From bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks Sun May 15 14:08:26 EDT 1994
Article: 21568 of sci.energy
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From: sparks@helix.eskimo.com (Scott Parks)
Date: 13 May 94 22:05:06 -0800
Newsgroups: sci.energy
Subject: Sun Juice 1 of 4
Message-ID: <9ce_9405132247@helix.eskimo.com>
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-=> Note:
Forwarded (from: homepowr) by Scott Parks using timEd.
Originally from Don Kulha (1:125/7.0) to All.
Original dated: May 05 '94, 10:05

"Give me enough sunshine, and I'll juice a brick!"
Jay Campbell
c. 1993 Jay Campbell
Albuquerque's incorrigible solar pioneer, Lu Yoder, has done it 
again. He has conceived, designed, built and put into operation 
a unique one man solar-powered business. His latest venture, 
aptly named "Sun Squeeze" is a mobile juice bar. Powered by a 
65 Watt self-contained solar system, he produces fresh fruit 
and vegetable juice wherever thirsty crowds gather. Moreover, 
the entire rig is built onto a bicycle drawn trailer, so he can 
take it noiselessly & pollution free to wherever business 
might be.
Lu's colorful background includes a stint studying Mechanical 
Engineering, years building and selling bicycle trailers, lots of 
experimental designs of solar electric and solar thermal 
systems, a couple of solar refrigerators, and uncountable other 
small projects. He first earned the attention of HP's readers 
with his prize winning solar oven (HP#31). This project has 
combined several of his experiences into one overall winning 
combination.
The System
Lu's system uses 2 used Arco 16-2000 32.5 Watt panels to 
charge two 12 Volt, 30 Ampere-hour, lead-acid gel cells. Solar 
power output runs from the battery through a Trace 812SB 
inverter and into the commercial grade Champion juicer. There 
is a voltmeter mounted near the business end of the cart, so 
that he can monitor the battery's state of charge as he works. 
Being a compact system, wire runs are miniscule. A 200 
Ampere fuse protects the batteries and inverter, and a smaller 
fuse protects the batteries and charge controller.
The cart is divided into 2 major compartments. One contains 
the electrical equipment and a 5 gallon solar assisted hot 
water tank for hand washing. The other compartment is for 
food storage (in an ice chest), cups, juicer, and literature on 
community events - the business side of the business. The 
housing is all wood, and colorfully painted by a friendly Santa 
Fe artist, Julia Coyne. The solar panels are hinge mounted to 
the top of the cart, allowing Lu to adjust them through the day 
for maximum charging.
The whole rig (all 400 pounds of it) sits on a 4 foot x 4 foot 
steel trailer frame made from scavenged bicycle frames and 
electrical conduit. The panels fold down flat, and everything 
else fits inside. The frame is the same basic design that Lu has 
used for years, but is about twice the normal size, and beefed 
up accordingly.

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From bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks Sun May 15 14:09:06 EDT 1994
Article: 21569 of sci.energy
Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks
From: sparks@helix.eskimo.com (Scott Parks)
Date: 13 May 94 22:05:22 -0800
Newsgroups: sci.energy
Subject: Sun Juice 2 of 4
Message-ID: <9cf_9405132247@helix.eskimo.com>
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-=> Note:
Forwarded (from: homepowr) by Scott Parks using timEd.
Originally from Don Kulha (1:125/7.0) to All.
Original dated: May 05 '94, 10:04

Use
When a customer orders, Lu slices up the appropriate 
ingredients on the stainless steel work top, flips on the juicer, 
and tosses everything in. The juice pours out the bottom, and 
all pulp is diverted to a waste bucket. After the sale, he 
washes his hands in the hot water and is ready to start all 
over. He's still waiting for the day he has to say "please wait a 
few minutes while the batteries charge". That will mean he 
has a line of people buying juice, one after another. The system 
has proved capable and completely reliable through the short 
and cloudier days of winter. Summer production will be a snap.
The electrical capacity was sized to meet the single load. 
Initially, Lu made the mistake of believing the rating plate on 
the side of the juicer, and ended up with too small of an 
inverter. The current Trace inverter, however, seems to be 
working fine. The motor is rated at 1/3 hp, but a closer look at 
the plate shows that it is rated at 5.7 amps, and under load 
(carrots!) surges to 1000 watts. Also, the motor simply can't 
put out as much power with the modified sine wave it's being 
fed.
The PV panels generate 260 Watt-hours on a good four hour 
day. One cup of juice takes about 3.3 Watt-hours (20 seconds x 
600 Watts / 3600 seconds/hour = 3.333 Watt-hours) to 
squeeze. This is only an approximation - carrots obviously take 
lots more power than oranges, but with these numbers he can 
max out at 78 cups per day. Of course, by starting the week 
with a full charge and ending with a low one he can exceed this 
amount pretty handily. It takes about 3 minutes to recharge 
from each cup of juice. The 4 hour limit was imposed by the 
health department. If he cleans the juicer and gets fresh 
produce, he can go on for 4 more hours.
The water system is charged up with hot water in the morning, 
and then kept piping hot with a simple double reflector system. 
Pressure is provided with a foot type air pump - another of the 
clever touches in this whole system.
After he closes up shop, he pedals over to 20 Carrots (a local 
juice bar/produce store) to clean the equipment and stash his 
food. Health department regulations make this easier and more 
practical than subjecting his kitchen to inspection. The cart is 
taken home and locked up. The inverter is removed and taken 
indoors for protection from humidity. Albuquerque does have a 
5 month freeze season, so care must be taken to keep frost out 
of the inverter.
Why didn't he use a 12 Volt DC system and reduce the initial 
outlay and complexity? For several reasons tied to the 
educational goals and versatility of this cart, that's why. 
There simply aren't equivalent juicers (or many other items) 
available in 12 Volt DC models. He would have had to rig a 12 
Volt motor with belts to a gutted 115 vac juicer, which would 
look like some crazy contraption. He wanted to present the 
image of solar power driving mainstream applications, not 
some uniquely modified equipment. With the full system he can 
explain the process for producing home power, and help people 
to 'click' that it really does work here and now. Also, the cart 
can be used and expanded to drive any other electrical 
equipment that may be needed for work away from the grid - 
construction, repair jobs, whatever. Certainly a 12 Volt only 
system could be made for this application, but it wouldn't 
provide all the same benefits.

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From bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks Sun May 15 14:09:42 EDT 1994
Article: 21570 of sci.energy
Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks
From: sparks@helix.eskimo.com (Scott Parks)
Date: 13 May 94 22:05:38 -0800
Newsgroups: sci.energy
Subject: Sun Juice 3 of 4
Message-ID: <9d0_9405132247@helix.eskimo.com>
X-Mail-Agent: GIGO+ sn 5 at helix vsn 0.98w32
Organization: Helix: FidoNet<>Internet - Seattle (206)783-6368
Lines: 55

-=> Note:
Forwarded (from: homepowr) by Scott Parks using timEd.
Originally from Don Kulha (1:125/7.0) to All.
Original dated: May 05 '94, 10:04

Money
Parts of the system were donated or loaned by some local 
businessmen. A local juice bar, 20 Carrots, provided the juicer 
and a blender (not yet in use), business experience and a 
commissary service in order to meet health department 
requirements. Construction was allowed in the shop of 
Zomeworks, a large Albuquerque solar equipment manufacturer. 
They also donated the batteries. The owner, Steve Baer, has 
always been known to encourage such independent thinking, and 
his support has been important to the success of Sun Squeeze. 
Solo Power financed the solar system, helping to keep the 
initial expenses low.
Labor was provided by Lu, and materials were salvaged 
(recycled?) as much as possible, so there's no solid accounting 
of what this particular prototype cost. It is estimated that the 
total cost to duplicate the system with new materials would 
be about $2,000. The only ongoing expenses are for fruit & 
veggies, cups, taxes & vendor fees. He charges from $1 to $1.50 
for a cup of juice; sometimes this depends more on how 
someone talks to him than what juice they buy. With him it 
pays to be curious, interested and nice.
The cart passed a health inspection and is licensed to operate 
anywhere in the State of New Mexico (should he want to pedal 
out into the countryside ...). There are tentative plans to 
duplicate the system to cover the downtown, uptown and 
University areas, as well as for special events.
Lu usually spends the workweek at the main campus of The 
University of New Mexico. Weekends have been tried at some 
local sporting goods stores and soccer fields. Business has 
been growing steadily, as he learns how to promote the product 
more effectively. He does have a small loan to pay off the 
panels, but is able to make ends meet at the end of the month. 
One of the accessories he's talking about is to hook up a pedal 
powered generator or juicer for customers who want to 
'squeeze their own'. There would, of course be a discount for 
them ... Also, due to his support of sustainable agriculture he 
plans to shift the type of produce he uses. He will be using as 
much local and organic produce as possible when harvest 
season comes around. 
Conclusions drawn
Once again it has been shown that solar systems are effective 
for niche applications even when grid power is available. Lu 
has launched this venture with equal hopes of making a little 
money and of exposing people to the potential of solar power. 
He is succeeding with both goals. As the sun climbs higher into 
the sky, he will add solar cooking demos and more educational 
literature to the operation.

___ Squish v1.01
 - Origin: Sonoma Online, HOMEPOWR Echo (707)545-0746-HST\V32b (1:125/7)


From bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks Sun May 15 14:10:25 EDT 1994
Article: 21571 of sci.energy
Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo!helix!sparks
From: sparks@helix.eskimo.com (Scott Parks)
Date: 13 May 94 22:05:52 -0800
Newsgroups: sci.energy
Subject: Sun Juice 4 of 4
Message-ID: <9d1_9405132247@helix.eskimo.com>
X-Mail-Agent: GIGO+ sn 5 at helix vsn 0.98w32
Organization: Helix: FidoNet<>Internet - Seattle (206)783-6368
Lines: 52

-=> Note:
Forwarded (from: homepowr) by Scott Parks using timEd.
Originally from Don Kulha (1:125/7.0) to All.
Original dated: May 05 '94, 10:04

Anyone in the food business can tell you how much trash is 
generated by it. Sun Squeeze, however produces a remarkably 
small amount. Fruit crates are recycled, pulp is composted and 
the only significant waste item is paper cups. Some of Lu's 
regular customers are now bringing their own reusable cups, 
so even that is decreasing. Coupled with the bicycle trailer, 
this really is a low impact business.
One of the intangible advantages to this system is that Lu only 
has to go out on nice days. He gets to talk to a lot of people, 
teach about solar technology, excite some people and generally 
make some money doing something healthful and harmless. One 
day a group of elementary school kids happened by on a tour, 
and the teacher asked that he explain how the system worked. 
Lu responded that he would not only tell, but would show, tell 
and taste. The kids started chanting "show, tell, taste, show, 
tell, taste", creating a bit of a scene. That has now become his 
motto for promoting this unique solar driven business, and 
solar power in general. Just listening to the comments 
customers make is motivating - "this is great!", "we need more 
of these", "I really love what you're doing", "carrot - kiwi is my 
favorite!" and on and on. The positive energy is really flowing 
around this venture.
SHOW, TELL, TASTE!

Access
Author: Jay Campbell, 218 Dartmouth SE, Albuquerque, NM, 
87106 . 505-256-1261. Lu Yoder, 315 Harvard SE, 
Albuquerque, NM, 87106 . 505-265-3730. Zomeworks, 1011-A 
Sawmill Rd. NW, 87125 . 505-242-5354. Solo Power, 1011 
Sawmill Rd. NW, 87125 . 505-242-8340. 20 Carrots, 2110 
Central SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106 . 505-242-1320.
Lu Yoder and Jay Campbell met through HP, when both were 
winners in the Indigenous Materials Solar Cooker Contest. Until 
then, they had been tinkering on similar projects only a few 
blocks apart, completely unaware of each other. This article is 
the first joint venture by them.

     Article Courtesy of and Copyright by Home Power Magazine
     PO Box 520, Ashland OR 97520, Pub 6x/yr, $15 US, $20 Int.
     Editorial 916.475.3179, Subs & Back Issues 916.475.0830
     Note: This article is from an early issue; things change.

    Online Archives: SOL-BBS 707.545.0746 & HP-BBS 707.822.8640


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