[UPDATED with new solar sensor] Solar in a jar question

[MichaelPT]

Hi Simon

I have been playing around with another solar sensor mounted in the laboratory flask

I found in my garage a old thermostat. The type that are used in copper hot water tanks

I cut off both ends which leaves you with a brass tube with a metal strip inside which is used as the differential
when it was originally used as a thermostat

I have squashed one end which has curve on it and I have soldered this so it is watertight
next I made a half inch washer using some plastic piping and heat glue mounted the brass tube in the centre
this acts as a seal and it also helps to position the tube

I cut a small hole in electrical Gromit plug, feed the temperature probe through the rubber plug and then into
the brass tube pushed everything into laboratory flask keep the other end of the brass tube open

Take, the thin strip of differential wire and form a loop with two long leads protruding
these leads are pushed into the brass tube

The idea is as soon as a cloud moves in front of the Sun the flask will cool down very quickly due to the differential
in the two metal materials used and one of them is more exposed to the air outside of the flask
heating up will be just as quick

I do not have a spare extra temperature sensor, do you want to try this out I have no problems with posting this out on loan
if it works and improves the results you are after just need you to send me a replacement flask
mick

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[Bashy]

Hi Mick

This sounds like it should do the trick and would love to give it a try please…
Let me know what you want for shipping and thanks Mick i appreciate the time
you have spent with me

[Bashy]

Hi folks, its now 11pm, and i know Mick said to disregard the UV temp but i think this is
too close to disregard it:

:- The Outside temp (Stevenson Screen) is 15.5C,
:- UV temp is 15.5C,
:- Solar temp is 15.6C there is nothing in them at all…

So it looks like my sensors are all pretty much in par with each other so theres no concerns
with any of them reading incorrectly as far as the Oregon goes anyway, i am chuffed with that

Since the new settings that i added for the new Solar setup has certainly made a world of
difference, its been cloudy the majority of the day with a couple of sunny spells and the solar
has recorded this very well, please see image below…

I have received Micks new modified solar housing which looks great and it looks like it will do the
job very well, as soon as i can find a 2nd hand temp probe i will do some testing, the reason for
2nd hand is my console can only take 3 extra sensors and im already maxed out so buying brand
new will just be wasting money as i wont be able to use it all the time, once testing is complete
that temp probe with go in the drawer

Anyway, i will keep updating this thread when i have found another sensor and tested it, so watch
this space…

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