Good point KasinH, if thats the case, I bet lining the sides with Mirrors would really help then.... I know you get sunburned a lot faster from Sun reflecting off the water, I am sure reflecting onto a Black surface would be raise the Temp of the Tank surface.
You and think alike in the mirror idea. I had a few larger mirrors and had considered putting them in - just to see, you know? But for now, I'll stick with the reflective lining for a year and see what it gets me. This is so new, it is still a mystery to unravel.
Thanks for the update Kasin. I've seen people getting 130-140 out of them, but I have always intended to build one as a pre-heater for my standard electric water heater. Any btu's you can save, have to shave that bill a little. Do you get full, wide open sun to your heater, or is there a building, or tree blocking part of the days rays?
Yes! That is one of the reasons I built mine. Due to low angle of winter sun, my Bread Box is in workshop shadow for most of the morning. 10:00 a.m., shadow gives way to a little sun starting on the west side. 12:00 noon, box is in full sun and stays that way until approx. 3:30 or 4:00. This box will do much better from Spring - early Fall. I'm going to build another heater on the south side of my workshop soon. Yes, partially blocked by top of dead tree limbs. I'm trimming in January.
Sorry, kchedville. I did respond, but it didn't appear on the page. I don't think it would help painting the inside box black. The entire rear of the tank would be in shadow if there were no reflecting sides.
@KasinH, I was wondering could the copper pipes be substituted using pvc & cpvc?
nourahrmumeenslave 8 months ago
Good point KasinH, if thats the case, I bet lining the sides with Mirrors would really help then.... I know you get sunburned a lot faster from Sun reflecting off the water, I am sure reflecting onto a Black surface would be raise the Temp of the Tank surface.
kchedville 2 years ago
You and think alike in the mirror idea. I had a few larger mirrors and had considered putting them in - just to see, you know? But for now, I'll stick with the reflective lining for a year and see what it gets me. This is so new, it is still a mystery to unravel.
KasinH 2 years ago
Thanks for the update Kasin. I've seen people getting 130-140 out of them, but I have always intended to build one as a pre-heater for my standard electric water heater. Any btu's you can save, have to shave that bill a little. Do you get full, wide open sun to your heater, or is there a building, or tree blocking part of the days rays?
GoatHollow 2 years ago
Yes! That is one of the reasons I built mine. Due to low angle of winter sun, my Bread Box is in workshop shadow for most of the morning. 10:00 a.m., shadow gives way to a little sun starting on the west side. 12:00 noon, box is in full sun and stays that way until approx. 3:30 or 4:00. This box will do much better from Spring - early Fall. I'm going to build another heater on the south side of my workshop soon. Yes, partially blocked by top of dead tree limbs. I'm trimming in January.
KasinH 2 years ago
Hi Kasi, Thats about the temp I thought you might get with your set-up. Do you think it would help if you painted the whole inside Black???
kchedville 2 years ago
Sorry, kchedville. I did respond, but it didn't appear on the page. I don't think it would help painting the inside box black. The entire rear of the tank would be in shadow if there were no reflecting sides.
KasinH 2 years ago