I think you should Layer paver stones along and the side. paint them balck, with the sun goes doen and you put your cover on , the radiant heat will keep the water hot overnight.
my water heater is in my garage and its 100 degress in my garage in summer,im in florida to ,i like your project and will build one too. did you insulate the box outside to. thanks
Yes, I did insulate the outside solar heater as well. For most of the summer I have had the power turned off to the electric water heater in the garage, and the solar water heater has provided all the hot water I need. The only time I have to turn the power on is when it rains a few days.
The unit is working great..Its works well in the winter too, I usually get 110 degree temps in winter, but the power to the regular water heater has to stay on during winter. But during summer the power is mostly off.
So simple and affective I just purchased 10 55 gallon plastic drums wonder it I could use these for a pressurized system. Bet I could if I sealed the bung holes with silicone then some epoxy. But then I would have the concern of the plastic interacting with the hot water and that potentially leaking some chem from plastic drum into my drinking water better to go with metal water vessel.
The sliding glass door idea is ideal...tempered glass. good build my friend. I'm going with the batch type because of the KISS aspect. A+, and I feel better now after seeing your shop, who can keep it completely when you're trying to produce!
Thanks for sharing. With fuel prices as high as they are plus its a super green technology, building one seems like a no brainer.
I built a glass porch on the south side of my house that collects a lot of heat. Heats my house when its sunny out. Check out my vid if you're interested.
That is very cool. Way cool design. Why I never thought of putting a WHOLE boiler out in the sun.
Thanks. I can already imagine it : a large discarded freezer or refrigerator big enough to house the boiler,.then build a nice frame for it with a patio storm door on hinges letting the sun in.
I'm thinking about doing one like this, only with mirror tiles on the inside, and also putting in a cooking rack where you could slow cook a roasted chicken off the grid.
Doable? I'm thinking sure thing on a hot summer day.
I'm curious as to where your relief value is at on the heater. I didn't see three exterior pipe lines, just in and out, cold and hot. What happens if the psi builds too much from all that heated water . . . ??
Oh, yes. Thank you BYS. I was wondering about the pressure. I see how you've done that now. Your BB sol. water heater is nice looking as well as practical.
I've tried to see the detail on your RMax reflective foil board in the background, but can't see it. What is the stock or upc number on that material?
I'm sorry I don't remember all the details of the insulting board. but I got it a home depot. its about an inch thick and has the refective backing. I used two layers all around the inside.
Hi, nice video. I am in preping my tank now. Can you explain the outside to inside hookup in detail? I don't understand the three valves? And what happens on cold or cloudy days ? Do you have to shut off tho outside tank? Thanks
I went to high school with a friend of mine whose family used only solar batch heated water. Never paid a dime for hot water. Of course I'd like to have a backup system for cloudy days. BTW this was in Washington MO in the early 90's.
Great video. I'm in the process of looking for my tank now. I like your new design and would like to follow it. If you don't mind, what were the specs for the frame for that one? You used a 40 gallon tank?
Hello everyone, Its April 8th 2009 and almost summer. I'm looking forward to
finally seeing how well this solar water heater works during a Florida summer. I hooked up my solar unit in Oct: 2008 so I have not seen how well it works in summer yet. I was very surprised how warm the unit got this winter. I did not measure the temp: of the water during the winter. So far" Ive had no problems with the heater. I will do a follow up video when the summer gets kicking, and do a full report. -Todd
Fantastic video. Very explicit and well thought! I made almost the same thing in 1974 but I failed to find out before hand that the steele drum I used (I could not find a used hot-water heater) could not sustain high psi!...and you've guessed was ready to blow up before I turned off the cold water input. I was also thinking of making a matrix with copper pipes but the water capacity would be very small. I'll retry your design. I THANK YOU!
Our designs are similar. If you, somehow, had the tank on the inside about 4 feet above the floor, as long as it's higher than your tank on the outside, then you will have some thermo-syphoning. Once you have this, the hot water from the outside will flow to the inside, allowing you to not only have hot water in the evening, but also the next morning, almost 24 hours later.
i know its 4 months later, but plexi-glass will warp under the extreme heat; I had some plexi-glass on a test unit, and had to put support rails on the underside to keep it from drooping, but when I start building the final version, going to use tempered glass(low iron type). But if you have it already on hand go ahead and use it, but just give it extra support, and allow room for expansion!
1) some of these inventors have used 3 mil plastic instead of glass. They say they dont need glass. Have you considered this or tested it.??
2) Instead of painting the inside walls black, would mirrors on the sides and bottom work better? That would put the direct sun and reflected sun on the tank, increasing ( in theory) the exposure to the suns heat.
Nice job. I live in Florida also, check out my videos on solar power and tell me what you think. I was going to make a batch heater like this, but my water heater is in a place inside that makes it impractical.
Just curious, would there be any increase in heat retention/generation inside of the box if the sides were also painted black. Instead of reflecting light on to the tank you would be radiating heat on to it.
I hope you are proud of yourself, cause you deserve to be. I hope you save big bucks!
sandrajeanification 5 months ago
Nice job with the batch heater and the video. John
jcanivan 8 months ago
I think you should Layer paver stones along and the side. paint them balck, with the sun goes doen and you put your cover on , the radiant heat will keep the water hot overnight.
WorldlySurvivor 11 months ago
There should be one of these in every yard in America! Would help us reduce our oil imports tremendously and would reduce greenhouse gasses.
landslave 1 year ago
my water heater is in my garage and its 100 degress in my garage in summer,im in florida to ,i like your project and will build one too. did you insulate the box outside to. thanks
joe18370 1 year ago
Yes, I did insulate the outside solar heater as well. For most of the summer I have had the power turned off to the electric water heater in the garage, and the solar water heater has provided all the hot water I need. The only time I have to turn the power on is when it rains a few days.
BACKYARDSOLAR 1 year ago
How has it worked for you . Do you plan to heat water in the winter with it ?
scoobydog411 1 year ago
The unit is working great..Its works well in the winter too, I usually get 110 degree temps in winter, but the power to the regular water heater has to stay on during winter. But during summer the power is mostly off.
BACKYARDSOLAR 1 year ago
So simple and affective I just purchased 10 55 gallon plastic drums wonder it I could use these for a pressurized system. Bet I could if I sealed the bung holes with silicone then some epoxy. But then I would have the concern of the plastic interacting with the hot water and that potentially leaking some chem from plastic drum into my drinking water better to go with metal water vessel.
cdltpx 1 year ago
Nice job, I'm not sure this would work in the Seattle area where I live. I may do some experimenting.
gchenley 1 year ago
The sliding glass door idea is ideal...tempered glass. good build my friend. I'm going with the batch type because of the KISS aspect. A+, and I feel better now after seeing your shop, who can keep it completely when you're trying to produce!
blingdorkle 1 year ago
Why did you put it up on legs? Just for looks?
paullie6719 2 years ago
I put the heater on blocks so that it could dry a lot better after it rains.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing. With fuel prices as high as they are plus its a super green technology, building one seems like a no brainer.
I built a glass porch on the south side of my house that collects a lot of heat. Heats my house when its sunny out. Check out my vid if you're interested.
paullie6719 2 years ago
That is very cool. Way cool design. Why I never thought of putting a WHOLE boiler out in the sun.
Thanks. I can already imagine it : a large discarded freezer or refrigerator big enough to house the boiler,.then build a nice frame for it with a patio storm door on hinges letting the sun in.
reivaj077 2 years ago
I'm thinking about doing one like this, only with mirror tiles on the inside, and also putting in a cooking rack where you could slow cook a roasted chicken off the grid.
Doable? I'm thinking sure thing on a hot summer day.
dougger42 2 years ago
Cover that glass with some cheap, plastic fresnel lenses and I bet efficiency improves dramatically
JonDeth 2 years ago
good sistem complimenti!!!!!!!
RossanoR 2 years ago
Well done, and well explained. I'm considering starting a solar heater project, but am torn between this 'batch' type, and the pipe system.
What made you go this route as apposed to the flat panel route?
JustifyJustin 2 years ago
I'm curious as to where your relief value is at on the heater. I didn't see three exterior pipe lines, just in and out, cold and hot. What happens if the psi builds too much from all that heated water . . . ??
KasinH 2 years ago
The relief valve is near the bottom on the back. so far the valve has never opened.
I show it on part 3
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Oh, yes. Thank you BYS. I was wondering about the pressure. I see how you've done that now. Your BB sol. water heater is nice looking as well as practical.
KasinH 2 years ago
I've tried to see the detail on your RMax reflective foil board in the background, but can't see it. What is the stock or upc number on that material?
KasinH 2 years ago
I'm sorry I don't remember all the details of the insulting board. but I got it a home depot. its about an inch thick and has the refective backing. I used two layers all around the inside.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
how many gallons is the tank ?
wingnut4427 2 years ago
30 gallons
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
cool ! thanks for the info :) Excellent rig !
wingnut4427 2 years ago
Hi, nice video. I am in preping my tank now. Can you explain the outside to inside hookup in detail? I don't understand the three valves? And what happens on cold or cloudy days ? Do you have to shut off tho outside tank? Thanks
dontlookatme9999 2 years ago
If you havent yet..check out part three of my videos for more info on the 3 way valve system.
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Thanks for the great video!
I wonder how well this could work in a winter climate
jasonwagoner2776 2 years ago
great vid, thx
txsraappraiser 2 years ago
I went to high school with a friend of mine whose family used only solar batch heated water. Never paid a dime for hot water. Of course I'd like to have a backup system for cloudy days. BTW this was in Washington MO in the early 90's.
ducksaregreat15 2 years ago
Very nice work. Some might want to consider cutting an old freezer down for the box. Hard to beat the R value on those things.
playdbluz 2 years ago
Very good video series. I like the way you explained this design.
jginalabama 2 years ago
Great video. I'm in the process of looking for my tank now. I like your new design and would like to follow it. If you don't mind, what were the specs for the frame for that one? You used a 40 gallon tank?
meatloaf1234 2 years ago
Hello everyone, Its April 8th 2009 and almost summer. I'm looking forward to
finally seeing how well this solar water heater works during a Florida summer. I hooked up my solar unit in Oct: 2008 so I have not seen how well it works in summer yet. I was very surprised how warm the unit got this winter. I did not measure the temp: of the water during the winter. So far" Ive had no problems with the heater. I will do a follow up video when the summer gets kicking, and do a full report. -Todd
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Excellent video! Very well explained. I made the same arrangement 1974 but used a steele drum and it blew up! I'll retry the design now.
I thank you
Kosmas
Hypsous 2 years ago
Fantastic video. Very explicit and well thought! I made almost the same thing in 1974 but I failed to find out before hand that the steele drum I used (I could not find a used hot-water heater) could not sustain high psi!...and you've guessed was ready to blow up before I turned off the cold water input. I was also thinking of making a matrix with copper pipes but the water capacity would be very small. I'll retry your design. I THANK YOU!
Kosmas
Hypsous 2 years ago
Any problems since the install? I wonder about the thermo-syphoning?
Is that a problem? I am going to copy the design if you don't mind.....Thanks for an awesome video!!
london1817 2 years ago
Great job, looks like it fits perfectly and was installed with the house.
hooptejoe 3 years ago
Our designs are similar. If you, somehow, had the tank on the inside about 4 feet above the floor, as long as it's higher than your tank on the outside, then you will have some thermo-syphoning. Once you have this, the hot water from the outside will flow to the inside, allowing you to not only have hot water in the evening, but also the next morning, almost 24 hours later.
SSparks555 3 years ago
I'm going to build a pop can solar heater.. I was planning on using plexi-glass, is there an advantage to using real glass?
kylehondarider 3 years ago
i know its 4 months later, but plexi-glass will warp under the extreme heat; I had some plexi-glass on a test unit, and had to put support rails on the underside to keep it from drooping, but when I start building the final version, going to use tempered glass(low iron type). But if you have it already on hand go ahead and use it, but just give it extra support, and allow room for expansion!
69slime69 2 years ago
Two questions
1) some of these inventors have used 3 mil plastic instead of glass. They say they dont need glass. Have you considered this or tested it.??
2) Instead of painting the inside walls black, would mirrors on the sides and bottom work better? That would put the direct sun and reflected sun on the tank, increasing ( in theory) the exposure to the suns heat.
Thanks for the ideas
JustAn0bserver 2 years ago
I have only used glass for the top..I have not tested plexi glass. The inside of my solar heater is a reflective foam board.
The summer here in Florida is just now starting to kick in..and I'll have a full report,
and a follow up video soon. Thanks for
all the e-mails.....
BACKYARDSOLAR 2 years ago
Nice job. I live in Florida also, check out my videos on solar power and tell me what you think. I was going to make a batch heater like this, but my water heater is in a place inside that makes it impractical.
skippy3840 3 years ago
Good work! The box might make a nice solar oven / food dehydrater with few changes.
I'm curious if this particular water heater would work in northern U.S. Anyone?
LesTrafik1 3 years ago
Nice...
Ventonator 3 years ago
I'm very impressed!
darkvader47 3 years ago
Lovely piece of equipment Todd
mostvideosolar 3 years ago
Nice job, any stats on what temps your getting?
ghutchings1 3 years ago
Good job - Wish we had your Florida sunshine.
solarhope 3 years ago
Nice work - Thats heating about 70 ltrs of water to 60/65 degrees c.
Only wish we had the same sun as you guys -lol
Keep up the good work - Martin.
solarhope 3 years ago
very nice..
mostvideosolar 3 years ago
Just curious, would there be any increase in heat retention/generation inside of the box if the sides were also painted black. Instead of reflecting light on to the tank you would be radiating heat on to it.
Yourbadnightmare 3 years ago