Solar Kiln Operation

[Tree Feller]

I see lots of pics here of loaded solar kilns where the lumber ends are no where close to the kiln walls and there is nothing blocking that space.

With such a large open area at both ends of the stack, won't the forced air from the fan(s) take that route rather than circulating through the stickered lumber layers?

Am I missing something?

[pineywoods]

I see lots of pics here of loaded solar kilns where the lumber ends are no where close to the kiln walls and there is nothing blocking that space.

With such a large open area at both ends of the stack, won't the forced air from the fan(s) take that route rather than circulating through the stickered lumber layers?

Am I missing something?

In theory, it could be a problem, but in actual practice it doesn't seem to matter much..I use a piece of canvas to block off the area above stack

[Larry]

With such a large open area at both ends of the stack, won't the forced air from the fan(s) take that route rather than circulating through the stickered lumber layers?

Yes.

In my solar kiln pictured, it is built for 12' sticks.  When drying shorter I just put a piece of plywood at the end to block off that open area.  If I ever ran a half load I would also block the space on top of the stack.  I only did that a couple of times.

I think that is the same principle as any other kiln.  In my Ebac DH kiln the manufacture also called for blocking any open space.  In that one I fabricated a drop curtain type arrangement.