Hot Water from the Sun

Wild1 · Senior Member

Hot Water from the Sun

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Sounds good Jen. Don't forget 9kg is twice as much weight added to van.

villatranquilla · Guru

How long will you be away from shops / services because a 9kg bottle running fridge full time but only turn the HWS on for a shower every second day should last about 3 weeks. Heat water for dishes on the stove. Then just use the 4.5 as the emergency backup.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Ours is diesel, engine heat or 240V from the solar panels and inverter.
A 4.5kg bottle of gas for cooking lasts us for a couple of months.

Cheers,
Peter

Wild1 · Senior Member

Thank you for your replies. It would seem that it's the hot water system that uses most of the gas. I don't have enough batteries for 240V but Diesel or solar maybe a goer.

macka17 · Guru

If you run vehicle daily.
And only basically want a shower and the dishes.

One thing to do.
is buy a small Transmission intercooler. like we have on yacht diesels
Large in\out to suit water hoses.
Be cheaper than the fancy ones they sell for motorhomers, but same thing.
Just tap it into cooling system.
and run water supply through it at speed to suit your req'd temps.
Nice shower when you stop at night.

I have a spare, never used one in garage.
but happy with current system.

Diesel heaters expensive
Plus with them and gas.
You have to carry fuel for too.
We use the HOTTAP "gas" Heater unit.
VERY happy. $350ish.

Water bags on roof Matt black, work. we used them for yrs.

Also.
I have an "Evacuated Tubes" HWS on roof of house.
VERY efficient.
Check on getting one made up with tube lengths to suit??.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Ah yes Macca - the "Solar" waterbag shower! For a number of years, I couldn't work out why they didn't heat the water when following the instructions they said "place in sun black side up".
Well I found out the truth on one of these forums - keep the clear side up! The sun then goes through the bag, water & then hits the black plastic. Result, HOT water after a short time in the sun. I still carry one.

Wild1 - a shower can be run, get wet, turn off. Then soap up, shower back on to wash off. Hair washing can be done in a bucket. As long as you don't smell too bad, no-one will say anything. We went for ten days across one of Len Beadell's roads only having a quick wash in a bowl each night (2 adults, two kids).

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sandman55 · Guru

My brother has a length of thin 50mmx50mm galv steel tube I think about 1.2metres long blocked off at one end and painted black he stands it out in the sun filled with water. He must tie it to a stake I guess so it wont tip over and then he inserts his shower pump in it and showers in a shower tent. You would obviously have to be there long enough for it to heat up.

Alfromoz · Member

Awhile ago I did see a van with a heap of black pipes on his roof. I never got a chance to catchup with him but I guess if secured properly and a little circulating pump it would work a treat.
Al