DIY Solar Hot Water Heater. It's All Done With Mirrors

It took a while to decode the email I received from Carroll Hampleman (you can see why below), but his home made water heater is worth the bother. Mirrors are arranged to reflect and concentrate the Sun's light onto a container of water. The older version you see above uses a kitchen clock and geared motors to track the Sun's movement throughout the day. It simply moves the array a set amount once per hour.

![25 Sq ]FtMirror.jpg](/images_blogs/gadgetlab/25 Sq ]FtMirror.jpg)Carroll followed up with another mail, this time detailing a new, improved version (the original is from the 1980s). Equally indecipherable, the second mail describes a simpler setup, with just 15 mirrors arranged in three ranks of five. A smaller three gallon tanks is used so the water heats faster. The hot water is then pumped into a tank inside the house. Carroll says that the rig provides 125ºF (52ºC) water all day long. Of course, living in Florida helps with the constant sunshine needed, but this DIY setup proves that it is both easy and cheap to move one step further off the grid.

Thanks Carroll!

Two "self-built" Solar Units. See attached E-Mail photo's. (Using the natural heat of the sun).

FOR PUBLICATION !

See attached E-Mail photo's. (Using the natural heat of the sun). I have copy of "U.S. Weather Bureau" Stations. (239). I have made a device that "times" the 220 VAC current, that, routinely, is put to the 220 Electric Hot-Water-Heater tank. "A 110 V Kitchen Clock wired IN SERIES with a small 110 V "Light Bulb": (to handle the 220 V). This shows: less than one hour per day. I pay 13.8 cents per KWH, and the heating elements are rated at 4.5 KW. COST PER DAY = (13.8 cents/KWH) X (4.5KW) X (1Hr/Day) = 62.1 cents per day.______________________________________

IF you want to be REALLY GREEN !

(self-built units) A ONE-TIME COST. (less than 50 dollars, or so?)

100% Hot-Water-Heating. Take a SOLAR SHOWER. Build your own HOT-TUB. Each Hour, ON THE HOUR, these units will slightly move - to "Aim" at the sun. And only during day-light hours. At 6PM, OFF, and "RTN East". Starts "Hourly Sun-Pointing" at 10AM. NO daily "adjustments".

One 24 Hr. TIMER, a few N/CL microswitches, and two (2 axis) "$12.50 Gear Motors". (60 RPM, Reversible, 20 in-lb Torque), 110 VAC. (available by 1-800 phone number, and credit card).

Note: The FULL SUN (1 KW/M-2) is approx. 320 BTU/Sq.Ft./Hr (BSH). One Sq.Ft. MIRROR,

(FULL SUN) reflects over 86% of the sun's heat. We learned in High School (Heat-101) that ONE BTU is that heat for ONE pound of water - ONE Degree F.

E-Mail written "Building Procedures" available.

We make our own SOLAR METERs: BTU/Sq.Ft./Hr., (BSH) or KW/M-2, (KWSM). Note: My "hand-built" PYRANOMETER (12:30 in afternoon) is now reading 275 BTU/Sq.Ft./Hr, (BSH).

/s/ Carroll H.

Charlie, I have "improved" the heat-gathering ability of these mirrors. (Now the re-circulated Solar Hot Water) is greater than 125 Degrees F. ALL DAY LONG.

(I am having my youngest son take a photo of it, and I will sent it to you)

I reduced the number of mirrors - to (three 'up-rights" of 5 each) = TOTAL of 15. (better "alignment").

I removed the 30 gallon water tank, (serving as a "PRE-HEATER), and replaced kit with a

3 Gallon (sealed) water tank. (on the theory that: if the mirrors have less water to heat up, they will heat up FASTER, and hotter). IT WORKED. I use a 30 WATT (110 V) "re-circulating" pump, on a timer, and heat up the household Hot-Water-Heater TANK. All day, today, the temp of this water was average of +100 Degree F. The outside SOLAR "irradiance" has been up to an average of 250, or so, (BTU/Sq.Ft./Hour, BSH).