Kyle: Great video. This is EXACTLY the type batch (breadbox) water heater (or pre heater in the Winter time maybe) and your explanations etc were easy to follow. I have a 25 gallon tank that i FINALLY found, and I'm now ready to start building and see if mine works half as good as yours does. Thanks, Chuck
UPDATE! The solar water heater has been in use a month with no issues. Even though 160 degree water is being made, scalding has not been a issue due to even mixing with the contents of the domestic water heater. Showers have had consistently even heat. It is difficult to track energy savings because of the summer temps increasing AC use. I estimate $15-$20 a month in savings. You need one of these!!
UPDATE! The solar water heater has been in use a month with no issues. Even though 160 degree water is being made, scalding has not been a issue due to even mixing with the contents of the domestic water heater. Showers have had consistently even heat. It is difficult to track energy savings because of the summer temps increasing AC use. I estimate $15-$20 a month in savings. You need one of these!!
If you can get your hands on some fiber optics cheap do you can point one end at the dark side of your tank and the optics will trasnfer heat and light on an area that is very difficult to place light on.Winter time you place a 100w light bulb on a timer and you will have more than enough heat to prevent freeze. I would have built a larger box to reflect light all around the tank and would have some reflectors to improve solar gain. Use a infared device to find leaks on the door. Great project.
@KyleBostic You are way ahead of many including me I have not built one yet. Your water hitting the tank @ 150 will save you tons of money over time.
You might place some reflectors on there to increase solar gain a friend has a solar water heater that melts pvc pipe he has to use copper. I donot know what temps will melt the pvc hot water piping but that one he has will do it. A lady online built hers from an old hotwater heater and a frigerator and has a wonderful batch water heater.
@cdltpx Thanks. Actually I did slope the sides of the box with the intention of installing mirrors to promote solar gain. However, with the temperature of the box topping 200, the amount of gain from the hot box alone accounts for much of the heating. Think greenhouse. This is promoted with black sides. I considered the fact that a reflective material might actually bounce out some of the solar radiation if the angle was not right. My thoughts exactly on the lightbulb.
Great video!
TheOkcHandyman 3 weeks ago
Kyle: Great video. This is EXACTLY the type batch (breadbox) water heater (or pre heater in the Winter time maybe) and your explanations etc were easy to follow. I have a 25 gallon tank that i FINALLY found, and I'm now ready to start building and see if mine works half as good as yours does. Thanks, Chuck
chuck1010101 7 months ago
Where did you get the tank was it from a old water heater?
bscfrnd1 1 year ago
@bscfrnd1 Yes it is from an old electric water heater.
KyleBostic 1 year ago
Excellent work, Thanks for showing the video.
VW
VWRabbitdiesel 1 year ago
UPDATE! The solar water heater has been in use a month with no issues. Even though 160 degree water is being made, scalding has not been a issue due to even mixing with the contents of the domestic water heater. Showers have had consistently even heat. It is difficult to track energy savings because of the summer temps increasing AC use. I estimate $15-$20 a month in savings. You need one of these!!
KyleBostic 1 year ago
UPDATE! The solar water heater has been in use a month with no issues. Even though 160 degree water is being made, scalding has not been a issue due to even mixing with the contents of the domestic water heater. Showers have had consistently even heat. It is difficult to track energy savings because of the summer temps increasing AC use. I estimate $15-$20 a month in savings. You need one of these!!
KyleBostic 1 year ago
If you can get your hands on some fiber optics cheap do you can point one end at the dark side of your tank and the optics will trasnfer heat and light on an area that is very difficult to place light on.Winter time you place a 100w light bulb on a timer and you will have more than enough heat to prevent freeze. I would have built a larger box to reflect light all around the tank and would have some reflectors to improve solar gain. Use a infared device to find leaks on the door. Great project.
cdltpx 1 year ago
@cdltpx An old freezer would make a perfect box for one of these projects larger the better.
cdltpx 1 year ago
@cdltpx The size of the box in this case was determined by the size of the sliding glass door used on top.
KyleBostic 1 year ago
@KyleBostic You are way ahead of many including me I have not built one yet. Your water hitting the tank @ 150 will save you tons of money over time.
You might place some reflectors on there to increase solar gain a friend has a solar water heater that melts pvc pipe he has to use copper. I donot know what temps will melt the pvc hot water piping but that one he has will do it. A lady online built hers from an old hotwater heater and a frigerator and has a wonderful batch water heater.
cdltpx 1 year ago
@cdltpx Thanks. Actually I did slope the sides of the box with the intention of installing mirrors to promote solar gain. However, with the temperature of the box topping 200, the amount of gain from the hot box alone accounts for much of the heating. Think greenhouse. This is promoted with black sides. I considered the fact that a reflective material might actually bounce out some of the solar radiation if the angle was not right. My thoughts exactly on the lightbulb.
KyleBostic 1 year ago
nice job
glanworthmacs 1 year ago