DIY Homemade Batch Solar Water Heater
A video describing a batch solar hot water heater I built. The water heater is currently supplying the house as a preheater to the domestic hot water heater….
12 Responses to DIY Homemade Batch Solar Water Heater
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im working on a solar water heater like yours except im going to use an old
refrigerator because it is already insulated. Ill line it with aluminum
bubble paper and paint the tank black…..im glad you posted this video…!
centervilletn
November 21, 2013 at 4:10 am
Very nice job! I don’t know why everyone in the south does not have one.
boat6868
November 21, 2013 at 4:44 am
— Cool, man. I can only hope to do half as good a job whenever I managed
to build one. One suggestion is to paint that CPVC w/ standard grade
exterior latex paint. I’ve read some places that say UV light exposure
isn’t a huge issue with CPVC, but other places say stuff like “If CPVC is
used in above-ground, outdoor applications, protection from ultraviolet
attack can be achieved by shielding or by painting the system with an
exterior-grade latex paint” so it’s up to you. It might help though.
cantecleer
November 21, 2013 at 5:19 am
You gave me an idea. I think I’ll bury mine also but I’m going to make the
box out of concrete pavers & paint them black. I might even just form it up
& pour a monolithic case. Since it’s such a small structure I can afford to
pour it thick. Thicker concrete will take longer to release the latent heat
throughout the night. I will encase the exposed exterior with several
inches of PU & to force more of the heat into the case. Such is my plan
anyway. Thanks for the idea.
Gewgul Izevil
November 21, 2013 at 6:07 am
@boat6868 My thoughts exactly.
Kyle Bostic
November 21, 2013 at 6:25 am
Check out my video if you get a chance and let me know what you think thank
you.
Bob Vance
November 21, 2013 at 6:56 am
If you do this again consider using cement board siding and rest it on a
bed of gravel that will allow water drainage. I built a batch heater for my
home and it is the sole source of hot water. There are a few days when I
can’t get enough to take a shower but it is free. Parts cost about $100 but
I could have done it for less. I’ll be posting a vid about a solar air
heater I use to provide 75% of my space heat that costs about $40. It’s a
shame more people don’t do this.
baddoggie101
November 21, 2013 at 7:08 am
I see it took quite a bit of to build this unit. I like your idea of using
radiator thermometer. Didn’t think of that. My friend did the same style of
build and is very happy with it. I decided to try something different with
mine. I left it upright and in the open so that it will receive direct
sunlight the entire day.. The walls of your batch box will only allow sun
to shine on it for a short time during the day. My hope was to give it more
sunlight thereby gaining more benefit.
Wesley Lomond
November 21, 2013 at 7:12 am
nice Kyle, i’m buildin one also, do u drain it in winter to prevent
freezing the pipes?thanks….check out my pop can fin pool heater.peace
britepipe
November 21, 2013 at 7:50 am
— P.S. Another slight problem is that your plywood is going to degrade
over time from moisture infiltration. I understand why you buried it (a
cool idea), but even just wood setting on the ground will rot eventually.
My only suggestion is to do what a lot of boating enthusiasts do… 100%
acrylic latex house paint over a smooth surface, 3 coats (at least). It
will still degrade over time and require repainting, but should last much
longer if you want to bother with it. As always, YMMV
cantecleer
November 21, 2013 at 8:09 am
@britepipe In this part of Texas it rarely gets below freezing. When it
does, insulation in the box combined with the fact that the box is
partially buried should prevent freezing. When the temperature of the water
is less coming through the system than coming straight from the well, I do
have shut off valves to bypass it. It has not yet experienced a winter, so
we will see.
Kyle Bostic
November 21, 2013 at 8:35 am
@cantecleer Sorry for the poor response time, guess I missed this comment.
The heater in the video is covered with marine grade exterior plywood that
has had several coats of exterior latex paint, just as you suggested. This
should provide years of service. Most Importantly, being able to bury the
unit made it less unsightly while easily giving it the tilt it needed.
Kyle Bostic
November 21, 2013 at 9:02 am