I think some simple MPPT circuitry would be a smart investment for this, rather than a fixed resistance connected directly to a solar panel.

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bigiain 5 days ago | parent | next [-]

It's from Low Tech Magazine. A low tech solution is not surprising. Chasing 20 or 30% solar generation efficiency gains isn't really something all that relevant when you're building an oven that you're going to leave switched on all the time whether you're cooking or not.

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buckle8017 5 days ago | parent | prev [-]

An MPPT would double the cost of this setup.

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eternityforest 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Can't you do it inductorlessly if the load is a heater, and you can freely choose the resistance, just by PWMing the element from a capacitor?

If so that's probably like a $3 board in quantity, which could also give you the option to use a USB-C solar panel, which is probably the most versatile and convenient for a lot of people, with LEDs to indicate power and help you aim.

It would go against the low tech concept, but if I was going to build something like this I would probably go for MPPT

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oritron 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

You've gotta count the cost of your time as negative for that to be true. The author built multiple ovens from scratch here, and every cooked meal could be done sooner if the temperature were higher.

	▲	buckle8017 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The author does value his time at negative lol. This entire endeavor is financially absurd.