Jim's been modifying a design on a solar powered food dehydrator.
The black metal at the base of the machine is set to a 45 degree angle. It collects the sun's energy and turns it into heat, while the polycarbonate window traps the heat in the machine.
Air vents in the base of the unit allow the heated air to rise...
and dehydrate the food on the racks.
Adjust the temperature with these screen vents
Temperatures can reach up to 180 degrees so it is important but easy to monitor the progress with thermometers at the base of the racks and at the top of the unit. With this knowledge, the racks can be jockeyed according to how the food is progressing.
So, with proper placement in the sun, this unit can turn five pounds of freshly picked apples into dehydrated apples in just 9 hours...without the use of electricity!
Jim plans on adding wheels and handpoles to allow for better mobility. There will be more updates on this fascinating project to come.
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