How to Build a Solar Dryer

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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

  • Paint the inside and outside of the dryer flat black
  • Place the trays on the supports
  • Place the plastic cover on top

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