@WeTheGRLs......I ended up not' using the sliding glass door....I went and had a piece of glass cut for the unit. I put two brackets on the front of the box to hold the glass in place....Thanks for the comment.
Nice video. Two quick questions if I may. One, why is the drain outlet on the tank at the same end as the water in and outlet? The tank I came up with has the drain at the opposite end. I have a "gas" model tank to use, should I just put plugs in these holes? Thanks. (erwilcome@gmail.com)
nice set up just an idea to reuse chest type of frizers that dont work would be a easy way to get a insulated box for free and add a glass and tank and vula a cheap and easy solar hot water just an idea
Great videos and good innovation. Thanks for sharing. I have to think that you are losing more from reflectivity in your box than you are gaining from heating the back of the tank. I would pain everything in the box flat black. The heat gain would be significant and the reflective loss less. Just like the old Rolling Stones song, man, "Pain it black!!!"
I have thought about painting the inside black, but the water already get's 140+ degrees. I can't see needing it to get any hotter. Although that might be a great idea during winter. This summer I have been able to leave the power to household water heater shut off. The only time I have turned the power on, was when we had a couple of days in a row of rain. Other than that, this solar water heater works very well.
Love your videos! I live in Ohio, and was thinking about building one of these for myself. We have extremely cold winters here, and was wondering how I could prevent the pipes from freezing during the winter weather. Perhaps I could bypass the solar water heater altogether during the really cold spells. Any ideas? Thanks.
Yea, If I were you I would bypass the solar heater in your type of winters, and make sure you drain the unit well for winter. Here in Florida we don't get harsh winters, and the unit works well in the winter. Of course, it doesn't work as well as the summer time but every little bit helps. During winter I get an average temp of 90-100 degrees, and in summer I'm getting 140+. This is just the temp inside the box. I have no way of measuring the real water temp. Thanks for the comment.
when you first started did you just get a water heater and take the outer case off? so the remains are basically the guts of a normal water heater. thanks for all the info you can give
I did not put an extra drain on the tank for measuring temp, because before I hooked the unit to the house I tested the unit a few days and drew off water that was between 130-150 degrees. (during summer) That would be a good idea though, that way temp could be checked year round.
Cool videos... great idea with insulating the water heater! I live further North so I am not sure if this solar heater would work year round here. (The insulation will though!) Great tip!
Great Information, do you just use the pressure of the incoming water to push out the Hot water from the Solar tank to t he Inside Tank and then into the House for use?....I am getting parts together to make one using 140 ft of 3/8" staniless tubing, just can't seem to find a good solar circulator pump at a good price.
I'm building a Bread Box and starting to cut the forms to hold up the tank. I did a little research and then called the lumber store. They said that eventually the wood will dry out and burn in a Bread Box. I'm concerned about that. I was thinking about insulating the wood with leftover Polyurethane from the heater sleeve and then cover with the reflective material. What do you think about all this? tnx for any help.
I'm glad to hear your building one. just put a good coat of paint inside and out and it will be fine. Insulate the inside well, to hold the heat.and get a good cover for the top. as you know heat rises, and thats where most heat escapes. You will have no problem with the wood burning. The hottest temp I've recorded so far was 160 deg. I could see a problem if the inside stayed wet all the time, or not putting a fresh coat of paint on the outside every year or so.
I am able to go weeks with the power off. but of course if it rains a few days I have to power it back on. Only two of us live in the house. If you have more people than that ,the power would have to stay on. Or more tanks would be needed.
Very awesome, have you thought about using a fresnel lens for the top to increase heating even more for when sun is not as strong.. I just think it would make the system more efficient though their is a limit to how hot you can get the tank right.
When I get my conventional water heater, I think I'll plumb the Bread Box hot out directly into the Cold Intake into the conventional water heater. That way any water going into the conventional tank is already preheated (on sunny days, that is) from the Bread Box action.
Yes, that way would be the correct way to hook it up. I hope you're have fun building yours'. I've watched a few of your videos and it looks like your doing a fine job. "good luck"
Tnx. I've decided to install a second window in the front, especially for winter use. The sun here is so low in the south during winter, I'm only get readings of 100 degrees. I know I can get better with more of the tank exposed.
I don't know if you addressed this in the build (or I missed it) but what about the dip tube? With the heater on it's side the entire tank heats up but when hot water is used it is replenished with cold water. This may cause a loss of efficiency. If the heater was placed in a reclining or standing position, the cold water would be introduced in the bottom of the tank while the hot is taken off the top. But you seem to be using it with no problem so I guess this is just food for thought.
Your right, one thing I didn't address is the position of the solar tank inside the heater. I do have the tank in a reclining position inside the box, with the top of the tank higher than the bottom, and the hot output on top. When I was testing the unit
in my first video I drew off 20 gallons of all hot water, I would have drew more but I didn't want to waist anymore water, because I saw that It provided plenty of hot water. The top of the tank is about 3" higher than the bottom..
I ended up not using a sliding glass door. I went and had a piece of thicker glass cut to size. I dont have all the dimensions
written down, but I've had so many people ask for the measurements I might make another short video showing all the measurements. And many of the fine details that went in to building it. If you have a little bit of wood working skills, you'll do just fine. I'll try to get that video made asap....... Todd/backyardsolar
Thanks for the video, it explains really well how one should be constructed and adapted to one's needs. I especially like the the three way valve, and was easy to picture for those that are visual.
It is amazing how many projects can be simply made without the need for special equipment that can save homeowners thousands of dollars per year. A good example of that is the pop can heater. I am planning on building a few of them once I become a homeowner. Mike, London, On.
Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you like my video. The unit has worked very well for me. I would love to build the soda can heater, but it stays hot here in Florida way more than cold.
Thanks for the comment.... Its was alot of fun to build. And the best thing is that when your done and see how good it works, its one of those projects you feel good about and it gives you something everyday.
Somethings I forgot to mention in the video are: I have been able to go weeks with the power shut off to the electric water heater,But if it rains, I have to turn the power on. During the winter it did heat the water fairly well, but I did have to leave the power on all winter. Only two of us live here, so we don't use alot of hot water. So during the summer
when it doesn't rain, it provides all our hot water. If you have three or more people, you most likely would need to leave the power on.
If you elevate your tank, on the inside, to above the tank on the tank on the outside. All of your hot water, on the outside, will rise to the tank on the inside, with no extra pumps. The hottest temp I have ever had was 170 deg F. The whole month of June, I had water so hot the next morning, that I had to mix cold with it. Since May, 09, my solar hot water system has never went cold.
Excellent! How did you install/attach the sliding glass door on top?
WeTheGRLs 8 months ago
@WeTheGRLs......I ended up not' using the sliding glass door....I went and had a piece of glass cut for the unit. I put two brackets on the front of the box to hold the glass in place....Thanks for the comment.
BACKYARDSOLAR 8 months ago
These videos are great. I am definetly considering this doing this.
Iemota21 9 months ago
I totally love what you have done here.
I want to have one built. Will you please work with my husband to get me one done?
frugalnanny 10 months ago
Nice video. Two quick questions if I may. One, why is the drain outlet on the tank at the same end as the water in and outlet? The tank I came up with has the drain at the opposite end. I have a "gas" model tank to use, should I just put plugs in these holes? Thanks. (erwilcome@gmail.com)
nighttrainskull 11 months ago
This is my next project after i finish my big can heater!!! great videos!
nx2overide 1 year ago
nice set up just an idea to reuse chest type of frizers that dont work would be a easy way to get a insulated box for free and add a glass and tank and vula a cheap and easy solar hot water just an idea
the cheap guy
iwantosavemoney 1 year ago
Great videos and good innovation. Thanks for sharing. I have to think that you are losing more from reflectivity in your box than you are gaining from heating the back of the tank. I would pain everything in the box flat black. The heat gain would be significant and the reflective loss less. Just like the old Rolling Stones song, man, "Pain it black!!!"
landslave 1 year ago
I have thought about painting the inside black, but the water already get's 140+ degrees. I can't see needing it to get any hotter. Although that might be a great idea during winter. This summer I have been able to leave the power to household water heater shut off. The only time I have turned the power on, was when we had a couple of days in a row of rain. Other than that, this solar water heater works very well.
BACKYARDSOLAR 1 year ago
Love your videos! I live in Ohio, and was thinking about building one of these for myself. We have extremely cold winters here, and was wondering how I could prevent the pipes from freezing during the winter weather. Perhaps I could bypass the solar water heater altogether during the really cold spells. Any ideas? Thanks.
OhioBuckeye611 1 year ago
Yea, If I were you I would bypass the solar heater in your type of winters, and make sure you drain the unit well for winter. Here in Florida we don't get harsh winters, and the unit works well in the winter. Of course, it doesn't work as well as the summer time but every little bit helps. During winter I get an average temp of 90-100 degrees, and in summer I'm getting 140+. This is just the temp inside the box. I have no way of measuring the real water temp. Thanks for the comment.
BACKYARDSOLAR 1 year ago
kool
dmacosta1 2 years ago
when you first started did you just get a water heater and take the outer case off? so the remains are basically the guts of a normal water heater. thanks for all the info you can give
hd1200cs 2 years ago
That's what I did. See my part 1 video.
Thanks for the e-mail.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
no drain on the tank so you can measure temp?
paullie6719 2 years ago
I did not put an extra drain on the tank for measuring temp, because before I hooked the unit to the house I tested the unit a few days and drew off water that was between 130-150 degrees. (during summer) That would be a good idea though, that way temp could be checked year round.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Cool videos... great idea with insulating the water heater! I live further North so I am not sure if this solar heater would work year round here. (The insulation will though!) Great tip!
armanflint 2 years ago
that is so awesome
reivaj077 2 years ago
Great Information, do you just use the pressure of the incoming water to push out the Hot water from the Solar tank to t he Inside Tank and then into the House for use?....I am getting parts together to make one using 140 ft of 3/8" staniless tubing, just can't seem to find a good solar circulator pump at a good price.
thanks, you gave me some ideas.
kchedville 2 years ago
Yes, I'm only using the regular water pressure coming into the house....no kind of pumps at all.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
I'm building a Bread Box and starting to cut the forms to hold up the tank. I did a little research and then called the lumber store. They said that eventually the wood will dry out and burn in a Bread Box. I'm concerned about that. I was thinking about insulating the wood with leftover Polyurethane from the heater sleeve and then cover with the reflective material. What do you think about all this? tnx for any help.
KasinH 2 years ago
I'm glad to hear your building one. just put a good coat of paint inside and out and it will be fine. Insulate the inside well, to hold the heat.and get a good cover for the top. as you know heat rises, and thats where most heat escapes. You will have no problem with the wood burning. The hottest temp I've recorded so far was 160 deg. I could see a problem if the inside stayed wet all the time, or not putting a fresh coat of paint on the outside every year or so.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
how about the presure vavle do you have this blocked off or is it jus ran outside of the "bread box" and is not shown?
damanbaird 2 years ago
Yes I have a pvc pipe connected to the pressure valve ran out of the box.
No it's not blocked, and could be used if needed.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Great work. Very interesting... Could you run all your hot water on that without the electric water heater?
luc59457 2 years ago
I am able to go weeks with the power off. but of course if it rains a few days I have to power it back on. Only two of us live in the house. If you have more people than that ,the power would have to stay on. Or more tanks would be needed.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Very awesome, have you thought about using a fresnel lens for the top to increase heating even more for when sun is not as strong.. I just think it would make the system more efficient though their is a limit to how hot you can get the tank right.
luc59457 2 years ago
Very nice job and really informative vid! I hadn't thought of making this type of a hot box until i saw it.
One thing, though ... are the pipes going into the house pvc or copper? On the video they look like pvc.
evadnosliw 2 years ago
The pipes are PVC.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
When I get my conventional water heater, I think I'll plumb the Bread Box hot out directly into the Cold Intake into the conventional water heater. That way any water going into the conventional tank is already preheated (on sunny days, that is) from the Bread Box action.
KasinH 2 years ago
Yes, that way would be the correct way to hook it up. I hope you're have fun building yours'. I've watched a few of your videos and it looks like your doing a fine job. "good luck"
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Tnx. I've decided to install a second window in the front, especially for winter use. The sun here is so low in the south during winter, I'm only get readings of 100 degrees. I know I can get better with more of the tank exposed.
KasinH 2 years ago
Nice job. I'm thinking about making that my next project...
matrixm777 2 years ago
Nice heater!
bloggycreek 2 years ago
I don't know if you addressed this in the build (or I missed it) but what about the dip tube? With the heater on it's side the entire tank heats up but when hot water is used it is replenished with cold water. This may cause a loss of efficiency. If the heater was placed in a reclining or standing position, the cold water would be introduced in the bottom of the tank while the hot is taken off the top. But you seem to be using it with no problem so I guess this is just food for thought.
odius94 2 years ago
Your right, one thing I didn't address is the position of the solar tank inside the heater. I do have the tank in a reclining position inside the box, with the top of the tank higher than the bottom, and the hot output on top. When I was testing the unit
in my first video I drew off 20 gallons of all hot water, I would have drew more but I didn't want to waist anymore water, because I saw that It provided plenty of hot water. The top of the tank is about 3" higher than the bottom..
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
How about double glazing the top so you dont need to cover it at night.
Hamish121212 2 years ago
did you use a sliding glass door ? what were the dimensions of your box? if you dont mind...thanks
centervilletn 2 years ago
I ended up not using a sliding glass door. I went and had a piece of thicker glass cut to size. I dont have all the dimensions
written down, but I've had so many people ask for the measurements I might make another short video showing all the measurements. And many of the fine details that went in to building it. If you have a little bit of wood working skills, you'll do just fine. I'll try to get that video made asap....... Todd/backyardsolar
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Thanks for the video, it explains really well how one should be constructed and adapted to one's needs. I especially like the the three way valve, and was easy to picture for those that are visual.
It is amazing how many projects can be simply made without the need for special equipment that can save homeowners thousands of dollars per year. A good example of that is the pop can heater. I am planning on building a few of them once I become a homeowner. Mike, London, On.
msamour 2 years ago
Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you like my video. The unit has worked very well for me. I would love to build the soda can heater, but it stays hot here in Florida way more than cold.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
great video..im building one ...very good design ive already collected my materials.
centervilletn 2 years ago
Thanks for the comment.... Its was alot of fun to build. And the best thing is that when your done and see how good it works, its one of those projects you feel good about and it gives you something everyday.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Somethings I forgot to mention in the video are: I have been able to go weeks with the power shut off to the electric water heater,But if it rains, I have to turn the power on. During the winter it did heat the water fairly well, but I did have to leave the power on all winter. Only two of us live here, so we don't use alot of hot water. So during the summer
when it doesn't rain, it provides all our hot water. If you have three or more people, you most likely would need to leave the power on.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
If you elevate your tank, on the inside, to above the tank on the tank on the outside. All of your hot water, on the outside, will rise to the tank on the inside, with no extra pumps. The hottest temp I have ever had was 170 deg F. The whole month of June, I had water so hot the next morning, that I had to mix cold with it. Since May, 09, my solar hot water system has never went cold.
SSparks555 2 years ago