Bamboo Shower Update- 50 Gal Solar Hot Water Tank (Part 3)

[Brie217]

What state are you in? How many acres do you have? I'm trying to figure out where to go off-grid.

[Plaastek]

inspiring bro! keep going!

[niamh2739]

does the plexy glass leach any chemicles into the water when heated by the sun?

[Plaastek]

@niamh2739 Plexiglass/lexan/perspex/polyc­arbonate/recycle code 7 is some of the worst plastic for food/water. it leaches bisphenol A into the water which damages the reproductive system among other things. the only safe plastics are polyethylene (2/4) and polypropylene (5). ALL other plastics are pretty freakin nasty.

[KingRyltar]

to solve the problem of the goats getting out and taking off. As they do in asia, put them on a lease, and stake them to the area you wish for them to clear, ie eat.

works wonders, and no harm to the goats.

what state are you in by the way?

[bmuldersmayday]

I'm jealous, You have land.  I live in a house in NYC and it really sucks. Space is the final frontier lol

[pocketsofthefuture]

We were in a 2 bedroom, cockroach infested apartment just 6 years ago.

[GUILDGOB]

Very beautiful piece of land. Reminds me of home.

[HortonKansas]

I am building a solar heater now 100 gal if i added a small pump solar powered to move the water around in the tank would that aid in anyway the water will be fed to house by gravity and i am hoping to at least use it for showering and dish washing i also plan to add a tank for collecting rain water as of June 2008 i will have enough solar power to run my PC and 1/2 lighting i wiould love to be at least 80% solar in 2 years its a little costly and doing most with recycled and donated materials

[pocketsofthefuture]

Do you have video on this? I am hoping to put a radiant floor heating system in the cob meditation building and I want to use a solar hot water tank and pump but need more information. Where did you get the pump? and how are you building the tank? thanx.

[HortonKansas]

I don't post videos anymore showing my home had an issue after posting under old name someone tried stealing my solar power supplies i use a recycled stainless steel water tank from an old large boat all material is recycled or donated it's all hard piped i use a solar cover section for a swimming pool to help heat the water on sunny days going to try using a mirror next focused on the tank how much area are you trying to heat will give you an idea on tank size and amount of water needed

[pocketsofthefuture]

Thank for your response.

[petscanning]

I took a 50 gallon barrel. It came from sprite co. and it had a nice lemon lime smell to it. I painted it black and put it in a area that gets sun all day. Put a spicket at the top this will be your hottest water and a spicket at the bottom and I have it hooked to the facet for pressure and refill. The barrel in the summer can get towards 130degrees. You can build another line from your facet and do a small mixture so you dont burn yourself. Can cover at night for heat retention. Very sturdy

[pandral22]

Just a thought on alternative plumbing... You could feed a water inlet and outlet from the top. The inlet tubing would go down to the bottom of the tank and be fed via a float valve, and the outlet toward the top, since heated water rises toward the top; or just do an outlet like you've got, but go in from the top, and prime the flow with a siphon.

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[pocketsofthefuture]

Thank you for your suggestion. I had a similar idea or at least I had the first part that the water on top was hotter. However, the problem is that the water pressure on the bottom is greater and I need the water pressure to move the water to the shower. The tank sprung a leak a few weeks ago and I will make some adjustments then.

[pandral22]

Actually, the water pressure won't change if I understand correctly. Although you have less water depth toward the top, you're feeding from a higher point. I think you get the same pressure no matter where the outlet hose is in the tank, but I don't know the physics behind it... Thanks again for sharing your experiences!

[premoderne]

And...one last thought...an agrarian lifestyle is extremely important to teach our children that they can, even at a young age, be "producers" rather than just "consumers". No need for manufactured models of building self esteem. They are REALLY needed as part of the family enterprise.

[pocketsofthefuture]

Thank you for your supportive comment. My wife and I like your line about them becoming producers instead of consumers. In fact she is going to write a blog post about it. Yes, on a farm or homestead the children really are needed and they learn about responsibility by actually being responsible. In fact all character qualities come into play and there are real consequences when those character qualities are not used i.e the animals not getting fed or watered and so forth.

[MyerstownFarm]

Agree'd!!! Farms in the old days people helped each other and the children were part of the long term goal of a farm. They needed to learn how to carry it on to servive. We need to instill that it is still needed to survive so they dont get the "I'll just go to the store and buy it" syndrome.

[premoderne]

I will add that agrarian living is very integrated with home education. Children learn to have a passion for learning when they experience it for themselves in their day-to-day work and play.

[pocketsofthefuture]

The experiential environment is a great teaching aid in all subjects. It is a pity that our society has so moved so drastically away from this way of life that can so powerfully shape minds and hearts for the good.

[premoderne]

Just a note to say how much I love your videos. They are very inspirational and informative. I particularly like how you involve your children in the projects. I have similarly found that our relationships are built during those "unplanned" discussions that occur whilst doing various chores together.

[dionysusstar]

I'd love to see a day in the life of the homestead and more how to videos. I am sure there is more to maintaing and feeding the animals. I'd also like to see more about the dairy process. I love these videos, they are entertaining, inspiring, and informational. Keep 'em coming!

[pocketsofthefuture]

Thank you for all your kind comments and your interest in our videos. The videos are an excellent way to share information and experiences. We will bring you videos on all those subjects with time. Just a little over two years ago we had very little knowledge of homesteading and thought it was a lot harder than it actually is. Some time after that initial leap, a homesteading way of doing things becomes natural.

[dionysusstar]

I love that you documented the trial and errors that will go on as everyone tries to figure out how to do things on a homestead. It's gotta feel good to figure things out on your own, even thougth I am also sure it's fustrating at times! Are you concerned about mildew with the solar hot water heater, with the addition of the clear plastic which makes it not air tight?

[pocketsofthefuture]

The videos are long but we thought that giving more detail would give the videos more value. The most interesting part to me is the process of how things get made and done. The frustrating part for us comes mostly from the fact we are going against the grain. It was easier in a way when we lived in the city and the suburbs but the challenges of country life are what makes it worthwhile.

[MyerstownFarm]

Yeah in the city it doesnt blow a whole day away when you forget to pick up the nails at the hardware store in town. ha ha Gosh I cant tell you how many times I have driven 30 miles into town got what I thought was everything, came home then realized I forgot one pivital peice I needed to do the entire project and another 30 mile trip in and back wastes the whole day.

[pocketsofthefuture]

I started making lists but that always doesn't help because sometimes I haven't yet thought of all the things I am going to need. I have always disliked shopping and now more then ever especially if we are going from a farm to a strip mall. Locally we have a couple of hardware stores and more family owned businesses that are not so bad.