8) I know there are a lot of Solar Kilm posts out there but I was wondering if we could start one that you all could just post your pictures (with minimum text) of your solar Kilm? All the other post have a lot of comments and I would like to get all pictures in one post to compare and decide what type to build. The other advantage would be to combind different ideas from different Kilms.
Thanks Frank
I guess someone has to be first. Here's mine:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19339/3018/Resampled_2011-10-17_12-47-26_378.jpg)
Here's mine. Planman's is an up-dated model of it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14000/drykiln1%7E0.jpg)
Rough drawing..
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14000/kiln3.jpg)
There's a small room de-humidifier inside...
Here's mine also. bg
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01314.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01296.JPG)
Hi all, it would be nice to see the inside of your Kilms if possible.
Thanks Frank
You asked for it. bg
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01301.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01302.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01303.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01311.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01254.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22420/2888/DSC01250.JPG)
Nice pics, what are the two silver things at the ceiling?
Nice pics guys. How well will they work north of the 49th.?
In MA, is "Kiln" pronounced "Kilm"? after spending a couple weeks in the south, I saw several different pronunciations that differed to what I am accustomed to and wondered if this is a north east regional thing.
In the celing. 2 each 14" gable fans. 120v. bg
The spelling is "kiln", but the pronunciation is/may be different.
Like "elm" is pronounced "ellum" some places, some people.
My good sawmill friend (may he RIP) enjoyed putting a twist on certain words, such as "acorns" pronounced "acerns", twelfths pronounced twelps.
I think Bibby enjoys doing that too. ;D
And in the south....who knows what they are saying ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
Then I worked with a crew from Harvard, and they had a language pronunciation all their own too.
All is fair......ILAW
This is a thread that I will wach with intrest.
Anyone ever use their kiln as a greenhouse in the spring?
Jon
I've wondered the same thing Jon. Maybe make it so the black panels that collect the heat swing partially out of the way to allow sun into the kiln/greenhouse but also allow the black panels to still build some heat. maybe hinge it at the top with a pulley at the front/bottom to pull it back up for the kiln or to let it down for use as a greenhouse.
Or you could just build a greenhouse!
Which is what I plan to do one day. I'll take pics and show progress. I've done a lot of looking and reading (books and internet) and thinks I'll do a passive solar one. It'll have a lot of concrete mass and water as heat sinks. Like on the kiln doors I built above...I'll let you know if it works! :D
Quote from: Jeff on April 24, 2012, 11:38:44 AM
In MA, is "Kiln" pronounced "Kilm"? after spending a couple weeks in the south, I saw several different pronunciations that differed to what I am accustomed to and wondered if this is a north east regional thing.
The word is correctly pronounced with a silent N as in "kill". Pronouncing the N is also acceptable. I was taught this when I was educated in Michigan, and dictionary.com backs that up. Now that I live in Alabama, it's still the same! English is English. Proper grammer is regionally independent! Yeah, I do know how to say "y'all".... Slang, on the otherhand IS regionally dependent! ;)
Mine is up and running now. Just need to figure out what to use for a T-Stat.
I used an old furnace and some ductwork to move the air as one fan is better than four on the hydro bill.
Someone said an Aqua-Stat from a boiler would work as the temp gets up to 160 in there and a household stat wont cut it.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Quote from: 250quality on July 15, 2012, 10:02:15 AM
Mine is up and running now. Just need to figure out what to use for a T-Stat.
I used an old furnace and some ductwork to move the air as one fan is better than four on the hydro bill.
Someone said an Aqua-Stat from a boiler would work as the temp gets up to 160 in there and a household stat wont cut it.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Do you have any pictures you could post ?
Quote from: 250quality on July 15, 2012, 10:02:15 AM
Mine is up and running now. Just need to figure out what to use for a T-Stat.
I used an old furnace and some ductwork to move the air as one fan is better than four on the hydro bill.
Someone said an Aqua-Stat from a boiler would work as the temp gets up to 160 in there and a household stat wont cut it.
Any ideas?
Thanks
I'm not a pro by any means,But I've often wondered Why a bi=metal thermo- like the ones on cloths dryers won't work? The cut - out temp is stamped on the flange of them, would be easy to install & simple to wire up. Mark,,,,,,,
That's a good start to my problem. Now to try to get some pictures from my gallery to here.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26275/Solar_Kiln_001.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26275/Solar_Kiln_002.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26275/Solar_Kiln_004.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26275/Solar_Kiln_006.jpg)
Finally found a way to post some pics. More to come.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26275/Solar_Kiln_003%7E0.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26275/Solar_Kiln_005%7E0.jpg)
250 great looking kiln what is the tarp used for i am new to the drying part. also how much cfm does that cage fan put out also are you able to maintain a steady temp? i know its a lot of questions but getting my feet wet on the kiln drying.
Someone asked about using a kiln as a greenhouse. I would not recommend using the kiln itself as a greenhouse but you could build a greenhouse next to the kiln and pump the warm moist air vented from the kiln directly into a greenhouse to help provide heat during the daylight hours on cold days. The plants would love the warm humid air and it would reduce the heating cost of your greenhouse.
Nice photos on the kilns, would anyone show some close up shots of the hinges on the doors? I would just like to see for myself what works. thanks, david
Here's mine with a charge of Walnut, the first wood I dried in it. The kiln is small, sized for 300 bf in 10 ft. lengths. I put the access door on the front and hinged it on the bottom to make it front loading. The roof rests on swing-up props when loading/unloading lumber. There are four adjustable vents in the rear, two upper and two lower. You can see the upper vents just above the fan plenum.
It's worked well drying wood for my woodworking hobby. I unloaded a charge of Post Oak yesterday that was at a prretty even 6% MC, even on the inside ( I ripped a board in two and checked the newly exposed long grain).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/26792/Kiln%7E0.JPG)
Built in 1994 from modified plans by Gene Wengert, Virginia Tech.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/kiln2.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/kiln1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/kiln.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/P6120003.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/P9060001.JPG)
I left it on the farm when we sold out in 2008. Best I can figure a bit over 30,000 board foot was dried in it. Two to four loads each year.
Cody,
How long did it take to dry the post oak? Was it air dried before you put it in the kiln?
Quote from: WDH on September 05, 2012, 10:07:39 PM
Cody,
How long did it take to dry the post oak? Was it air dried before you put it in the kiln?
I left it in the kiln all summer since I didn't have anything else to put in there. (too hot to saw in the summers)
I air dried it a couple of weeks before putting it into the kiln. The weather was still cool and rainy so it didn't dry very fast or very much. I only cracked the vents trying to keep the drying rate slow but I didn't monitor the MC via remote leads. I would guess that it was at 8% or lower after 4 weeks or so in the kiln.
I'll be sawing some more Post Oak this fall and I'll make sure I track the drying rate/time after I get it in the kiln.
Here is the solar kiln based on the Wood Mizer solar kiln kit. Two 24" stainless steel fans, 220v, on a 20' x 20' base....the doors are 19' wide, the lumber chamber is 6' deep, 10' high and 19' wide. On sticks the design is to allow 3,000' comfortably in the chamber, but I think it holds a little more....
The roof is two layers of 4 mil clear plastic separated by 2" strips of lumber. I painted my strips black so the gap between the layers will also radiate heat....the idea is that this "air" gap is the roof insulation to prevent heat loss. This kiln is air tight, apart from the intake vent and the exhaust vent. One square foot of collector for 10' bd. ft. of lumber determines the size of the building overall.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/Lumber_Kiln_005.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/Lumber_Kiln_008.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/Lumber_Kiln_012.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/lumber_kiln_020.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/lumber_kiln_028.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/lumber_kiln_029.jpg)
Impressive.
That looks great,what are the chances of getting more details and what the side door is for?
Quote from: fenceman on September 18, 2012, 07:22:22 AM
Here is the solar kiln based on the Wood Mizer solar kiln kit. Two 24" stainless steel fans, 220v, on a 20' x 20' base....the doors are 19' wide, the lumber chamber is 6' deep, 10' high and 19' wide. On sticks the design is to allow 3,000' comfortably in the chamber, but I think it holds a little more....
The roof is two layers of 4 mil clear plastic separated by 2" strips of lumber. I painted my strips black so the gap between the layers will also radiate heat....the idea is that this "air" gap is the roof insulation to prevent heat loss. This kiln is air tight, apart from the intake vent and the exhaust vent. One square foot of collector for 10' bd. ft. of lumber determines the size of the building overall.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/Lumber_Kiln_005.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/Lumber_Kiln_008.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/Lumber_Kiln_012.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/lumber_kiln_020.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/lumber_kiln_028.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30005/lumber_kiln_029.jpg)
the side door allows me to collect my walnuts after they dry for two days (I'm gonna try that).....seriously, I can go in and take moisture readings without opening the huge doors on the front......just convenient. When mixing 8/4 and 4/4 they dry at different rates...I wouldn't want to remove any of it until it is all ready, and this was in the plan I bought from Wood Mizer 15 years ago.....there is a thermostat on the wall with an override switch. The fans automatically begin and shut off to conserve energy while maximizing efficient "drying" temperatures, which vary throughout the year (20 degrees above outside temperatures). I set mine a little higher than that.
The door looks like it is in the back part so how do you test moisture.The last picture looks like the inside wall is on a slope???
Quote from: fenceman on September 18, 2012, 07:59:57 PM
the side door allows me to collect my walnuts after they dry for two days (I'm gonna try that).....seriously, I can go in and take moisture readings without opening the huge doors on the front......just convenient. When mixing 8/4 and 4/4 they dry at different rates...I wouldn't want to remove any of it until it is all ready, and this was in the plan I bought from Wood Mizer 15 years ago.....there is a thermostat on the wall with an override switch. The fans automatically begin and shut off to conserve energy while maximizing efficient "drying" temperatures, which vary throughout the year (20 degrees above outside temperatures). I set mine a little higher than that.
we had a feedlot for cattle with 6" thick concrete that was flat, but sloped....no big deal for the lumber...but tries the carpenter's patience a little.....the concrete pad is about 60' deep....so the loader comes into the kiln on the same slope...so loading is not frustrating either. If I had the option, I would pour the concrete level, but since it was existing I used what I had
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/27639/100_0515%7E0.JPG)
Just built a few months ago, it has a 6" thick by 8'x16' concrete slab as a foundation but then a treated 2x8 floor insulated with 3/4 plywood, 2x6 walls, four fans ect, it held and dried 2000 feet of 1x6x14' pine just fine but thats all Ive used it for so far.
AWesome! Nice color, too ;D. I want one just like it.
It's pronounced kiln around here.
Can a solar kiln be run without power?
Quote from: Dave Shepard on November 28, 2012, 06:25:31 PM
It's pronounced kiln around here.
Can a solar kiln be run without power?
You need something to power the fan(s) to circulate air through the lumber charge. That power can come from solar receptacles. It doesn't have to be "on the grid" but the build costs will be higher.
Here's a site where the kiln is totally solar powered. http://www.solarkilninfo.com/
Quote from: WDH on November 27, 2012, 08:48:37 PM
AWesome! Nice color, too ;D. I want one just like it.
;D Thanks but I didnt pick the color for any reason, its was mixed wrong at the store so I got it half off!!! 8)
Very interesting thread! Thanks for sharing...now I have to add one of these to my 'future plans' -- or is that 'dream list'.
::)
Built this Va tech kiln last summer. Made it 17' wide by 10' deep. Concrete pad and I put a little roof on the door opening side to keep the rain out. So far it works well, I've seen it get up to 120 deg on a 70 deg day. 8)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30277/015.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30277/017.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30277/028.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30277/029.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30277/048.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30277/050.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30436/kiln%7E1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30436/kiln1%7E1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30436/kiln2%7E0.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30436/kiln3%7E0.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30436/kiln4%7E0.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30436/kiln5%7E0.jpg)
don't have a picture of it finished yet
Sawdust, and Comp, nice work fellows, real nice,
What about a thermostat from a hot water tank?
Aqua-stat should work very well.
Get one with a long capillary tube so the stat part won't need to be in the high humidity. Make sure the relay can handle the load of your blower motor.
I was taking another look at this thread and realized that I did not post a photo of the inside of my solar kiln. Here is one showing a load of lumber and the little dehumidifier on the top right of the lumber pile:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19339/2012-05-01_09-51-16_46.jpg)
These are some really nice kilns but my question is my dad always told me not to let the sun hit lumber and most of the kilns let direct sunlight hit the lumber. So any answer would be great thanks. Lane Simpson
The sun does not directly shine on the lumber in a solar kiln because there is a black painted heat collector between the clear panels and the wood inside the kiln.
I'll add my pictures here. I have more details in my thread I started today.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18254/kiln5.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18254/kiln4.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18254/IMG_0657.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18254/IMG_0651.JPG)
This is my first post on this forum. I am interested in building two items. One is a swingblade sawmill and the other is a kiln. I have a 45 acre farm in Waxhaw, NC (land really, not much in the way of buildings at this time). I do want to build barns, sheds, and a cabin. With all of the mature timber on my land, I would like to take advantage of that. I currently have a backhoe/loader and a small tractor. I also bought a Foley Belsaw sawmill but have not installed it yet.
My question: what do you all think about using shipping containers for kilns? Paint it dull black to absorb sunlight. I also thought it would be a nice feature to build some sort of track system where I could stack lumber on rolling platforms and roll them into the container.
Here is an interesting website that details how some folks have used shipping containers for kilns:
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Converting_A_Shipping_Container_to_a_Drying_Kiln.html
Now THIS is a thread I will be monitoring for a while..... nice job guys.
Some pretty awesome pictures of kilns on this thread! I'd post pictures of mine, but all I have is seven 12" fans that I salvaged from a big refrigeration unit that was built in the 1950's. They aren't pretty to look at, but the price was right. If you really want to see them, they are in my gallery.
Darrel
Pls post them here, not send us to your gallery. Thanks.
FYI, it is what Jeff asks of us, with respect to the Forum gallery and pics.
Ok Beenthere, you are right so here it is.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/35121/IMG_0568.JPG)
And I was wrong, I don't have 7, I have 8.
I'm ver' jealous of these kilns. Thanks for the pictures. I think I can do this.
pics of my kiln its been in operation 10 years
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39993/IMG_0001~0.JPG)