This project goes into the build of a DIY solar-powered pressurized roof top water heater and shower that is portable for outdoor survival and camping trips. This project is easy to make and requires only minimal tools and plumbing parts.
STEP 1 : MATERIALS REQUIRED
The dimension of the pipe used for this build is six feet tall and four-inch wide. This has a capacity of 15 liters. The materials you need to build this project are six feet long four-inch ABS pipe, air compressor, two four-inch PVC end caps, abs cement, rubber Schrader valve, shutdown valve, and retainer nut, radiator valve drain plug, Forstner bit, two-inch threaded end cap, high heat flat black paint, steel wool scrubber, methyl hydrate.
STEP 2 : INSTALLING THE SHUT-OFF VALVE AND SCHRADER VALVE
The shutoff valve is installed as low as possible in the pipe to avoid the necessity of having to tilt the system. Mark the position for the valve keeping the retainer nut in place, we insert a Forstner bit into the nut creating a center mark for the drill. Once the hole is drilled, we thread the shut-off valve into place and attach the retaining nut.
For installing an air compressor for pressurizing the tank, we use a long Schrader valve that is used for aluminum rim tires. This valve uses threaded nuts to secure it in place.
STEP 3 : OPENING FOR THE WATER INTAKE
The next step is to install the water intake opening. For this, we use a two-inch PVC threaded adapter socket. We take the diameter of the fitting and then drill out the opening and glue the fitting in place using ABS solvent cement.
STEP 4 : RADIATOR DRAIN PLUG FOR RELEASING PRESSURE
A radiator valve drain plug is installed on the threaded end cap of the water intake PVC fitting. This valve helps to release extra pressure from the tank without opening the main drain shut off.
STEP 5 : COATING WITH RUSTOLEUM BLACK PAINT
In order to improve the thermal absorption of solar energy, the surface of the ABS pipe is painted with flat black paint. The surface is polished with steel wool soaked in methyl hydrate and applied with one coat of spray primer followed by two coats of high heat Rustoleum black paint.
STEP 6 : SECURING THE SHOWER PIPE
To mount the shower onto the roof of the car or truck, we use a canoe foam block. We extend the slots in the foam block to make them fit inside the cross rails. An arc is cut on the foam block equal to the outside diameter of the pipe and positioned such that it left half an inch of foam between the mounting slot and the bottom of the arc. To attach the shower to the support pads, here we use one-inch nylon tie-down straps. With both these pads in place, the water heater is securely attached to the roof.
STEP 7 : CONNECTING HOSE AND INSTALLING AN AIR COMPRESSOR
An inexpensive 25-foot-long coiled three-eighths inch hose from the local garden center is used as the shower hose. This would be perfect as it is easily stored and can be taken apart after use. The air compressor is connected to the pipe with the help of a multifunction spray nozzle.
The bursting point of a six-inch ABS pipe is well over 100 psi. So a 30 psi would provide a safe and ample pressurized shower without any long-term expansion fatigue to the pipe or glue connections.
Image Credits : ImaginetMedia
