Solar Cooking Archive Discussion Forums

Bill Bradley · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Springfield MA USA

For the past several weeks I have been intensely working on two computer programs to analyze the performance of solar panel cookers. I chose the CooKit as the first application.

To use the programs, I need to know the angles at which the reflectors are mounted. I have a homemade CooKit that has been put back together with duct tape too many times. However, I measured the angles from the rear and side reflectors to the horizontal surface. Since the cardboard is a bit warped I get different results depending upon the exact spot the angles are measured. To get better measurements, I ordered a CooKit from Solar Cookers International. This did not help as much as I thought that it would because when I received the cooker and measured the angles, the left and right reflectors are at quite differnt angles. (The right reflector does not seem to fit very well and the bend at the fold seems to be larger than it should be.)

It would be very helpful to me if some people who have CooKits would measure the rear and side reflector angles and send the results to me. I would then average the results and get better numbers to use in my programs. Since I plan to publish the results, it is important that I use representative input data. I need:

1. Angle from rear reflector to horizontal surface.
2. Angle from each side reflector to horizontal surface.
3. Angle of bend at the fold in the side reflecotrs.
4. Angle between rear and side reflectors measured at the bottom of the cooker.

Until I get more representative numbers, I am using 75 degrees fror both side and rear reflector angles, a 15 degree bend at the fold point of each side reflector, and 135 degrees between the rear and side reflecors.

Thank you for any help you can give with this.

Bill Bradley