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REDWOOD FALLS — Your dog never had it so good in its own dog house until the K-9 Solar Lodge came along.

The environmentally friendly, alternative energy animal shelter was among many new inventions the public mulled over Friday at the 51st Annual Minnesota Inventors Congress Invention & Idea Show at the Redwood Area Community Center.

The deluxe animal shelter included Sharp 123-watt solar panel on the roof; a computer-based, 500-watt charge control system; eight-inch, R-40 roof and walls; five-pane, large air gap R30 windows, LED lights, 12 volt heat, a wireless camera and temperature monitor, passive solar entrance and cooling and heating from green vertical earth exterior soft building blocks.

Patent pending, made by Energy Remodeling and Consulting (ERC), LLC, of Eden Prairie, a fully-loaded version of the animal shelter lists at $5,995.

“My passion is getting people off the power grid,” said Rick Miller of ERC.

Aided by customer tax incentives and rebates, the firm sells and installs German-made Schuco solar hot water heating systems that heat hot water and floor heating systems.

It’s Skystream 1.8 KW wind turbines with 12-foot blades are mounted on 33-foot towers. Designed to run energy meters in reverse to create owner profits and put power back on the grid, they sell for under $14,000 installed.

With financial help from Glenwood Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 235, Grant Hanson invented a Walker Rescuer he originally built for a friend’s wife who found it difficult to walk after a serious car crash.

The steel, six-wheeled device has 3/4 inch steel rods pivoting on four ball bearings that attach to legs of the walker all the way up to the hand grips.

A dozen needle bearings form two arms that literally hug her upper body, preventing falls.

Other exhibits included:

• SmartVision eyeglasses that help students focus and enjoy learning and are advertised as helping golfers improve their game.

• Pet Collar Fun Art create color, designs and personalization.

• Slidewalker restraint assist handles with retractable cord dog leashes.

• Mountain Math engages visual and hands-on approaches to help students focus on numbers, operations, algebra, problem solving and reasoning.

• Warming bags used for pajamas, socks, gloves, blankets, towels, baby clothing and caulk.

The show includes KidWind, a hands-on energy booth, Neal James Small Engine Display, New Ulm Gem & Mineral Club exhibit and an arts exhibits.

On Saturday, the Scott-Presuuse Car & Cycle Show takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A community parade begins at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, a Rotary Fly-In Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

 

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