Take a chest cooler, put a DC incandescent lamp and a small fan in it.
 Knowing the efficiency of an incandescent lamp, you can calculate the
energy released as heat.  Knowing the R-value of the cooler, you can
calculate the heat loss of the cooler at a given temperature
difference between the cooler and the ambient room temperature.  Up
the power on the lamp until the lamp's thermal emissions are equal to
the cooler's thermal losses at the desired temperature.  The fan
attempts to assure a uniform temperature.

It may be easier to assemble a box out of home insulation foam sheets,
since those have a well R-value and you can more easily calculate the
surface area of your nice square box.

Random idea, no idea of it's validity or accuracy.  Quick, cheap, and
probably VERY easy to realize (especially using a DC lamp to eliminate
power factor from the equation).

Mike H.

On 6/26/07, David Novak <novakd@dajac.com> wrote:
> I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone suggest a
> cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?
>
> A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
> solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.
>
> Thanks,
> David
>
>
> =============================
> David Novak
> Dajac Inc.
> 17152 Shadoan Way
> Westfield, IN  46074
>
> Email: novakd@dajac.com
> Phone: 317-258-0223
> Fax: 317-867-1888
>
> www.dajac.com
>
> Hardware/Software Consulting
> Headlamp Alignment Equipment
> =============================
>
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