Material costs and links for DIY builds

[Apox]

I havent found a thread like this so i thought id start one. I am building the Galaxy Hut and for anyone interested, below i have the description, cost, and place where you can buy the materials.

Basic Galaxy Hut:

Most materials are from Home Depot. This is mainly because its close to my house and shipping sucks.

1 - 100% Sun Blocker Tarp - 16' x 24' (My Home Depot doesnt carry this in stock in store, nor on their website. If you can find it elsewhere, more power to you.)
http://www.creativeshelters.com/Tarps/C ... lockerTarp
$63.36

8 - 10', 1" SCH 40 PVC (Thin pipe)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =202280936
$23.92

5 - 10', 1-1/4" SCH 40 PVC (Fat pipe) (buy 2 if you dont want to do the side supports. $8.66)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100348481
$21.65

12 - 2', 1/2" diameter rebar stakes (buy 10 if you arent doing side supports. $19.80)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =202094274
$23.76

2 - 2" PVC T fittings
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100144268
$4.44

2 - 2" PVC X fittings
Not on Home Depot's website. Please inform if you find them. Closest one i saw was the 1 1/2".

32 - 6" ball bungies
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =202935075
2 packs of 25 - $19.98

8 - 2" screw with nut (#8-32 x 2" Round head slotted zinc machine screws)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... ogId=10053
$7.84

8 - lock washers (#10 zinc lock washers)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =202704602
$7.84

Duct Tape - 2pk
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100351967
$7.96

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 180.75 (w.o tax and w.o cross fitting. Will update when I get the info.)

This is only an estimate and cost may vary depending where you are, where you buy, etc.

[Elderberry]

Good post and great idea.

[Apox]

Here is my build list for the swamp cooler in case some of you are wondering: (remember, this is just what IM doing. there is more then one way to build this.)

Basic build:

28 in. x 34 in. DuraCool Pad for Evaporative Coolers (im getting this size because I can cut it in half and it will be enough to do the outer layer, and the inner layer as per FIGJAM's post. The inner layer is optional however.)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100343463
$6.57

5-Gallon Orange Homer Bucket
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100087613
$2.54

Homer 5-Gallon Bucket Lid
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100037401
$0.98

Instapark® 5W Mono-crystalline Solar Panel with 12V Solar Charge Controller (I got this to keep the battery charging at all times, so I wont have to worry it dying on me a few days before the burn. The 12v solar charge controller prevents over charging. VERY handy)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FOEUI0
$38.95

The fan FIGJAM recommends is found here:
Delta 120mm x 38mm High-Speed Fan
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8547/ ... 1108#blank
$30.99

If you need more cfm, like I do, I bought this one:
Delta 120 x 38mm Mega High-Speed Fan
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9769/ ... 6c435s1109
$32.99

12v Solar Pump
http://www.siliconsolar.com/replacement ... p-103.html
$7.85
--------------------------------------

Total: $~90 if you include the hose.
Since I have a solar panel that is going to keep charging my battery, im just going to use whatever spare car battery I find laying around.

[trilobyte]

Cool post, but I'm currently still trying not to think what it's all costing us hehe

[Apox]

hehe, I know what you mean. I have been slowly buying a little at a time for the past couple months. Makes it easier to justify...

[trilobyte]

Yes, definitely. My main projects are still 'in flux' at the moment, with last minute changes and a few components still to be sorted out before I could do a proper tally. Hopefully I'll have made the last of the runs to the lumber yard and hardware store in the next day or two, and once the dust settles <g> on construction I'll get a little spare time to try and summarize the plans.

[porkmuffin]

Apox,

Can you use a non deep-cycle battery if you are trickle charging it each day? I want to run all day on the system with pump and fan, but just fan at night...so I'm only going to run the pump off the solar panel, but I will plan on running the fan off of a battery. Can't think that fan will pull many mAh overnight, but still, I'd like to keep the positive pressure in the hexayurt up as much as possible. Sounds like you haven't tested anything yet, just curious if you'd done the math. I'm a mech eng and I hate electrical engineering unless I'm following a guide.

Porky

[junglesmacks]

NM.. was going to comment on Hawaii vs mainland pricing diffs but I see that you're using web based pricing. Carry on..

[Apox]

Apox,

Can you use a non deep-cycle battery if you are trickle charging it each day? I want to run all day on the system with pump and fan, but just fan at night...so I'm only going to run the pump off the solar panel, but I will plan on running the fan off of a battery. Can't think that fan will pull many mAh overnight, but still, I'd like to keep the positive pressure in the hexayurt up as much as possible. Sounds like you haven't tested anything yet, just curious if you'd done the math. I'm a mech eng and I hate electrical engineering unless I'm following a guide.

Porky

You would be right, I havent built and tested anything yet. I posted this as a quick look at what is mostly involved in the build. The best person to ask would be FIGJAM as the cooler is his design, not mine. But basically, thats what im doing. Though im going to make sure my cooler is turned off when im away from my site to make sure my battery doesnt die at night.

[FIGJAM]

Don't waste your power!

Only run the cooler when your in the space!