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SolarChimneyDehydrator

ASolarchimneydehydratorcanbeconstructedwithanynumberof designs, adjusted to meet whatever needs you have.Following,isabasicdesignusedattheCroffordDemonstration

FarminWoodruff,AZ.Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationon

thisdesignorthefarm,pleasecontacttheLittleColoradoRiverRC&D.

Materialsneededforyoursolarchimneydehydrator:

2x4's,2x2's,1x4's,1x2's,3/4inch plywood,weatherstripping,sheetmetal, Plexiglas, cardboard, black paint, screws& nails,

hinges,door latches,screen,andfood safe screen.Quantity ofmaterialswillbedeterminedonthesizeofdehydratoryou

build. This dehydrator

cabinetmeasures51/2ft.tallby3ft.wide.

Important: The collectorshouldbeangledbetween35and45degrees,facing

south.

Adding the walls... There are three walls and onedoor;thewallsarenorth,southandwest,leavingthe

east as the door. There is also an inside wall thatserves as a vent. The North inside wall panel is 4

inches shorter than the outsidewall toallow for the

ventatthebottom.Seediagrambelow.

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Thesouthwallopensintothesolarareaofthedehydratoratthetop,about4-6inches,

whichbringstheairintothecabinetandcirculatesdownthrutheventatthebottomoftheinsidewallandismovedupthechimneyandouttheventatthetop.Aircirculationis

ofutmostimportance,asthemoisturemustbeabletoescapethecabinet,andtheentire

productmustbeexposedtocirculation,inorderforproperdrying.

Addingtherunners...

Thetrayrunnersaremadeupof2x2'smeasuring32incheslongspaced3inchesapart.

Spacetherunnerbraces26inchesapart.Leavingextraspacebetweentherightbraceand

theinsidewall,thiswillallowtheairtocirculate.

Seediagram.

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AttachingtheSolarunit...

Tobuildthecollector,attach2x4'scutata35or45degreeangletothecabinet.Runa

1x4 cut at the same angledown themiddle.Seediagram. Enclose the bottom of the

cabinetandthe collectorwithplywood.Thetop and sidesofthecollectorarecoveredwiththePlexiglas.Leaveanopeningatthebottomtoallowtheairtoflowin,coverwith

screentokeepbugsout.Cutasectionofcardboardandsecuretothebackofthe1x4and

underneathtothebottomofthecollector.Painttheinsideofthecollectorblack.

Finishingthedehydrator...

Covertheroofwithplywood,leavea3-4inchopeningonthenorthsideforthevent,and

coverwithscreen.Runweatherstrippingalongtheedgesforprotection.Makesurethe

doorishingedproperlyandsecurelylatched.Remember,youcandesignyourownsolarchimney dehydrator; this rough layout is for your reference. Just remember the angle

needstobe35-45degrees,facingsouth,andproperlyventilated

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