Make a Solar Bottle Bulb

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 Get Supplies

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    1
    Pick up empty plastic soda bottles. Remove the label and thoroughly wash the inside and outside of the bottle. Keep the bottle cap.
     
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    2
    Pick up a gallon of distilled water and a gallon of bleach. The water acts to scatter the light, and the bleach prevents algae from growing inside the bottle.
     
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    3
    Grab household industrial sealant as you will need to seal the bottle to sheet metal.
     
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    4
    Purchase sheet metal--enough to surround the bottle and lay along the top of the roof, and pick up a small handsaw.
     
 

 

Method 3 of 3: Design Your Solar Bottle Bulb

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    1
    Measure the circumference of the top 2/3 of the bottle and transfer the measurements to your structure’s roof.
    • Cut a hole in the roof using your handsaw.
      Make a Solar Bottle Bulb Step 8Bullet1_fa_rszd.jpg
     
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    2
    Transfer the same measurements to the extra piece of sheet metal. Draw a circle for the bottle measurements and then draw a large square around the circle.
    • Cut out the square and the circle on the sheet metal. Test placing the bottle through the circular hole. The bottle should fit snugly, allowing 2/3 of the bottle to hang down through the bottom of the sheet metal.
      Make a Solar Bottle Bulb Step 9Bullet1_fa_rszd.jpg
     
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    3
    Fill the bottle almost to the top with distilled water. Don't overfill as you will need to add bleach.
     
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    4
    Top off the bottle with bleach, approximately 3 tbsp. Allow the bleach to permeate through the distilled water without shaking the bottle.
     
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    5
    Add the cap to the bottle and tighten.
     
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    6
    Slide the bottle into the sheet metal and add sealant around the base of the bottle. Make sure you add a liberal amount of sealant in order to avoid having rain or other outside elements escape through the hole.
     
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    7
    Drop bottle through the hole in the roof and allow the sheet metal to keep it in place.
    • If possible, add sealant to the sheet metal to adhere it to the roof.
      Make a Solar Bottle Bulb Step 14Bullet1_fa_rszd.jpg


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jings007

I'm a simple person who hides a thousand feelings behind the happiest smile:)

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