How to Build Your Own Solar Sandbox With PVC Pipe & Fan
You can create an eco-friendly sandbox for your kids to enjoy during playtime at home. Using only a few simple materials like PVC pipe and a household fan, along with a few tools, you can create a sandbox that you're proud of, while also teaching your children about the many applications for alternative forms of energy, such as solar-powered sandboxes.
Things You'll Need
- Large industrial size box fan
- PVC pipe
- PVC elbow joints
- Construction adhesive
- Screwdriver
- Handsaw
- Sandpaper
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Sand
Instructions
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1
Understand that the box fan will provide the shape for your sandbox while PVC pipe will help strengthen, stabilize and secure users from injuring themselves in it. Unplug the fan and take it apart. Remove the font blade guard and grill using a screwdriver to unscrew screws holding the pieces together.
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2
Remove the spinner or nut that connect the box fan's blade assembly to its motor so that you can then remove the motor unit and fan blades. Lift the blades and motor unit up and out of the box fan frame and set aside. Remove the back blade guard but leave the back grill in place to provide stability on the bottom of your sandbox.
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3
Measure the inside frame of the box fan with a measuring tape or ruler. Use a handsaw to cut four pieces of PVC pipe equal to the box fan frame measurements you just took. Make a box shape out of the PVC pipe by connecting each piece to another with a PVC elbow joint. Fit one end of the joint on one end of a PVC pipe and fit the other end of the elbow joint onto the end of another PVC pipe. Repeat this step until all four pipes are connected with elbow joints.
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4
Place your box fan frame on the ground or on a level surface and cover the top edge of the frame with construction adhesive. Set the PVC pipes on top of the box fan frame and apply gentle pressure for a few minutes as the pipes begin to adhere to the box frame. Allow the adhesive to dry completely, for about two to three hours, before filling the box with sand.
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5
Move the fan box frame to the location on your property where you want the sandbox to sit. Fill the sand box with sand.
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6
Create a solar cover for your sandbox that attracts solar energy and warms the sand naturally by attaching a black tarp to the front grill cover of the fan box that you reserved from step 1. Measure the box fan front grill and cut the black tarp three inches wider on all sides. Use duct tape or construction adhesive to attach the cut tarp to the fax grill. Wrap tarp edges under the inside edges of the frame and glue them down so that no loose tarp remains. Allow the cover to dry for a few hours and then place it atop the PVC pipe on your sandbox. The dark material will naturally draw heat to the sandbox creating a warm environment for your children to play in.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Stockbyte/Getty Images
