PV Gap

Tracey Said:

i want to make something solar powered. please give me ideas and/or instructions.?

We Answered:

Something a young teen with limited funding could build and operate with solar energy is a Minto Wheel. Google “Minto Wheel” for more information or visit this web site:

http://www.rexresearch.com/minto/minto.h…

A Minto Wheel is basically a collection of pairs of sealed containers mounted on opposite ends of connecting tubes and arranged together like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. The principal is one of heating (with solar energy) the container(s) at the bottom of the wheel, vaporizing the liquid contained therein, and condensing same liquid in the container at the top of the wheel. The weight of the condensed liquid at the top of the wheel provides torque to turn the wheel. Depending on weight of the liquid and diameter of the wheel, a lot of torque can be produced, although at a very slow rotation rate.

Most Minto Wheels use a freon-type refrigerant with a low-temperature boiling point, but I would not recommend that. Try using liquid propane instead, under adult supervision. The containers must be sealed vacuum-tight before adding the propane. I would suggest using discarded Freon containers fitted with Swagelok or Gyrolok compression fittings and connected with steel tubing, ¼” diameter or larger. A light-weight plywood wheel frame should be constructed to hold the containers. Use a good bearing, perhaps from the front wheel of a bicycle, for the hub.

Mechanically connect the shaft of your Minto Wheel directly to an Archimedes Screw type water pump and you have a solar-powered irrigation system ideal for use in underdeveloped parts of the world lacking technology or electricity.

Or gear it up and drive a small dc permanent-magnet motor as a generator to recharge a battery.

Janet Said:

Electric Fence for Horse Doesn't Work?

We Answered:

A lot of how much power goes through the line depends on how good the ground rod is. This needs to be as deep as possible into the ground (I run electric around my fields which would be about 5 miles in total (with the double strands) the ground rod I use is about eight feet deep. You can also wet the ground around the rod if the ground is very dry.
Have you got the earth wire and the fence wire the right way round and as someone said make sure there is a good contact.