4 ms·

Seems like a huge long shot. Even if you wanted to get one now, it's $250. I guess I've never seen this yet, but what happens when they can't' deliver you the

Seems like a huge long shot. Even if you wanted to get one now, it's $250. I guess I've never seen this yet, but what happens when they can't' deliver you the working product? Do you get your money back?

MrEnigma 15y ago
Also, there has to be some sort of mechanism for heat, and then something to actually generate it. All this is going to be is the engine to turn it I believe...
- TylerE 15y ago
  Sterlings are normally run on solar heat.
  - colanderman 15y ago
    I don't know why you're being downvoted. One of the primary uses of Stirling engines, especially for off-grid homesteaders (at whom I'm sure this is aimed) is concentrated solar. All you need are a giant Fresnel lens (~$100), some black metal to act as a collector, and heat transfer compound to attach that to your Stirling engine and you're off to the races.
    - TylerE 15y ago
      Yep, also somewhat common on boats, especially sailboats, for the same reasons.
    - damoncali 15y ago
      Not a downvoter, but maybe it was the "normally". The cool part of a Stirling is that it is indifferent to fuel.
      - TylerE 15y ago
        That's true, but in the real world it's fairly uncommon to see actual burners in use, outside of machine shop projects and the like.
- Volodesign 15y ago
  Correct - this is just the piece that turns heat into work. The rest electrical system and fire box / solar concentrator comes latter.
Volodesign 15y ago
There is no money back guarantee, it is a gamble, although we feel its a pretty good gamble.
grecy 15y ago
Can you point me in a direction where I can buy one now for $250? It's something I'd love to experiment with in my off-grid cabin
- Volodesign 15y ago
  I don't know of anyone providing a working engine for $250 at this time - you can find desktop models that run off of coffee cups but don't do real work. The industrial models cost in the tens of thousands. Give the Volo a shot - we hope to have it completed by spring.

MrEnigma 15y ago

Also, there has to be some sort of mechanism for heat, and then something to actually generate it. All this is going to be is the engine to turn it I believe...

TylerE 15y ago
Sterlings are normally run on solar heat.
- colanderman 15y ago
  I don't know why you're being downvoted. One of the primary uses of Stirling engines, especially for off-grid homesteaders (at whom I'm sure this is aimed) is concentrated solar. All you need are a giant Fresnel lens (~$100), some black metal to act as a collector, and heat transfer compound to attach that to your Stirling engine and you're off to the races.
  - TylerE 15y ago
    Yep, also somewhat common on boats, especially sailboats, for the same reasons.
  - damoncali 15y ago
    Not a downvoter, but maybe it was the "normally". The cool part of a Stirling is that it is indifferent to fuel.
    - TylerE 15y ago
      That's true, but in the real world it's fairly uncommon to see actual burners in use, outside of machine shop projects and the like.
Volodesign 15y ago
Correct - this is just the piece that turns heat into work. The rest electrical system and fire box / solar concentrator comes latter.

Volodesign 15y ago

There is no money back guarantee, it is a gamble, although we feel its a pretty good gamble.

grecy 15y ago

Can you point me in a direction where I can buy one now for $250? It's something I'd love to experiment with in my off-grid cabin

Volodesign 15y ago
I don't know of anyone providing a working engine for $250 at this time - you can find desktop models that run off of coffee cups but don't do real work. The industrial models cost in the tens of thousands. Give the Volo a shot - we hope to have it completed by spring.