Make a great piece of survival eqiupment from a big screen TV

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Any downside to cutting the lens down to a more manageble size? Any advice would be appreciated.

My advice is to head down to UPS and mail it to me:)

[barfife]

Matt,
I heard that it is so hot out there lately that you can cook without a fresnal lens.

But seriously, food for thought....I just made friends with the manager of our local dumpster (recycling center) site by taking him some tomatoes. While they will not let anyone "dumpster dive" for anything, he took my phone number and said that he would call the next time a projector tv is set out (next to the dumpster). He said that I will have from when he calls until 10 minutes before the site closes (normally 8pm) to get the lens before he pushes it into the dumpster.

You folks living out in the country where there are recycling centers may consider trying to make a similar arangement locally. They can only tell you "no".

[john1929]

I love this and nots will be made for shtf time if it comes to that. Thanks for posting!

[Useless Grazer]

For those new to the Fresnel lens, a word of caution may be in order. Remember that anytime the sun is hitting the front of the lens, there is an EXTREMELY hot spot behind the lens. A Fresnel lens in the sunshine is analogous to a loaded weapon, and should be handled with the same safety rules. Always be aware of where it is "aimed".
Grazer

[baldsith]

This is a must have for anyone wanting to prepare

[Jellyman]

NEAT! IS THIS A PARTICULARLY GOOD QUALITY FRESNEL LENS? I HAVE OnE I PICKED UP A WHILE AGO BUT DO NOT KNOW THE QUALITY. I WILL DEFINITELY PLAY WITH THIS. THANKS!

[Urban Survivalist]

Jellyman

This is just a regular rear projection tv fresnal lens. The crystal clear spot fresnal lens can be purchasesed on ebay through greenpowerscience and those are hard core strong. They will get hot enough to melt a cinder block, glass and metals and hit temps of almost 3000 degrees. TV lens can go upto 2000 degrees which will work for everything I use it for.

[94redstealth]

thanks for the tip

[thedreamers]

So since useing the lens heats great and very hot. Could't you find and old hotwater heater and with alittle work make it into a steam generator?

[Hawk_308]

Great Idea , I just turned down a 60" a couple months ago dern it . The only issue I see is whe using it I would have to dress like this guy

[flightorfight]

I have a 56in sony sitting in yhe basement. Guess i better get busy.

[Patriot Prepper]

"How do you want your bacon and eggs?" "Uh, I'll take mine vaporized."

I actually think you have a really good idea. I like it.

I think there must be ways to control the heat for cooking. But it could also be used for solar heating if you control the temperature.

Very interesting idea. Would like to see videos and a method to control all the power. Nice post.

[Urban Survivalist]

"How do you want your bacon and eggs?" "Uh, I'll take mine vaporized."

I actually think you have a really good idea. I like it.

I think there must be ways to control the heat for cooking. But it could also be used for solar heating if you control the temperature.

Very interesting idea. Would like to see videos and a method to control all the power. Nice post.

Here is a Video of how to cook at a nice medium power with the lens

[P2L]

What an awesome idea, now I am on the look out for a broken TV. Is there anything else to recycle out of one of these TV's?

[onebigelf]

2500 degrees? I wonder if you could use one, or more than one, to generate steam for a small steam engine. To turn a generator perhaps?

John