Solar Power Unit
Materials 1/2"x24"x30" plywood; 3/4"x12"x30" plywood; 1"x1"x20" pine; 1/4"x12"x24" mirrored acrylic; 18"x36" plastic-laminate; 12' of 1/8"-diam. plastic aquariam tube; 18" of No. 18 soft steel wire; 36" of 1/4"-diam. clear acrylic dowel; 18"-wide acetate strips, 1' each of pink, yellow, green and blue.
From 3/4" plywood, cut pieces A, B, C and D (all 4' high), with mitered sides following Top View diagram. Also cut 2 triangular sides and cross support for the heat (or sun) collector. From 1/2" plywood, cut long outer side and base. Drill for acrylic pegs.
Assemble sides around base with heat collector parts. Paint edges and sides that will be visible. Laminate outer surface of outer side. Cut 1/4" acrylic mirror: for sides with mitered corners, and for heat collector with top and bottom to fit. Sand cut edges to remove saw cuts, which will reflect in mirrors. Cut top (catwalk) and laminate. Glue mirrors and top in place.
Cut acrylic dowel pegs; insert in base holes. Cut plastic tubing for each pair of pegs. Cut colored acetate in 1/4" strips (3" shorter than its tube), slip into tubes and place tubes on pegs.
Trim frame pieces for heat collector from 1/2" stock. Assemble with glue, pressing pieces together; paint. Glue frame in place with many dots of glue.
Cut and bend wire for ladder rungs. Place tape over acrylic and mark rung holes. Drill holes, remove tape and insert rungs.
