solar first nyle second...?

[hackberry jake]

I contacted nyle about a l200 kiln. I got a little sticker shock so I got to thinking. Im not currently producing enough to keep the nyle busy but in the coming years I would like to. I dont want to build a solar kiln just to have to turn around and build a chamber for the nyle once I am at that point. Would it be feasible to build a kiln chamber to nyle specs and then use a solar "collector" to heat the air and then blow the air in the chamber with just a cheap dehumidifier in the chamber with the lumber? Then once I moved up to a nyle I could just scrap the collector and I would have my chamber already. I know the first build would be quite a bit slower til final moisture content.

[jdtuttle]

I'm sorta doing what your thinking about. Except I started with a Sauno electric kiln from Logosol. I built the chamber in my shop & dry about 800 BF at a time. Now i'm building a 3,000 bf nyle chamber outside on a concrete slab. If I were to do it again I would build a chamber for the nyle & inside that make a smaller chamber for the sauno kiln.

[WDH]

Jake,

Did you look at the L53?  It is smaller than the L200, but it is a little wood drying beast.  Not as hard on the wallet, but a very efficient drying set-up for small loads of 1000 BF or less. 

[scsmith42]

Jake, I have both. My method is to use both at the same time, and then finish off (and sterilize) the solar loads in the Nyle in between other loads.

I would recommend that you use the VT solar kiln design; this way you will have the option of having two kilns when you setup a Nyle or you can sell the solar one to recoup $. One nice thing about solar is that you can mix species and also leave the lumber stored in it for months at a time if needed.

[hackberry jake]

Thanks for the replys guys. You brought up some good points. Ill have to check out the L53.

[pineywoods]

Good idea, best of both worlds.
1 solar kiln, just a south facing chicken coop with transparent roof..
2 add cheap room de-humidifier
3 add commercial unit to same enclosure.

You might find the "solar kiln build" thread by Planman1954 useful.. He keeps finding dh units at flea markets for $10 $15

[YellowHammer]

I have both a Nyle L53 and a solar kiln outfitted with an 8 gallon per day high capacity, low temperature dehumidifier and use them both in their sweet spots to produce enough lumber for my business.  Between the two of them, I always try to have a full load come out every weekend.

I wouldn't want to be without either, and I have modified and optimized each for different species of wood. I can now generally get a load of wood out of the hybrid DH/solar every 14 days, and a load out of the Nyle DH in 7 to 9 days.  Between the two of them, I always try to have a at least one full load come out every weekend, and have been doing it regularly for quite some time.

Its important to use proper planning to get wood air dried before it goes into either kiln, as it significantly increases, more than doubles, the throughput.  Also, as the solar kiln becomes more of a DH kiln, its important to pay attention or wood will be damaged.

My point is, with a modified solar kiln and a high capacity dehumidifier, its throughput is not too much less then a true DH kiln, and is still forgiving enough for you to the feel for it.  Then get a true DH for an effective 1-2 punch.

YH

[hackberry jake]

I looked into the L53 and it is a lot easier on the pocket book. The biggest reason I don't like it as much is because it runs on 110volt. You would have half the amp draw on 220, but with the price difference between the L53 and L200 I could afford quite a bit of electricity!

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

I looked into the L53 and it is a lot easier on the pocket book. The biggest reason I don't like it as much is because it runs on 110volt. You would have half the amp draw on 220, but with the price difference between the L53 and L200 I could afford quite a bit of electricity!

Remember, you pay for POWER (watts), not simply CURRENT (amps). A 110 volt load running 10 amps is using 1100 watts. A 220 volt load running 5 amps is using 1100 watts. You pay the same for either load if the POWER is the same. Don't fall into the error of believing that a load is cheaper just because it's running fewer amps at a higher voltage.

Herb

[hackberry jake]

I always thought they charged by amps...

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

I always thought they charged by amps...

Nope, check your electric bill, it's in KW (kilo watts)...

[scsmith42]

I always thought they charged by amps...

Nope, check your electric bill, it's in KW (kilo watts)...

Correct. You are billed based upon the kilowatt-hours of consumption, not amperage.

[hackberry jake]

I always thought they charged by amps...

Nope, check your electric bill, it's in KW (kilo watts)...

Correct. You are billed based upon the kilowatt-hours of consumption, not amperage.

Mind = blown  :