Help With Lumber Drying Kiln

overview:

http://www.woodproductsonlineexpo.com/content_menu.php/102/lumber_dry_kiln_controls.html

Check out this site and the various links: http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WoodDrying/wood_kiln.htm You may want to rethink the wood stove! I have done solar kiln wood drying and it is the wat to go. Be sure to follow the same stacking and end grain sealing that you would with conventional kilns.

I did a lot of research for a solar-boosted lumber kiln project here that fell through. I have about 80 MB of files that I could send you on a CD.

My friend is setting the kiln up in his backyard, and doesnt have enough sun to use a solar kiln. He is also determined to heat the kiln with his woodscraps, so they dont build up in the back yard.

I think i can use the humidity control on an attic fan to exhaust the moist air at a certain humidity level.

During normal operation, what is the correct temp and humidity that i need to maintain for drying the lumber?

My friend is also set on having proper "plans" first, before building the kiln, showing needed airflow paterns, exhaust and entry points for makeup air, etc.

Temperatures vary depending on the wood to be dried, from 82ºC for hardwoods to 116º for softwoods. It is important not to dry wood too quickly! See: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-030/420-030.html

Thanks, that link helped quite a bit. charles