Solar Dehydrator Plans - Combo Package download

This is a combo offer (with discount) of two individual plan sets:

        - Missoula1 $20

        - WheatonATC1 $20




Solar Dehydrator Plans - both Missoula1 model and WheatonATC1 model
Authored by Davin Hoyt


Format: PDF file
Pages: 8 total (4+4)
Print size: 48"x36"
Price: 25 USD

The first set of plans are from the third solar food dehydrator in this video



And here is a sort of fly-by of the plans:




The second set of plans are from a build we did at my place a few months ago:



and here is the fly-by for these plans:

I am looking for threads discussing the new model of solar heater and input on any particular information regarding the shower glass such as whether it was the best of many options, any tips for gathering it, and if there are kinds to avoid.

EDIT: Found two.

2017 Homesteaders PDC (permaculture design course) & ATC (appropriate technology course) in Montana

Page 6

Page 7


2017 ATC solar food dehydrator

Observations: It sounds like the shower glass was decided on after the structure was built. Would it be ideal to size the structure to fit the glass laying as in the design, or rotated vertical, or just find the glass first and decide based on what you have? Are there issues with toppling if the structure is too narrow, requiring a base?

Patrick Kniesler wrote:I am looking for threads discussing the new model of solar heater and input on any particular information regarding the shower glass such as whether it was the best of many options, any tips for gathering it, and if there are kinds to avoid.

The Wheaton ATC Class of 2017 designed their dehydrator in the classroom.

We believe you should avoid glass with solar treatments.

Davin Hoyt wrote:We believe you should avoid glass with solar treatments.

Meaning films applied to cut UV exposure and such? A search using the phrase "glass solar treatments" doesn't bring back any useful information and I would appreciate some context to make sure I understand. Also please check my edits.

Patrick Kniesler wrote:Meaning films applied to cut UV exposure and such?

Yes.

Patrick Kniesler wrote:Would it be ideal to size the structure to fit the glass laying as in the design, or rotated vertical, or just find the glass first and decide based on what you have? Are there issues with toppling if the structure is too narrow, requiring a base?

Air flow is very important in solar dehydrator design. I would worry about air flow if this design were to be narrowed.

We used what glass was available (craigslist or something), and did not bother cutting the pieces. Instead, it over-hangs the exterior walls of the structure which is a roofing benefit.

So excited to see these plans. I had some years ago but could never lay my hands on them again. I am looking forward to building a dehydrator and putting it next to my solar oven next summer in my SolKitchen. Thank you!

Howdy, I'd like a personal affiliate link to the solar dehydrator plans that I can share. I don't see it in the "Explore Products" section of my control panel though.

Tiffany Howard wrote:Howdy, I'd like a personal affiliate link to the solar dehydrator plans that I can share. I don't see it in the "Explore Products" section of my control panel though.

At the bottom of most pages there is a link that says "affiliate program".  It links to this:  https://permies.com/wiki/affiliate  - which I think is a pretty good page for getting somebody started with the affiliate program.

And now I see you are already all set up for using the affiliate program.  

When you are logged in, do you see a link at the bottom of this thread that includes your f-code?  I see:

Your affiliate link to this thread (40%):

Followed by a url that includes my f-code.

I am now looking at my affiliate console and i see nothing under "explore products".  I reported it as a bug and hope that we can get that back quickly.

paul wheaton wrote:And now I see you are already all set up for using the affiliate program.  

When you are logged in, do you see a link at the bottom of this thread that includes your f-code?  I see:

Your affiliate link to this thread (40%):

Followed by a url that includes my f-code.

Okay I see the link now. I wasn't logged in when I first looked. Thanks!

How do you keep birds, bugs, mice, rats, from eating whatever you put in these solar dehydraters?
I was all ready to build one to dry mesquite beans when I remembered how fond pack rats are of mesquite beans.

I don't see how such a critter is going to get in.

Leila Blair wrote:How do you keep birds, bugs, mice, rats, from eating whatever you put in these solar dehydraters?
I was all ready to build one to dry mesquite beans when I remembered how fond pack rats are of mesquite beans.

Sandwich and/or pin bug screen and/or wire metal mesh at air intake and exit points.
Door can be weather stripped and latched.
The environment inside is not a desirable living environment (during the day).

Thyri Gullinvargr posted this on another thread when someone asked about the meshes/screens:
Short answer: https://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh-material/stainless-steel/14-mesh-woven-stainless-44
Long answer: Several posts about the screens started here: https://permies.com/wiki/240/61764/permaculture-projects/Homesteaders-PDC-permaculture-design-ATC#571958

Has the effectiveness of the two models been compared?  Anyone prefer one over the other?  These are great, and so timely as I plan to build one soon.

Michael Longfield wrote:Has the effectiveness of the two models been compared?

I don't believe there have been scientific quantities/tests yet.

Where does the water go? Is there any way to reclaim the moisture?

Mark Kissinger wrote:Where does the water go? Is there any way to reclaim the moisture?

The moisture joins the air in the dehydration cabinet, and escapes out the back top opening.

Inside the dehydration cabinet, the moisture tries to equalize, but is never able, because the air continues to move out as new air comes in.

This unit is not concerned with capturing the moisture and containing it. Maybe install an air-well elsewhere to grab moisture from air, or add this moist air to other moist air so it will drop/sink somewhere, but not here. This is not in the scope of our project. If dehydrators can not perform there purpose fast enough, the moisture will cause the food to spoil.

Yes. My comment was a bit awkward. LOL!

You answered what I really wanted to know: Is there a defined outlet for the flow of moisture to escape?

I'm looking for ways to combine solar de-hydration with water purification using condensation of moisture from the air.

For example, for my purpose, I would use your drying chamber to evaporate brackish water, like a swamp cooler, but to produce a hot, high-moisture airstream into a condenser.

Ideally, it would be a passive system, except for wind/solar-powered fans and pumps.

A less industrial approach would use a greenhouse to store the moisture and condense it using cool night-time temperatures, or surfaces cooled by other swamp coolers. The condensation-dried 'cool' airflow could be redirected back into your solar heater.


How much moisture (by weight) does the dehydrator remove? Have you measured your required/optimum airflow?

Why? You might ask. Because want to understand how our human-controlled systems interact relating to the flow of energy and moisture.

Mark Kissinger wrote:
How much moisture (by weight) does the dehydrator remove? Have you measured your required/optimum airflow?

I don't believe there have been scientific quantities/tests yet.

A list of my drawings here.

Has anyone built and used one in the Midwest?  It seems all the comments are coming from climates drier than mine, and I am wondering how well it would work where I live.

I got a private email requesting a cut sheet for the dehydrator projects. I would like to offer $20 USD in exchange for a full professionally compiled materials cut sheet (spec sheet) for any of my three solar dehydrator documentations: Missoula1, WheatonATC1, and HotAussie1.

Look at this cute image I made to announce this bounty:)

Has anyone priced out all the materials for either of these models? What are the $ amount for the raw materials?

~Starr

How well do solar dehydrators work in humid regions?

Hello,

Although I payed for the pdf files of a solar dehydrator, I haven't been able to download them. It just brings me back to pay all over again.
Sent two mails to signal the problem but still no answer.
Please do help me if possible.
Thank you
Adrian Asaftei

Adrian Asaftei wrote:Hello,

Although I payed for the pdf files of a solar dehydrator, I haven't been able to download them. It just brings me back to pay all over again.
Sent two mails to signal the problem but still no answer.
Please do help me if possible.
Thank you
Adrian Asaftei

Hi Adrian,

I looked at our server logs and the logs show that you downloaded each file 100%.  So perhaps you found the links after writing this post?

Nope, no download! It doesn't even show in my stuff I purchased. Only thing I downloaded is the 3 page pdf and not the entire pdf project. It's frustrating...

Davin Hoyt wrote:...requesting a cut sheet...

I made a Missoula1 model materials list.

Starr Brainard wrote:Has anyone priced out all the materials for either of these models? What are the $ amount for the raw materials?

I believe the WheatonATC1 build was under $500 at the 2017 Wheaton Labs' ATC. This was with cedar tongue and grove wall sheathing throughout, overnight delivery of wire mesh, craigslist shower glass, and free from the land skiddable structure below.

Materials and dimensions of your build can vary/differ and still receive good results. An example of this is University of Georgia Ag Department's build (images in solar food dehydrator thread outside of the digital market). Their build is three years old, and I just sent them a follow up email because they left me thinking I would get effectiveness data off them.

Alex Riddles wrote:Has anyone built and used one in the Midwest?  It seems all the comments are coming from climates drier than mine, and I am wondering how well it would work where I live.

While we're waiting on responses, I want to state that air flow is the most important feature to these dehydrators, and probably all dehydrators in general.

John F Dean wrote:How well do solar dehydrators work in humid regions?

From what I have seen, this style of solar dehydrator has the most success of all styles built in southeast Asia.

When making these plans, my research revealed that air-flow is the most important feature/factor. Keep air moving through the system. Keep feeding the system drier air than what escapes out the top. The plant or fruit moisture join the quick moving air, and when enough air has passes, you have your goods.

Davin Hoyt wrote:requesting a cut sheet

I made a WheatonATC1 model materials list.

I would pay somebody good money to write out step by step instructions of how to put the Wheaton ACT1 together. I bought the engineering designs, but I'm not an engineer. The materials list helps a bit, but...

Paige Parsons wrote:I would pay somebody good money to write out step by step instructions of how to put the Wheaton ACT1 together.

Have you seen the video of the ATC class building it? Link to video here.
They start building at minute 56:44. They start with the floor, and frame. Then, tongue and groove siding for shear strength.

Continuing,

Are you posting a bounty? If so, please make an offer.

I am interested to see where this goes. I can imagine someone building the dehydrator at a discount because they write their steps out. I can also see myself simulating the process with the computer model. I can also see a booklet being produced with images and descriptions.

I've been revisiting models and making "How it works" videos. Here is the WheatonATC1 model's video.

This is a "How it works" video for the Missoula1 model.

Paige Parsons wrote:I would pay somebody good money to write out step by step instructions of how to put the Wheaton ACT1 together.

I made this Step by Step text PDF for you. It has been added (to the initial post) behind the pay wall.