Quote:
Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian
What about a black hood, with copper pipe running back and forth, also painted black (maybe on the underside?). Feed the loop of piping through the cooling system. It'll preheat the coolant.
|
Andrew, I like the idea! I'm sitting here looking at a flexible heating pad with loops embedded in it and wonder if something similar could be made to carry coolant:
A roll up black mat with insulation on the underside to protect the car (perhaps also it could cover the windshield / roof to keep the interior cool?), liquid tube loops with quick disconnects to the engine's coolant system, and a flexible solar panel attached to drive a pump. A quick search found a 12v pump rated at 600 LPH that only uses 18 watts.
(
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=176).
Not much weight involved except for the coolant?
Justin, any comments as you are familiar with solar water heating? I have no idea of what quantity of coolant in the loops would need to be, or the velocity of the coolant to give it time to pick up the heat.
Linear Mode
