Bigger is Better

In 2011, I bought a large fresnel lens from my friend Dan Rojas.  I tried some experiments and it worked well turning sand into glass, but it wasn't quite hot enough to do much with more than a few grams of sterling.  Contemplating buying his biggest lens for some real solar metal work.  The top photo shows the specs of the lens I bought and the bottom one shows the specs for the jumbo lens.  82,93,56,0,C

Saturday Work/Play

Five hours this morning getting my east vent in place.  Playtime this afternoon with the fresnel.  A couple of more bead experiments and was able to get video of the quick melting process using two polarizing lenses in front of the G9. This is what 2000 degrees does to black sand.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnq0VDDm9qo
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jumbo fresnel...

Aborted a plan to head to Odessa tomorrow in light of the rain forecast for the next couple of days.  Decided on the move this morning when the weather report changed from 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms to 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms. I would hate to miss a good rain event.  Gotta grab it if and when it falls.

Got my new jumbo fresnel today via FedEx and gave it a quick tryout.  The focus point is about 2000 degrees and it started melting sand almost immediately.  I'm thinking TFL solar sandglass castings of some sort might be for sale soon.  Check out all the videos from Greenpowerscience at http://www.youtube.com/user/GREENPOWERSCIENCE?blend=1&ob=5  

Highlight of the day was having one of my old college buddies track me down via Facebook today.  Willie Smith was a very good friend back in our Hinshaw Dorm days at UNCG.  We got caught up on the last 30+ years this afternoon.  He had a very unique laugh that I used to be able to imitate way back when.  I think I can still do it.

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trying to concentrate...

Just sealed the deal today for a 10' satellite dish from my buddy Jesse (the CHL instructor).  He has an old dish that he no longer wants that was used by the previous owner back when they had to be this big.  This might end up being a solar concentrator to heat water to be stored up for the greenhouse during the cold winter nights. 

Following on that theme, Just Me needed frames put together for some fresnel lenses she has.  We are going to try to do a solar weenie roast on Saturday at tffnguy's.  Whipped the first one together then played with it all afternoon.  Used my welding mask because that spot it makes is really bright not to mention HOT ( 1026.8 degrees F).  Actually melted some of the dirt it was pointing at.  97,101,69,0,B