Efficient Workshop Heating

Russ

Intriguing. I have never heard of bitcoins until today.

What can you actually buy with the coins, and what do you plan on buying with them? Can you use them at Tesco, or can you pay the electric bill with them?

Steve

Sorry if I came across as bragging if that's what your pointing at, I just wanted to heat my workshop free of charge...... and thought, this is probably something someone might want to replicate for their model engineering .......

In terms of technology the first electron microscope was built in 1931.... as skilled as he is (and I certainly couldn't achieve that), it's not exactly cutting edge - whereas, I don't imaging the world networking together their mechanical calculators to join forces and battle cancer in 1931,

Not sure what you mean by the PC's, iPhones and eChuff but since Valve Corperation who employ Ben Krasnow are at the bleeding edge of "PC's, iPhones and eChuff" and it's all American I don't know anyone who confuses it as UK tech.

Edited By Russ B on 25/02/2014 21:54:53

Steve, it cant be used in Tesco, but it can be exchanged for cold hard cash online.

Crypto-Currency is a very interesting concept, you'll get a much better idea on wiki - its basically decentralised money - and big banks, won't like not being in control - its going to be one to watch for sure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency

Edited By Russ B on 25/02/2014 22:17:49

Off topic but when you think about it we amateurs now typically have the kit (and better) that 30 or so years ago was exactly what was used to build electron microscopes, jump jets, moon rockets and even atomic bombs.

Don't understand the rest of much of this but sort of could 'borrow' say 3 million computers (which we actually own anyway) in STBs running at about 1000 meg for 8 hours a day at least. So how much can I make?

>>>>Quoted from Russ

Sorry if I came across as bragging if that's what your pointing at, I just wanted to heat my workshop free of charge...... and thought, this is probably something someone might want to replicate for their model engineering .......

In terms of technology the first electron microscope was built in 1931.... as skilled as he is (and I certainly couldn't achieve that), it's not exactly cutting edge - whereas, I don't imaging the world networking together their mechanical calculators to join forces and battle cancer in 1931,

Not sure what you mean by the PC's, iPhones and eChuff but since Valve Corperation who employ Ben Krasnow are at the bleeding edge of "PC's, iPhones and eChuff" and it's all American I don't know anyone who confuses it as UK tech.

>>>>>

Not at all, you came across as someone who would heat their shed with their PC, and claim the money back by using it to generate virtual money.... Or something.

Maybe you should have a look at at Ben's vids.

I think Valve, the US game software company, have employed Ben to carry on building stuff in his shed.

Unlike here in the UK, there is a recognition of the benefit that brains in sheds can practically realise.

Valve have a demonstrable history of doing this. I can name other people that they "look after" too.

Comparable in the UK is Sage. Renown for accounting software. It's a corporate stitch up. I certainly don't think it would be worthwhile to approach them for an engineering development bursary, on the basis of my youtube vids!!!! (Not that I have any)

You get a company like Valve, and they recognise that all the software in the world isn't going to get you to the moon. Most importantly, they have something in them, which makes them look outward. Looking towards that which might be lost, that which could be gained.

It's not that you are bragging. It is that if we look like we are bragging, then I think we look stupid.

Maybe all model engineers have a computer big enough to heat their workshop, but I think not; I know I don't.

Edited By Andy Ash on 25/02/2014 23:00:18

Fair comment Andy thanks, I do disagree a little in that I work for a great company so they are out there.

Again, I didn't want to brag, it's my intention to share and I don't claim to own or have created the cryptocurrency or any of its associated software/hardware and really have nothing to brag about other than spotting the fact the I can buy a cheap piece of redundant computer hardware and etc. etc. (it's probably already been done!)

I was being secretive for a bit of fun that's all, and this whole mad idea, is just a bit of fun - I agree, model engineers probably don't have a big enough computer, and neither do I, I will have to invest in these GPGPU's as they are the key component, its like I've got a chassis and all the running gear but no engine right now.

Edited By Russ B on 25/02/2014 22:54:14

.

I used to have a van like that.

Best thing to do with that van, is buy and old computer with a GPGPU, put it under the bonnet, and use it to fly to the moon and back.

no no... I'm getting confused now.......

LOL

Don't get cut. Hand bag shoulder.....ARMS!

I was at one stage looking at hot air heating, it requires a large wooden tray, say 6' x 4' x 6", with a glass or Perspex cover, then enough aluminium soft drink cans to join end to end with their bottoms knocked out of them, get them joined up, put some aluminium foil in the tray, spray the cans black, put them in the tray, at the intake a small fan from a computer can be fitted, put the cover on and aim the thing into the sun, convection should get the air moving, if not the fan will. Don't know, still thinking about it. Ian S C

Does Perspex work for that ?. Glass (I seem to recall) changes the wavelength of light as it passes through (lengthens it) making it harder for the heat to escape. A heat pipe is cheap and easy to make and conducts heat great distances very quickly. Just cap one end of a copper tube put a wick it from end to end, put a small amount of water in it, pump the air out to create a vacuum and cap the other end, in a theoretically perfect heat pipe (impossible) the heat is conducted at the speed of light. The cold end can be attached to a passive radiator or used to heat water (as in commercial solar heating systems) - I believe just ambient light is enough to get these warm.

** sorry, uninvited advice!

Edited By Russ B on 26/02/2014 10:02:41

I like a woodburner but have been cutting wood for so many years it's no longer fun. My link to the net keeps breaking up, understand millions of aliens are coming on a cloud to mine bits ?

Just cap one end of a copper tube put a wick it from end to end,

Hi Russ B,

I assume you mean put a wick IN it from end to end? Just interested in the heat pipe theory, and you have also educated me as to what GPGPU Is!! very interesting, and a concept I had not considered, although I am not as involved with the computing world as I used to be!

Phil

We need to lighten up in the UK.

In the US you buy an old (ancient) Huey from a dealer, slap "Experimental" stickers on it and go fly. Try THAT in the UK. Here you can't hire a Hydraulic Lift because of elf n pastry, but you can buy one!

There is a new member on this forum, he has NO experience of machining, he is going to build a scale undercarriage. I wonder how many of you thought "Good luck with that" and how many thought "Go for it" - I am in the latter camp. The man can't possibly fail, he will learn something along the way.

A new - unknown to many - currency format is emerging, whether you like it/understand it or not. It is here and has been for a while. To me it makes perfect sense, I am going to be having a 500w (or thereabouts) night heater in my workshops/sheds so why not drag a few of the computers presently propping a worktop up into daylight and press them into service? I understand the technology, I have the hardware and it is something that would not really exercise my grey matter to accomplish. Just need to buy a couple of cards and get the kit hooked up.

The UK - Great Britain - used to lead the world in innovation. In my humble opinion we are the authors of our own downfall, we are always looking for the easier, softer way. Well that way is not always the most rewarding but when you do succeed in the UK you are "lucky". I am sick of hearing it. Sure, there might be a "right place right time" element. But if you don't get off your backside in the first place..........

I am not saying this is for everyone either, I am just being philosophical today. And trying to remember the spec of a couple of those computers

graham.

my bad, I meant speed of SOUND not light LOL

- applying the law of physics, would time not slow down to a full stop for the object as it reaches the speed of light ?!?!?

Edited By Russ B on 26/02/2014 12:16:48

Don't know but there is something wrong with the laws of physics where light is concerned.

They say it travels at 186,000 miles per second but my old BSA C11G could run over the Lucas main beam at anything over 50 mph - explain that ?

In the end the easiest way for most of us to heat our shed is to get a plain ordinary job, collect wage after tax and pay for the electricity. I haven't done the actual calculation but I expect it only takes a few hours to earn a years heating. Problem for retired & unemployed of course but if thinking of early retirement it might be worth working and extra 2 months and apothocating the wage for shed heating, then another 2 months for a new lathe and another .............

I get enough free wood for about 40 days heating one room each year. The cutting moving stacking moving stacking moving again probably costs me £1000 in time. But I do enjoy the evenings in front of the stove reading the forum and watching machines on Youtube. I sort of dream of a little woodburner in my shed but fire risk and dust are a big negative.

Russ, may I ask what program you are running that drives both graphics cards to that level?

I run two Gforce GTX690 cards SLI'd and the heat that comes off them at max chat isn't enough to keep my coffee warm, at idle your cards only use about 20 watts.