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Old 04-10-2019, 10:47 AM   #61
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1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch , California
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Test 2 of panel started at 9.15am.
This was before I started the pump.
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Old 04-11-2019, 09:29 AM   #62
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Busy day yesterday, but a real world test.
Some shading from trees both early and late in the day impacted performance.
This was about 30 mins in.
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These were the numbers at that time. Click image for larger version

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Later, about 11.40am the output had rebounded, and the bucket temp had raised significantly.
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By 3.30, when I got home, the panel was shaded again, so I stopped the test.
These were the numbers.
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Old 04-13-2019, 12:04 PM   #63
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Did one final test.
Two samples.
First one at 9.30 am .
I had just switched on the pump, so the output had started to rise.
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And by mid afternoon, it was here.
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I think I’m done testing for now, and I proved this simple panel gets it done.
Remember, the target temp was 50c/120f plus. Even on a cool day, with shading, and less than ideal sealing/framing/insulation of panel, pipes and 5 gallon bucket, this looks very promising to at the very least, preheat the water to 20c/68F above ambient.
Onto panel that will be mounted on the Airstream, with attention to frame, sealing and controls next.
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Old 04-13-2019, 12:42 PM   #64
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2017 26' Flying Cloud
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Any of you boaters used a H2O Sun Shower?
It's a bag for water, about three gallons, that was clear on one side and black on the other. Set it in the Sun and risk being burned with HOT, hot water!
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Old 04-13-2019, 12:46 PM   #65
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Yes!
Had one similar for years and used it camping and hiking. Would leave it in the sun, before we set out for the day and was always rewarded with warm/hot water to wash, or shower in. Frequently had to dilute with cold to make it bearable.

Kinda on of the reasons I am pushing ahead with this plan!
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Old 04-14-2019, 07:41 AM   #66
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1971 27' Overlander
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad View Post
Any of you boaters used a H2O Sun Shower?
It's a bag for water, about three gallons, that was clear on one side and black on the other. Set it in the Sun and risk being burned with HOT, hot water!
We had one. It was used once and thrown up the bow somewhere. Instead we use a pump up chemical sparayer. It takes 5 minutes to boil a pot of water and you get a nice hot pressure blasting shower that lasts a long time and uses very little water.
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Old 04-14-2019, 08:59 AM   #67
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1984 34.5' Airstream 345
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Anyone done a Solar Water Heating system?

For the record, I had stopped the test after the last one, but left the panel on the hood of my truck, still connected with the sensors. It was a touch warmer yesterday.... but the numbers are interesting!
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Old 01-17-2020, 01:06 PM   #68
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1972 31' Sovereign
Edmond , Oklahoma
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Argh! I have feverishly read through this thread hanging on ever test run and modification. Sweet mother of everything that is good, how does the story end? Does steve go full steam ahead (a touch of pun intended)? Is Steve's GF a happy camper? What materials win the battle, pex or copper? Does the hot glue end up drooling down the sides of the 345?
As a kid (so probably 45 years ago) we were visiting friends that lived in a neighborhood with a pool. Health codes dictated showering before entering the pool. They only had well water as their source of water at the pool. In Oklahoma, in the summer, the heat can exceed 100 for days on end. Well water pouring over your head feels like a 40 gallons of slush puppy have been dumped over you. I recall watching the family friend building a similar system to heat the water for the showers at the neighborhood pool. It was very simple, crude in comparison to this effort. I was only present for the initial test. It did and didn't work. The water was scalding hot on the first attempt. I have no idea how the effort ended but since having bought a 1972 Sovereign that has neither a water heater nor a shower, this memory has resurfaced. Showering at the public camp ground facilities is less than perfect.
Thanks for the fascinating thread.
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Old 01-18-2020, 07:50 AM   #69
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Hi,
Thanks for the laugh!
After the last and final test I felt I had proved the concept.
Yes, after leaving the plastic tubed/hot glued unit out in the sun, the glue melted and the tubes all came loose. No surprise there!
I still plan to make this a reality.
The copper unit is sitting in a corner while I work on some other stuff.
My distraction has been being able to bend sheet metal for various projects, and I’m making progress on my PV setup, which is all along the same vane.
The solar panels will be in tiltable frames to point at the sun, and so will the water heater for the same reason.
Will update when I next work on it!
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