Mobile Rocket Sauna (with bell under top bench, oh yeah!)

A mobile rocket sauna is on the loose in South Africa!!

Slightly shorter riser and radiator drum in order to keep the rocks/stones as low as possible (see 'the sauna Law of Loyly'). Some compensation upstream for this deviation from standard dimensions.

A possibly revolutionary feature of my approach is the BELL UNDER THE TOP BENCH. Yes, I do have to shout about this! Not only is the Law of Loyly met due to the lower radiator drum, the low bell also provides low heat throughout the sauna. I suspect that this is a sauna game-changer.

No, the bell under the top bench does not make the benches too hot to sit on. The bench slats possibly get hotter than usual, but I don't have a problem with it, and softer skins start with a towel between them and the slats.

Last week I ran the heater for 10 hours a day, 7 days in a row. All went perfectly. Used one third of the wood I took with for that event (South African Longboarding champs in Jbay).

Wood: knotty pine walls, yellow gum back-rests (sapless), and cedar bench slats.

This thing works amazingly!

You can follow the adventures of the sauna via 'AfriSauna' on Instagram if you like.

Cheers,
David

Hi David;
Congratulations!  Your sauna looks top-notch!  Beautiful job!
Are you able to rent it and recover your building costs?
Maybe you can build another and another...  Then you will be known as David the sauna guy!
In ten years you sell the whole business for a cool couple million and move on to your next cool invention!

Incredible job, looks great. What did you end up using for insulation? That's where I got stuck with my build (electric for now, but would like to make it rockety). I didn't feel comfortable with anything from the hardware store at high temperatures, so I just have wood with no insulation. Thanks

Thanks Thomas!

thomas rubino wrote:
Are you able to rent it and recover your building costs?

I hope so!

thomas rubino wrote:
Then you will be known as David the sauna guy!

I'm already known as David the rocket guy. The mobile sauna is a great way to showcase the rocket tech.

thomas rubino wrote:Hi David;
In ten years you sell the whole business for a cool couple million and move on to your next cool invention!

Watch this space!

Aldo Caine wrote:Incredible job, looks great. What did you end up using for insulation? That's where I got stuck with my build (electric for now, but would like to make it rockety). I didn't feel comfortable with anything from the hardware store at high temperatures, so I just have wood with no insulation. Thanks

Insulation is not optional, imo. I used a layer of 'building-foil' insulation, and a product called 'Isotherm' in South Africa. The latter only reaches to about the bottom foot of the sauna walls, but is more than sufficient. In colder climates, I'd go all the way, and probably use the thickest option available!

Correction;   Now you will be David the Rocket sauna guy!

I love it!! So inspiring.
Whats the temp inside?

Jubilee Fly wrote:I love it!! So inspiring.
Whats the temp inside?

I still have not sourced a decent thermometer, but when I do, I'll let you know.

I have definitely got it "too hot" for some allegedly regular sauna users... including myself!

Hey David, you all are in the middle of the heating season. How is the rocket sauna working for you?