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Post Info TOPIC: Solar shower bag
Cruising Cruze


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I came across this  And I tough that the black side up was the right way.

It really got me confused, the black side always worked for me

 

 

solar shower bag
 heat test 

 

    We bought two of the solar shower bags you fill with water & place in the sun to warm the water. We noticed on one bag it said to fill with water & place the clear side up while the other said to place the black up.

    An experimented was needed. We filled both with water, removing as much air as possible & then placed them as per the instructions. After a couple of hours, the one placed clear side up was warm, while the one placed black side up was still cool.

    We then decided to turned the clear side up instead and after an hour this bag was warm enough to use for a shower.

 

 

solarpack1_small.JPG

 

solarpack2_small.JPG

clear side up

black side up

 

solarpack3_small.JPG

 

solarpack4_small.JPG

heating as per instructions

both clear side up

 

 

 

cheers John



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jules47


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Well, how interesting! I always thought that the black side was up because black or dark colours absorbed the sun, whereas clear or white reflected the sun away!!

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Weedy Pigeon


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If anybody wants 2 for nothing I left a couple hanging on a tree at the Crows Nest NP in 1994.

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Cupie


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Weedy Pigeon wrote:

If anybody wants 2 for nothing I left a couple hanging on a tree at the Crows Nest NP in 1994.

 Left by accident or frustrated intent?

 

I too would have thought that black side up was better.  So there you go.



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Gerty Dancer


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I'd have to get ours out to check, but I think its black on both sides?

The solar hot-water system on the roof has clear glass on top, black underneath. (its not working today in the rain!)

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Weedy Pigeon


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Cupie wrote:
Weedy Pigeon wrote:

If anybody wants 2 for nothing I left a couple hanging on a tree at the Crows Nest NP in 1994.

 Left by accident or frustrated intent?

 

I too would have thought that black side up was better.  So there you go.

 Left by accident but didn't miss them one bit. Just when you need hot water the most [ when the days are cool and minimum sun ] is when they are at their least effective.



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jules47


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They weren't at Crows Nest in 2009 - last time I was there!!!!!! Somebody must have stolen them!!!!!!

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jules
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Duh


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I think mine (never used it yet) is black on both sides, maybe a newer or later brand has the clear side after they found the clear side is better for heating.

I remember reading (on here I think) only to put the amount of water in them you need for the shower as they heat up a lot quicker, also placing the bag on a surface that attracts heat (such as your car bonnet or roof) helps with getting them hot.



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Mobi Condo


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For my 2c worth re black up or clear up.
We have two as well (both with the opposing instructions) and found clear side up best - the "science" behind is that the solar energy will penetrate the clear into the water and get to the absorbing black to radiate into the water as well = double hit from the one penetration.
Looking forward to other inputs.
Cheers Mobi aka Ian & Sally

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GaryKelly


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True, Vic - the old car bonnet trick. Cat's don't lie. But with regard to the black vs clear surface of the bag, perhaps the clear acts as a conductor if it's on the ground, so as the water heats with the black side up, the heat is lost back into the ground through the clear side. Juz thinkin aloud. I wasn't too flash at science.

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justcruisin01


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Mobi Condo wrote:

For my 2c worth re black up or clear up.
We have two as well (both with the opposing instructions) and found clear side up best - the "science" behind is that the solar energy will penetrate the clear into the water and get to the absorbing black to radiate into the water as well = double hit from the one penetration.
Looking forward to other inputs.
Cheers Mobi aka Ian & Sally

 Sounds right to me, sun penetrates through clear side & water to the black, heat rises back throught he water .

Dont have one but makes sense.



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Duh


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GaryKelly wrote:

True, Vic - the old car bonnet trick. Cat's don't lie. But with regard to the black vs clear surface of the bag, perhaps the clear acts as a conductor if it's on the ground, so as the water heats with the black side up, the heat is lost back into the ground through the clear side. Juz thinkin aloud. I wasn't too flash at science.

 Me neither Gary......but sounds good to me!! We all know how hot car surfaces get on a sunny day, so I'll go with the cat too ! LOL smile



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Cruising Cruze


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Thank you all for your opinion

really an surprise to me to have the clear side up,
I always had to put cold water with it after 3 hrs or so in the sun
we will test it out next time we go out
never to old to learn new tricks

Cheers John

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glassies


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yep been working with them for years its clear side up for sure, took em to the cape and
territory over many years work a treat when its realy hot, they actualy get too hot to use
some times.

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