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Author Topic: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish  (Read 58043 times)

infringer

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Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« on: August 25, 2008, 06:42:44 AM »
I was a subscriber of satellite tv for years over the years I have switched back and forth from DTV and Dish currently sticking with dish seeing as I have an old satellite dish I was wodering if I took and sanded one with fine sand paper then painted it solid with black enamel paint then once that layer dried coated the dish with chrome paint if it would work in the same manner as a parabolic dish aka solar death ray type device...

This would be one great way to harness the suns power rather cheaply...

Anyone else attempt this? As I hear this is basically how they make mirrors... Not sure though just thought someone might know...

-infringer-

ramset

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2008, 03:16:05 PM »
Inf  Yes for solar collection at the focal point to a water plenum, this is what they do  But you have to track the sun [a pain]  Chet

neptune

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2008, 08:02:01 PM »
Some DIY stores sell sticky backed plastic with a chrome surface, use narrow strips from certre to circumference of dish. DANGER do not look into the dish in sunny conditions . These dishes will set fire to a piece of thick wood in two minutes.

kampen

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2008, 09:25:18 PM »

Have a look at my Parabol ThermoSolar Prototype.
Building one right now, using Mylar foil as reflective material......see below
Automatic Solar Tracking is also a must for maximum energy output for this parabol almost finished, will keep you informed.

helmut

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2008, 11:54:29 PM »
Have a look at my Parabol ThermoSolar Prototype.
Building one right now, using Mylar foil as reflective material......see below
Automatic Solar Tracking is also a must for maximum energy output for this parabol almost finished, will keep you informed.


Welcome Kampen
Your Setup looks qite professional.
How many Power you expect?

Are you the same Kampen as Kampen 72 with his Heat Pump?

helmut

infringer

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2008, 04:16:51 AM »
Balls thats awfuly nice lookin...

Yes tracking was mentioned as an issue indeed which I have also given thought and technically you could have it work off of a clock type device mechanical for prototype purposes. Wind up every morning or something...

Shame is that this one little thing adds too much complexity for the average american to build I have a bit more interesting idea but kinda saving it untill I get a good sterling engine design or something I can build that will be sturdy and generate power.

kampen

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2008, 08:27:13 PM »

INFO: Parabol ThermoSolar Prototype Construction/Development
 
Techn. Specs:
Parabol 6 segment
Mylar ALufoil as reflector
Parabol diam. 1500mm
Focus 700mm
Estimated Thermal Power 800-1000 Watt/h
 
Last news:
At the moment I am working on the thermal heat-exchanger, will keep you informed.

ramset

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2008, 01:12:41 AM »
Kampen  That dish is so beautiful I don't know how you leave it alone at night !! Thankyou for sharing looking foward to your posts
Chet PS and welcome to the Forum

triffid

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2008, 11:36:20 PM »
A few years ago I was making solar devices out of trash.I was cutting 2 liter bottles in half and rubber gluing foil on them .Foil reflects 60% of the sun's energy.I put three of them together in an old computer case.And had to turn them to face the sun.But after a few minutes of careful aiming Anything out in the center would really get hot.Triffid

triffid

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2008, 11:38:12 PM »
I agree with ramjet,that dish is beautiful!One time back in the 1980's a friend and I cut a 55 gallon metal drum in half and glued foil into it.It did generate a lot of heat.We didn't do anything else with it.When I was making solar devices out of trash I also cut the round oatmeal boxes in half and lineing them with foil.Triffid

ZathEros

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2008, 02:25:09 AM »
Infringer , if you like dish network you should check out the viewsat pro reciever. It has dvr abilities if you  add a usb hard drive. They cost ~189.00 us. The viewsat has autoroll encryption. after you buy one you can download the encryption keys and you get all of the  dish network and Bell express view channels. Best of all it is perfectly legal, as it is up to the broadcaster to secure thier signal if transmitting on public airwaves in the U.S. dish does ocaisionally  knock it offline by changing thier algorythms but the hacker community has new keys within around 12 hours.
food for thought.

ZathEros

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2008, 04:17:14 AM »

Below is a link for redrok engineering. This fellow makes some very nice, low cost components for building solar tracking systems.
He even has his schematics on his web page, if one would want to deviate from his design. No need to though, his price is right and the package small. the trackers can be tailored to drive most any motor.
He did some cool things with the small sattellite dish movers hooked up to his tracker, and can swing 16 square ft. with off the shelf components.
Worth checking out.
Zatheros7

tracker
http://www.redrok.com/led3xassm.htm

low cost dish mover
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Order/Motors/HH-Motors.htm

zerotensor

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2008, 08:41:43 AM »
I made a parabolic reflector from a small 24-inch satellite dish with a number of compact disks as the reflective surfaces, attached to the dish with double-sided carpet tape.  Crude but effective.  The dish focused distant sources to a softball-sized hot zone.  When pointing it at the sun, the temperature at the focus was easily capable of igniting paper instantly.

triffid

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2008, 07:51:41 PM »
Thanks Zath Ero,I enjoyed the satellite info.I had a setup to get FTA but was told recently I had to update my gear.I  think you told  me everything I need to update.Triffid

triffid

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Re: Turn a satellite dish into a parabolic dish
« Reply #14 on: September 05, 2008, 07:58:15 PM »
While I'm here I want to tell you guys you can reflect up to 10X the light on a solar panel to get electricity(up to 10X the volts and watts).So a 12 volt solar panel becomes 120volts.Etc.You get the picture.Triffid