Solar Heating - Solid State Heating Elements demonstration on workbench workshop

[@Craftypiston]

That's why i subscribed, nice concept, especially being able to match it to the relative pv size.

[@solarpoweredge]

Appreciate the sub! I was not expecting this type of setup to do much at all... but it exceeded my expectation. I believe it is worth further investigation

[@a.mirmousavizadegan7962]

Can you share the original paper ?

[@ddouglas3687]

Wow cant wait for part 2! Just found your channel and you're doing amazing things! You need to get those prototypes to market!👍 Watching intently!

[@solarpoweredge]

Thank you :) I am thankful someone enjoys this stuff hehe. More on the way!

[@mrdervish3683]

The rabbit hole came 2 this channel after minor setback with solar sand battery. Less parts is 😂🎉❤⚡💙

[@solarpoweredge]

@mrdervish3683 I am trying to use diodes with sand right now, although it's not easy as resistance wire... hope to come up with some way to do it without smoking the diodes :D

[@UndCon]

I did some tests with a solar panel giving out 24Volts and 100W. I connected 2pcs 55W 12V H4 Bulbs in series. Light is very inefficient, most power goes to heat and only a few % is light. That means most power in is turned into heat and as my 2 bulbs can take more power than the solar panel gives I'm on the safe side. I dropped the 2 bulbs in a small zinc-pot filled with sand blasting sand and covered the bulbs entirely - converting the zinc-pot to a sand battery. It gave me over 200 degrees Celsius and energy is slowly dissipated as power drops off = free heat into my garage.

[@solarpoweredge]

Nice! Very interesting setup

[@UndCon]

@@solarpoweredge it works amazingly well. Easy, to scale up if you have more powerful panels.

[@mrdervish3683]

​@@UndConso many takes on sand battery setups

[@vet137]

Hey there! Glad to see you are still posting :)

[@solarpoweredge]

Hello, hows it going :) thanks for staying with us... I should have a couple more done in the coming days. Working like crazy!

[@edwinlipton]

I love innovation. Origional thinkers realize a tire is round because it works perfectly. They don't try too reinvent it but find use from its original design.

[@solarpoweredge]

@edwinlipton I do too, love the simplicity and re-use of common everyday components. Thanks for the positive feedback :)

[@edwinlipton]

@@solarpoweredge thank you! It would take me 20 minutes to tell you how I fell into electronics by text. So I 'll keep it short w/ dumpster diving around the time flat screens "digital" cut out analog TV's. Must have had 3 dozen CRT's and about 12 microwave ovens, vacume cleaners and 10 or so desk tops too tear into for parts. Apt complexs were gold mines.

[@solarpoweredge]

@edwinlipton Welcome :) sounds like a great collection, I wish I had a dump or somewhere to get stuff from. Those things are full of treasure. On the other hand, I probably don't have enough room to keep more stuff....

[@edwinlipton]

@@solarpoweredge apartment complexs, "multi buildings", seem to have occupancy turn over rates and unfortunitly evictions almost monthly. Evictions usually end up with peoples things left behind and put into the dumpsters too clear out the apartment to rent. Usaully around the last week of any month. I had a 6 car shop,, it got so crowded It was almost more work finding what I knew I had, than doing the project or experiment. Sold my place in 2019 and down sized. But I miss it now.

[@raylowe3324]

Excellent video. Would it be a good idea to mount the diodes to a heat sink and have the fan blow across the heat sink?

[@solarpoweredge]

Thank you sir. Yes, heat must be extracted to prevent damage to the diodes; heat sinking would help, for example TO-220 packaged diodes can mount directly. This was literally the very first test. After seeing the performance, I believe it's worth building something a bit more "official". Possibly mounted to a heat sink or some other method besides air cooling. If I get anything built I will upload and share it with you guys.

Did I see it correctly that you defined the max wattage by simply clipping to the different points and thereby figuring which point gave you the highest watts, thusly being the MPP / was this the power of you panel?

[@solarpoweredge]

Hi, that is exactly correct! Diodes will hold vMP pretty well, amazing for something so simple and cheap

[@deanedeane4318]

Very interesting concept ! Thanks for sharing ! 😉🙃😎 NZ

[@solarpoweredge]

@deanedeane4318 Welcome :) 👍

[@ezio99ez]

Interesting, because usually the heat to be dissipated is a problem, not a goal. However, we must consider the real life of a diode subjected to such stress, for which it is certainly not designed.

[@solarpoweredge]

@ezio99ez It is a very novel use of diodes! In most circuits, the heat and voltage dropped is extremely unwanted.... PS regarding diode stress... In one test, researchers boiled water and cooked food for 100 days straight with 3A axial diodes... no problem at all :) I keep mine around 100-110C for cooking or 40-50C for space heating. So far not a single diode burned. I do think at 150C they're going to burn sooner or later though. Here's a research paper you might be interested in: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZmyiXiCoNGrh5Y

[@user-vw6ej7ib5c]

What I would like to know is what is the B T U output. That is the whole abjective right? Heat verses size of unit producing the heat. Maybe it is just over my head.

[@solarpoweredge]

@user-vw6ej7ib5c Hi, a reasonable question! You can convert Watt-Hours to BTU/hr directly. One Watt-Hour is 3.41 BTU/hr. Imagine if we were using an MPPT circuit to track the solar panels and maximize heat (BTU) output. We would use Watt-Hours to monitor performance. Well diodes strings act like MPPT - so therefore Watt-Hours are the best way to track performance. With diode strings, one can track a specific voltage range much like an MPPT controller would, causing the solar panels to produce more electrical power as heat - versus a bare nichrome (resistance) heating element. If I blow a fan over the diodes, the air temp is subject to be anything at that moment, so not very useful.

[@mppforall]

Can I use 20A 1000v switching diodes instead of rectifying diodes? Those are the only ones I can find available

[@solarpoweredge]

@mppforall Hi, I don't use them but they might work... standard silicon rectifiers would be the better choice. I updated the links in the description in case that helps. You can also use power rectifiers or tabbed rectifier diodes with a metal case (TO-220 package)

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

Very interesting. It's a good concept. Probably needs a microcontroller looking at the yellow fan taco output to disconnect the load if fan fails. The problem with diods is themal runaway. If you have a large enough current rated aray it should be reliable. You can increase this by putting them in parallel series or get ones in the bolt through packaging and use insulation pads to mount them all on one large heatsink. Good luck. I'd love a water tank heater with the diode characteristics. So simple!

[@solarpoweredge]

Hello, thanks for the feedback. You might be happy to know, they did heat water. Incidentally that's one of many solutions to the thermal problems... liquid! Also boiled water with diodes... working through solar cooking applications, and a proper hot water tank project too. Will post a video update when I can.

[@TheGhungFu]

Run banks in parallel? Also, could you use a high amp MPPT charge controller? And..... use a mineral oil bath as a heat sink?

[@solarpoweredge]

Yes they can work in parallel too. I have not tried an mppt controller this way. Did try putting them in liquid too, that works. Hopefully there will be better diode packages in the future for this type of application

[@TheGhungFu]

@@solarpoweredge Thanks! I have a spare Outback controller, 60 amps at up to 90 volts, and may try that. We've been off-grid solar for over 20 years, all DIY, and I have about 10 spare used PV panels. We have two guest bedrooms that can be challenging to keep heated in winter. Our main heat is passive solar and radiant heat floors, but keeping those normally vacant rooms warm means using warm water that can be used in other parts of the house. Water in a 450 gallon tank is kept warm (125-140 F) using a solar water heater (evacuated tube) and our wood heater. It also heats our domestic hot water. I'm definitely going to build a PV-direct parabolic heater to try in those rooms using my used panels. Hopefully, if friends and family show up on short notice, those rooms will be tolerably warm. Grindweenies just don't get that, when you make/harvest all of your own energy, it's problematic to just flip a switch and heat things up. Thanks, again! Hoping this finds you well.

[@solarpoweredge]

Welcome :) you have a very interesting setup for sure. I hope the parabolic works well. They do make a difference over time. Health is slowly improving, hope to be back up to speed asap... then I can get more panels and make more videos...

[@jdscott20101]

id like see another video on this where you set up some pre run and during run thermistors to show the temp increase possible when running these things. very interesting idea. never knew diodes gave off heat but i guess since they drop voltage then they have to! I want to use this idea to heat my chicken coop. seems much safer than using resistive heaters. Im also interested in different methods of controlling how many diodes are in the circuit. maybe a bunch of relays or mosfets?

[@solarpoweredge]

@jdscott20101 Well there is no way to track the performance of diodes using temperature in free air. So I use Watt-Hours or Watts (same as heat). See note below though.* Diodes drop a certain voltage, so if they drop 10 volts and 10 amps are passing, that's 100 watts. So they give off 100 watts of heat. Watts => Heat Diodes can be switched in and out of the chain to instantly change power level. Simply short them out with a switch. Sure a relay would work or a mosfet. I'd prefer to keep it simple so I'd use a switch or thermostat. *If you really want to see a temperature comparison of diodes, search the net for "solar diode cooker" and click on the research paper called "hot diodes". They used boiling water instead of watt-hours for their tests. I don't usually put links in the chat, but the paper is easy to find. If you have any problem finding it, feel free to email me. Hope this helps

[@zafod101]

Have you experimented with Telescope warming bands ?😊

[@solarpoweredge]

@zafod101 Thanks! I didn't even know those existed, might have to buy one and see what it can do :D

[@zafod101]

They are really only meant for stopping dew forming on the main glass lens so they won't boil water but another idea might be to use a running computer processor with water flowing through a copper block on top of it. Good luck👍😊

[@solarpoweredge]

@zafod101 Recovering waste heat from a CPU to help power it - I like this thinking very much :) 👍

[@zafod101]

@@solarpoweredge If you create a sand battery with a copper coil in it then pump water through the CPU into it ,it should gradually heat the sand up and could get very hot😁👍

[@zafod101]

Or you could put the diodes in the sand battery and power from solar panels, just a thought 🤔

[@4QWzbaxSzUAq9]

maybe string the diodes through some copper tubing for conductivity and longevity

[@solarpoweredge]

@4QWzbaxSzUAq9 Good idea, been looking for some copper pipes to do that project

[@dffabryr]

Very interesting !!

[@solarpoweredge]

@dffabryr :) :D 👍

[@petevenuti7355]

Maybe a string of mosfets or triacs or both, set up in series parallel in such a way that the voltage of the solar cell keeps them on (that way if you're getting away from MPP, the lower voltage on the gate will increase the resistance in the gate) but set up in such a way that if the current starts to run away that it would overheat, turns itself off. Basically using the transistors as automatic diodes.

[@solarpoweredge]

@petevenuti7355 I'd like to try it, lots of good ideas

[@tossancuyota7848]

this will make things a little more complicated but if u really want a heater thats cheap and heats real good you should buy a small s-v inverter mirco module board transformer and a bms for a 12volts lipo4 batteries been using it to boil my water the whole cost is more or less close in like buying 14pieces of diodes and a nichrome wire, that all sums to less than 10usd

[@solarpoweredge]

Hey, pretty cool idea :) I'll check into this. I've been eyeing those transformer inverter boards on ebay for a while now.

[@tossancuyota7848]

@@solarpoweredge it's cool product I used it to power my 500 watts Amplifier on my trike and other stuff in the house like bulbs

[@tossancuyota7848]

@@solarpoweredge just some huge caps a toroidal transformer and a rectifier diode and you've got an awesome magical item to power a lot of stuff hehhehe

[@solarpoweredge]

You got that right lol

[@K_Dao]

How can we apply this to sealing machine

[@solarpoweredge]

@K_Dao Hi, I'd recommend using traditional resistance element for a heat sealer, as diode strings are solar-centric. They only make sense attached to a current-limited source such as a solar panel (just my opinion fyi)

[@K_Dao]

@@solarpoweredge so how can I apply it to traditional resistance element using solar panel? The heat needed is very minimal.

[@solarpoweredge]

@K_Dao For a small solar panel heater setup, there are probably 2 options: A) run a string of diodes with a metal bar to absorb the heat B) combine nichrome with diodes to optimize voltage of solar panel (vMPP). I will share a video as soon as possible where I combined Nichrome resistance with semiconductor diodes to make a regulated solar electric heating element - although it has some downsides, the overall system extracts almost the max amount of power under varying conditions, and the nichrome resistance element takes most of the load and heat

[@K_Dao]

@@solarpoweredge wow, I can't wait for this please tag me when release. Thanks man 👍

[@solarpoweredge]

@K_Dao Welcome! Glad you're interested, I'll have it done ASAP :D

[@paulipoika]

Once you find maximum power point you can use high power transistor on heat sink plate and use small zener diode ( 13 V ? ) to its base . That way you can handle more power .

[@solarpoweredge]

Good ideas, need to order transistors to experiment. Found putting the diodes in liquid greatly increases their power capability: 10a diode might take 20-30 amps when immersed

[@RRrrRRrrlandfin]

I must test that. Transistor doing the heating stuff. Small diodes, perhaps leds, providing the bias voltage for transistor

[@greengooflight]

interesting, i remember a test i made once a time, i found out that 300 watts of LED light appear to heat more than a equivalent 300 watt incandescent bulb, same wattage but a little more heat it seems

[@solarpoweredge]

@greengooflight Funny that LEDs can do a similar task... Just FYI about the video: because solar panels produce more power at an odd voltage (the maximum power point) and the diodes can sort of regulate to that voltage, they make more heat and power. A normal heating element is linear and cannot regulate at all without assistance. That's why the diodes end up being more efficient overall

[@petrovich5188]

You shodd solder diodes to lage pcb with fat layer of copper ,or cuper strips, copper dissipate much more heat. Sorry for my english)

[@solarpoweredge]

@petrovich5188 No problem sir, your english is fine. You are right, I am working on a heat sink system to extract heat from diodes right now

[@lionheart1]

A string of diodes through heat resistant tubing then insert all in copper tubing through which water passes.

[@solarpoweredge]

@lionheart1 Great idea, been testing various methods like this. A submersible diode based element matched to the solar panel would be very useful

[@jussikankinen9409]

Combine with electric paint

[@solarpoweredge]

@jussikankinen9409 Yeah that would be awesome!

[@rayjones463]

well if they disapate 5 watts each then you would need 40 of them for a 200 panel so 20 per 100 watts or 100 for 500 watts 200 for 1000 watss is were i would start out....

[@solarpoweredge]

@rayjones463 Good points... btw this was a bench test / demonstration... the heaters I am making with diodes can push over 1000 watts