Solar Power for Free

dotcouk

Thought that this was a good idea - make yourself a solar shower from junk in 10 easy steps......

Solar Powered Shower for Free.

Claims that you can get very hot water even in a british summer!!? Wow!

Ken68

Think there is something wrong with the pipe fitting instructions, Dot. Should read top of panel to top of tank and bottom of panel to bottom of tank.
My experience with solar cookers (black painted kettles and pots in a box with reflective foil) is acceptable hot water (12 litres)on very sunny days but lukewarm on overcast days.
Tho this lukewarm water is easily raised to 'dish washing' level with a small amount of hot water from the kettle.
Doubt I will get anything in winter, but possible if placed in the greenhouse.

dotcouk

Surely the water will need to flow from the top of the solar panel to the bottom then out (of the bottom of the panel) in to the top of the water tank - hot water in the tank will always stay at the top? meaning that the bottom of the tank contains the cold water that needs to feed the top of the solar panel?

Anyway, summer is over - I'll need to wait until the first spring sun before trying to build this.....

Ken68

http://www.diydata.com/techniques/solar2/solarbasic.htm

....see thermosyphon section.

dotcouk

Looks like you are right ken68! Thanks

Ken68

Started to make one dot., but went into solar cookers instead. Hardly cost anything and still getting hot water each sunny day and lukewarm at cloudy times.



This and another gives me 10 litres a day. A family would probably need a solar panel full monty.

ailuro2

That would be great to adapt to use for heating a greenhouse for the gardeners amongst us. Not sure about having a shower in the greenhouse,though:D

Ken68

Yes Ail., a bit like that contraption in It's Not Easy being Green.
Insulated heat retaining materials buried in the greenhouse, and a 5inch tube to just below roof level.
And a solar powered computer fan drawing heat into it during the day and slow release during the night.
And if it works in the greenhouse, could work in the house.