Pengeringan Eceng Gondok Menggunakan Solar Crop Drying

Abstract

Eichornia Crassipes (water hyacinth) is a water plant that grows in swamps, lakes, reservoirs and rivers that flow calmly. As a result of rapid growth and each stigma can produce about 500 seeds or 5000 seeds per flower stalk, so that Eichornia Crassipes can threaten the ecosystem in the swamp or lake. One effort made to reduce the growth of Eichornia Crassipes is to craft materials. The drying phase is needed to reduce the water content in Eichornia Crassipes in order to make handicraft material. Therefore, made Solar Crop Drying to shorten the drying time of Eichornia Crassipes and minimize the use of electrical energy from the outside. This tool is provided with an additional fan, heater, solar panel controlled with an arduino mega 2560 that can create smaller drying times and places with quality superior results from regular drying. From the results of tests that have been done, this tool is able to dry Eichornia Crassipes weighing 50 to 60kg with a time difference of 1 to 2 days faster with a more narrow drying room than regular drying. If the electrical energy generated by the solar panel does not meet the demand for electrical energy for the system then it can use electrical energy from PLN power supply at a cost of less than Rp 34.000,00 per month.