Author Topic: Adding a dehumidifier to a solar kiln? (Read 54139 times)

julian the woodnut · « **on:** March 17, 2009, 08:43:10 PM »

I have a small solar kiln similiar to the virginia tech kiln. http://http://www.woodscience.vt.edu/about/extension/vtsolar_kiln/

My question is this. I have a good sized dehumidifier that I want to throw in the kiln to speed up the process. Will it help out? I am guessing that I will just have to seal up the rear vents so it's pretty airtight. Is there anything else I should do or watch for?

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:42:44 PM »

Julian, for the woods that I dry out here on the Left Coast, I disconected my dehumidfier and keep the hot moisture in the container. I found that for me the wood is coming out just as good or better. I let the moisture ooooooz out of the container through the not always air tight doors and a small 1 1/2" hole in the side of unit.

You might want to try an experimental load without removing the moisture to awfully fast and see what results.

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:46:50 PM »

Frank, That 1 1/2" ozzzzing hole in the side of the kiln is it close to the floor or up high? I to have a solar kiln and I dont use any vents and does a good job drying my lumber. Im starting to build another kiln and and looking at other ways that could work better

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2009, 07:11:26 AM »

Carl, the hole is near the floor, a port of entry for electrical wireing.

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2009, 07:32:18 AM »

Frank. The kiln I'm building now will be portable Its 8'x18' and sets on 5x8 skids so i can pull it onto a trailer to transport to different sites if need to I will use solar panel and 12 volt truck fans for air movement The reason behind this is for rental use at the customers site insteed of hauling the lumber back and forth from my place. What are your thoughts about this idea.

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2009, 07:53:20 AM »

I think you have a great idea, Carl. In fact, I would probably put it on a trailer, in the beginning.

julian the woodnut · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2009, 09:10:59 AM »

Thanks for the replies. Since I have sealed up the kiln and added the DH, the wood( white elm) has dropped from 13%mc to 8%mc in 3 days. I guess it is working pretty well. The DH raises the temp considerably inside the kiln. It was almost 90 degrees in there yesterday, and it was in the mid 40's outside.

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2009, 11:12:36 AM »

Sounds like you are having some success, Julian. Good show!

julian the woodnut · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2009, 09:24:40 PM »

Well, if it isn't one thing it's another. The dehumidifier I put in the kiln stopped working after 3 days. I took it apart and soldered in a new TCO ($1.68 at radio shack) for the fan motor and was back up and running. Now the damn compressor is only working intermittently. The kenmore DH is 4 years old and was used non stop in my shop for a solid 6 months, so I guess it's seen better days. Too bad it's not working properly because I was very interested in charting the progress.

julian the woodnut · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2009, 09:41:45 AM »

So my solar kiln has been working nonstop since I built it last fall with various loads of woods from spalted birch, mulberry, elm, cherry, and some unknown trees. I have to say that it was the best couple hundred dollars I've ever spent.

I have removed the DH from the kiln due to it's poor made in china quality. It worked a few days, then the thermal cutoff switch fried, so I cleaned the fan motor, replaced the tco, then the condenser stopped working. I have come to find out that almost all the DH's sold at big box stores are manufactured by the same crappy factory in china.

So Carl, have you had a chance to use the kiln you were talking about building in April?

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2009, 07:53:22 PM »

juilan,I havent finished the kiln yet, got the subfloor and skids complete and covered up. I got to busy with work between the sawing and concrete bussiness I cant seam to get caught up which is good I figure I better make it while I can

Who knows how the second half of the year will be. But I do need to get working on it. Right now I have over 4000 bdft waiting to go in and more request weekly. I might be money ahead to hire someone to construct it for me But I'm kind of picky about how I want things done so I usely end up doing it myself

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2009, 11:18:23 PM »

I disconected my Ebac 800 and found that the lumber is just as good or better. I let the moist air ooze out of the trailer and the lumber is great.

Buzz Sawyer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2009, 10:42:26 AM »

Julian a couple of thoughts....an OLD a/c unit will do what you want just take the shroud off and set the whole unit in the kiln....it will produce heat and dehumidify too.....

AND as Frank said moist heat prevents a condition in would called case hardening...so there is a benfit to it

mike p · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2009, 02:12:05 PM »

Quote from: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on June 13, 2009, 11:18:23 PM

I disconected my Ebac 800 and found that the lumber is just as good or better. I let the moist air ooze out of the trailer and the lumber is great.

so do you mean the box produces enough heat. not useing the 800 unit at all . please clairfy

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:21:45 PM »

The ebac never did produce enough heat for the entire container to dry the wood. I only used it in the beginning to remove the moisture. I since have discovered that the wood was better without the unit operating. The primary source of heat has always been a Taylor hotwater furnace, for a 24' refer trailer.

mike p · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2009, 04:53:34 PM »

aaaaaaaaaa i see thanks

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2009, 10:50:56 AM »

I still have a brand new Ebac 3000, still in the box that I will probably never use, if you are interested.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #17 on:** June 18, 2009, 12:05:16 PM »

The bartering begins!

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2009, 01:20:35 PM »

$99.95?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2009, 05:07:30 PM »

$99.99

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2009, 06:08:03 PM »

$49.99

Mr Mom · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2009, 07:42:58 PM »

i would bid but dont have a clue what it is used for.

Thanks Alot Mr Mom

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #22 on:** June 18, 2009, 10:08:04 PM »

Carl, that might pay for the paperwork. Kirk and Mr. Mom, your bids could just about pay for the packaging inhancement needed for shipping.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:19:42 AM »

No packaging needed. I will pick it up when I come out

Mr Mom · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2009, 11:04:54 AM »

ok...... no packing and shipping i will pick it up when kirk brings it back with him for me.
Just kidding no money to spare.

Thanks Alot Mr Mom

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Author Topic: Adding a dehumidifier to a solar kiln? (Read 54139 times)