Science Forums 2

[SolarFreak]

Well a little more data. I’m using 2-inch mirrors and 18” seams to be about the best.

Today I finished up 3 rings of mirrors total of 45. I just got in from adjusting them.
My focal point is 18” inches high

I had a sterling engine in my focal point. I will post pictures of it later must get them off the camera.

Anyway after I spent the time to get them I could smell something like melting/burning plastic parts of this sterling engine are made with plastic and looks like it started to melt a little.

It ran for about 30 sec and just stopped dead. the top and bottom are both metal plates and black. That’s the way it came in the kit. I could not touch the top with my hand.

I think that the bottom and top plate got so hot that there was not a big temp difference in them and it stopped work.

So I’m still waiting on my laser thermometer to show up so can get some good readings. I have a oven thermometer. Using set of long handle pliers I held it at the focal point and

after 20 sec it was reading 325F.

Its case is shiny so most of the light was reflecting off of it. After about 45sec the sun went behind some clouds. So I’m letting it cool down and going to paint it flat black and give a go again. Its almost 530pm here so much sun left today.