Our Solar Shower is a very handy solar product that uses the sun to heat water for showers, washing dishes and general use. The Solar Shower Bag holds 5 gallons, has a flexible shower hose and an on/off spigot. Hang the Solar Shower in a tree in the sun or off the side of an RV! Takes about 3 hours of sunlight for the water to heat up. A very practical and fun solar product! Great for camping! FeaturesWeighs 13 ounces when empty 42.5 lbs. when full Measures about 17" X 21"Made of non-toxic PVC
Using parts easily available from the internet (see helpful links) and your local stores, you can make a small solar power generator for $250 to $300. Great for power failures and life outside the power grid. Power your computer, modem, vcr, tv, cameras, lights, or DC appliances anywhere you go. Use in cabins, boats, tents, archaeological digs, or while travelling throughout the third world. Have one in the office store room in case of power failures in your highrise. I keep mine in my bedroom where it powers my cd player, turntable, lights, modem, laptop, and (ahem) a back massager. I run a line out the window to an 8" x 24" panel on the roof.
Filtering Material 1. You will need at least 15 to 20 lbs of granulated activated carbon (charcoal, but NOT the barbecue pit type), which we found at an aquarium supply store. Be sure there is no chemical additives! This must be thoroughly flushed and rinsed before use, units water runs clear, to remove carbon dust. This must be changed after a while (after 1 month with constant use) because it becomes saturated with contaminants and can be release them back into water. We estimate that we can probably change it after 2 to 3 months since we anticipate filtering rain water as we catch it, and this probably won't be very day. Our 18 lbs should last us (3 adults and six small pets) 5 to 6 months with God's mercy and a little luck! 2. You will also need a large package of 100% pure polyester quilt batting (padding), which can be found at most fabric stores. Don't compromise with cotton, it can mildew and rot!
FRESNEL LENShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresnel_lensA Fresnel lens is a type of lens invented by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel (pronounced fre-NELL in scientific and lighting applications. Originally developed for lighthouses, the design enables the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the weight and volume of material which would be required in conventional lens design. Compared to earlier lenses, the Fresnel lens is much thinner, thus passing more light and allowing lighthouses to be visible over much longer distances. When placed in the sun, a fresnel lens will act as a giant magnifying glass and concentrate light to a very small point. Most large fresnel lenses will concentrate several square feet of sunlight to less than an inch resulting in a hot spot over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This will cause wood to instantly catch on fire or zinc and copper metal to melt in a few seconds or even burn and vaporize. We have boiled 12 oz. of water in a dark glass bottle in 90 seconds and burned a hole in a stainless steel bowl.. One gallon of water was boiled in 30 minutes. HELPFUL HINTS: The sun is always moving across the sky (earth rotation) and the angle of the lens must also change for maximum results. It is helpful to have a table/stand that can be adjusted up and down.WARNING: Never place hand in beam, instant serious burn. Surfaces and objects can get 2000 degrees. This will send you to the ER. Never experiment without protective gear. Gloves (fireproof). Never leave lens in the sun unattended or you could start a fire. Never let kids play with the lens or use while pets are around. WEAR PROTECTIVE wielding eye wear. The spot formed by the lens is equivalent to looking at the sun. Vision loss is possible without proper eye wear. Some objects have remained hot for over an hour even out of the light. It can be quite deceiving how strong the sun is and anyone using these lenses for sun collection should get in the habit o...
Just when you thought ice cube-creation technology had peaked, a team of engineering students from San Jose State University has come up an ice maker that has zero carbon footprint. It’s more than an eco-party trick — consider it an electricity-free alternative to refrigeration and air conditioning, which is critical if you happen to be somewhere off of the electrical grid, like in the developing world or in a disaster zone.
