solar shower

[chasfromnorfolk]

I did search this - honest...

has anyone come across a neat solar-powered (and presumably stored) system for, say, a static caravan that's a possible diy project?

I have an "instant heat" Calorgas-powered one that pumps (via a solar-maintained battery) from a Aqua-roll tank that's ok, but something less "commercial" would be welcome in the woodland setting - it's private, so third-party interference isn't a problem (hopefully). Water does have to be Aqua-rolled in.

Chas

[martin]

http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=115&catID=116  - I've had one, they work a treat!

[Justme]

I have the 20 x 58mm tube version with the header tank & inner coil. Like this one http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=121&catID=116 but with 20 tubes.

It provided all the hot water for a family of 4 for 3/4's of the year & pre heated the water for the rest.
In summer we would often see temps of well over 80c.

It for sale now as we have moved in to our main residence now so dont use the static it was plumbed into.

Cost us over £800 but looking for £300 collected & self dismantled.
(could be moved as is in a large van)

There are a few threads in here that show the unit. I will try to find them.

[chasfromnorfolk]

Thanks Martin, Justme... I have a hankering for a cabin in my little bit of woodland and while both of those may be fine connected to a mains supply, they are over spec'd for the occasional use and off-mains location.

By way of info though (just making me aware of their existence gets the old cogs turning): what is the likely recovery rate of these sort of units for shower use in the (sunny) daytime?

Chas

[desperate]

Chas,

When we go backpacking for a few days on long distance footpaths we take a solar shower which is basically a plastic bag with a black rear surface and a shower rose outlet on a short length of tubing. It holds 15 litres, we used to hang it on top of the tent for a day and bingo, hot water. I think I bought it at Blacks or field and trek or similar. The problem for us was that the tent spent all day in the rucksack so we didn't use the solar shower all that much, but on the odd occasion it was quite good, if a bit tricky trying to have a shower out in the open without getting arrested.
I'll see if I can find it and post a piccy if you like.

Desp

[chasfromnorfolk]

Cheers, Desp - I think I can grasp the idea, and as we have a Black's currently open nearby, I'll go research!

Chas

[Justme]

I have a hankering for a cabin in my little bit of woodland and while both of those may be fine connected to a mains supply, they are over spec'd for the occasional use and off-mains location.

Why?

We are off grid. The unit consumes no added power above that the water supply pump is already using (ok might increase the pumps consumption slightly). Needs no controller, pump, elec vales ect. We did add a 12v powered display for the temp.

Given enough head you would not even need the flow pump.

[chasfromnorfolk]

Was hoping you'd get back in Justme... I've been looking at the prospect of getting a connection to the field cattle-trough supply about 100 yards away in the meantime: looks possible.
So, back a post or two, if this was connected to a permanent supply, on a good day, what's the recovery time between showers?

Chas

[martin]

On the one we had, it contained 90 litres of water, more than sufficient for at least a couple of good showers every day during the warmer months of the year - if you were really frugal you could have several, especially if it was hot enough to need a lot of cold water mixed with it for showering.....

[Justme]

So, back a post or two, if this was connected to a permanent supply, on a good day, what's the recovery time between showers?

Chas

In summer we could have 4 long showers one after the other & still have enough hot water for normal daily washing up & personal use.

[Ki Lo Watt]

Here is my cobbled together solar shower I used last summer



I knew that off cut of 22mm and unwanted shower head would come in useful one day!