of the 4 corners, bolt the second tier of supports 0.15m above the base
- Bolt in middle supports for the trays
- The first tier supports should each be 0.45m from the inside leg
- The second tier supports should each be 0.48m from the inside legs
Step 4
Step 4
- Use a grinder to cut
- 2 slotted angle bars 1.21 m long
- 2 slotted angles bars 1.20m long
- 4 pieces of aluminium board 1.2m x 0.03m
- Bolt the back legs and the front legs with the 1.21m bars on an angle
- Bolt the front and back legs straight with the 1.20 bars
- Bolt the aluminium board to cover the top of the slotted angle bars
Step 5
Step 5
- Use a grinder to cut
- 2 pieces of aluminium board into trapezoids 0.25 and 0.35m high on each side and 1.2m along the bottom edge and 1.21m along the top edge
- 1 piece of aluminium board 0.25m x 1.20m
- 1 piece of aluminium board 0.35m x 1.20m
- Bolt the trapezoidal pieces of aluminium board along the sides and caulk in place
- Bolt the front and back sides in place and caulk in place
- Drill 10 evenly spaced holes on the front side and 10 evenly spaces holes on the back for air flow using a 2cm drill bit
Step 6
Step 6
To make the cover
- Use a grinder to cut
- 4 angled bars 1.21 m long
- Weld the bars together into a square, adding brackets on the corners
- Make sure the metal frame fits over the edges of the drying box
- Caulk the plastic in place to make the top of the dryer
To make the trays
- Use a grinder to cut
- 4 square bars 1.14m long
- 2 square bars 0.45m long
- 2 square bars 0.48m long
- 4 angled bars (2cm x2cm) 1.14m long
- 2 angled bars (2cm x2cm) 0.45m long
- 2 angled bars (2cm x2cm) 0.48m long
- Weld together the square bars to make 2 trays 1.14m x 0.45m
- Weld together the square bars to make 2 trays 1.14m x 0.48m
- Cover each of the trays with mesh
- Caulk and bolt the angled bars over the frames
Step 7
Step 7
- Paint the inside and outside of the dryer flat black
- Place the trays on the supports
- Place the plastic cover on top
Possible Adjustments
Possible Adjustments
- Change metal to plastic pipes for trays to avoid welding
- Add a solar fan for ventilation and increased airflow
- Adjust the angle of the dryer for different seasons/latitudes by propping the back legs up on supports