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Author Topic: Kontax KS90 Solar  (Read 493 times)

Swift Fox

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Kontax KS90 Solar
« on: August 09, 2020, 01:21:13 pm »
Had a rare British sunny day so i thought it would be a good time to put my KS90S under the sun 8) :



Very pleased with how it runs using just solar power, i love how versatile these engines are!  ;D
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

Steam Technology

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2020, 05:41:45 pm »
Excellent, free energy from the sun.
Now to hook a generator to it & power your house!  :o ::)
ALWAYS WORKING TO FIND A CURE FOR CENOSILLICAPHOBIA
Cheers. Dave.

Steamloco

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2020, 10:46:10 am »
Runs well with sunlight. Have you tried it under a bright lamp? I wonder if the plastic will haze over being exposed to UV.
Give us this day our daily Steam
And deliver us from Diesels
          Bret

J.Jackson

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2020, 11:30:43 am »
Nice.
Does it run equally well on top of a hot drink cup ?

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2020, 12:56:32 pm »
Quote from: Steamloco
Runs well with sunlight. Have you tried it under a bright lamp? I wonder if the plastic will haze over being exposed to UV.

To be honest i've never tried that and i don't know if it would work, Kontax make quality kits so i'd like to think the plastic would be a bit UV resistant but i couldn't really say.

Quote from: Jasper
Nice.
Does it run equally well on top of a hot drink cup ?

Yes it does, a lot faster than in the sun!
Also ticks over very slowly on my USB warming plate. (will probably work a bit better on that in winter when it is a bit cooler  ;))
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

J.Jackson

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2020, 04:14:31 pm »
Have you tried running your KS90 off of a steam engine exhaust ?

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2020, 11:02:53 am »
Quote from: Jasper
Have you tried running your KS90 off of a steam engine exhaust ?

That might be a little too hot for it, Kontax recommend no hotter than 75C with this model.
 
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

J.Jackson

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2020, 01:29:48 pm »
I see now
My KS90 is the silver metal model . I noticed that steam condensate from my hot coffee cup needed to be wiped from the bottom of the KS90 or it would stick to whatever I set it down upon. Thus I wondered “hey , why not see if steam from a steam engine would run this”.

Helpful to know the acrylic used on the bottom plate of the Solar models is designed for lower temp tolerance.
Finally, will yours run from sunshine thru window glass ? Also, I assume it will run from an overhead infrared heat source, and not just sunlight ?
[OH, and do the KS90 Solars normally run by heat on top plate and cooler temp on bottoms ?]

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2020, 02:00:07 pm »
Quote from: Jasper
Helpful to know the acrylic used on the bottom plate of the Solar models is designed for lower temp tolerance.
Finally, will yours run from sunshine thru window glass ? Also, I assume it will run from an overhead infrared heat source, and not just sunlight

I've not tried running it in the windowsil but i don't see why it wouldn't work indoors through glass, i know it can run under the glass dome in the sunshine. Not sure about infrared or a strong artificial light as i've never tried it.

Quote from: Jasper
OH, and do the KS90 Solars normally run by heat on top plate and cooler temp on bottoms ?

Yes that is correct, it threw me the first time as i realised i had to flick the flywheel the opposite way for it to work.
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

J.Jackson

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2020, 02:26:45 pm »
So, in the outside sunshine ... if you set your Solar on a cold drink cup, and the sunlight was directed on the top panel. Would it run faster ?

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax KS90 Solar
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2020, 02:39:17 pm »
Quote from: Jasper
So, in the outside sunshine ... if you set your Solar on a cold drink cup, and the sunlight was directed on the top panel. Would it run faster ?

Yes I believe it would run faster due to the greater temperature difference.

I forgot to say when using a cup of hot water/tea/coffee or the usb warming disc the bottom plate will be the hot side so you would flick the flywheel the opposite way. Much the same if you ran it on an ice block as the hot side is reversed.

I certainly recommend Kontax’s solar models as it is nice to use the sun to power them (when it decides to come out!)
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!