Community Forums

okmunky · 05-30-2020, 10:19 PM

Dave 66, where is your water pressure regulator? I busted a hose in Phoenix 4+ years ago by putting it on the coach end of the hose instead of the faucet end. Also, I would suggest a white covering over your hose unless you are fond of hot water. I have a black garden hose that heats to over 120* when the sun shines on it.

Eez Moose · 05-30-2020, 10:23 PM

Barb, is the solar hot water unit working?

BTW can't call tonight as we promised we have no cell service on either carrier in this place.

Canyon Pines RV Park is very nice and super quite for being right beside Hwy 95.

bokobird · 05-30-2020, 10:36 PM

Does your phone support WiFi calling? You could call if you have network access on it. I do it all the time on my iPhone.

Eez Moose · 05-30-2020, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bokobird

Does your phone support WiFi calling? You could call if you have network access on it. I do it all the time on my iPhone.

Supposedly it does Carl; I'm a tad dumb when it comes to this stuff, so I can't get it to work. Thanks for mentioning it.

huntnski · 05-31-2020, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eez Moose

Supposedly it does Carl; I'm a tad dumb when it comes to this stuff, so I can't get it to work. Thanks for mentioning it.

I'm guessing the definition of tad has other meanings in Canukville.

Wayne M · 05-31-2020, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eez Moose

Supposedly it does Carl; I'm a tad dumb when it comes to this stuff, so I can't get it to work. Thanks for mentioning it.

Duh!

Wayne M · 05-31-2020, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntnski

I'm guessing the definition of tad has other meanings in Canukville.

It's so nice when you are picking on someone else, and it's funny also.

A "tad" in Canuckistan is bigger than our "totally!"

PappaBull · 05-31-2020, 10:40 AM

no telephone service, I am guessing the wire wasn't long enough is a canuk smart phone push button instead of rotary dial?

Eez Moose · 05-31-2020, 10:42 AM

Totally wrong Wayne.

okmunky · 05-31-2020, 11:34 AM

Ugh, i'm still having issues with the shower control. I figure that center plastic piece is defective so I ordered a new one. Also until it rains enough to put a substantial amount of water into the tanks I’m a bit afraid to risk that much water. The tanks are down to about 350 gallons.

For those of you who don’t know what we’re talking about, I’m converting a shipping container, named Connie, into a tiny house. We’re in the desert of southern Arizona and totally off grid. I’m experimenting with a 4 inch diameter by 40' long pipe painted black that is mounted on the roof. If it works I'll have 23 gallons of very hot water when the sun shines. My concern is that the pipe won’t be able to take the heat and the water pressure together and it will spring a massive leak.

Now that I think about it, I wouldn’t lose much water as it would drain down the roof, into the gutters and back into the water tanks. Oh, yeah, my only water sources are captured rainwater or hauling it in my Smart Car from the neighbor 1/2 mile away.

Connie is also powered by 1,500 watts of solar panels and is wired primarily with 12 volt DC power and appliances. I do have an air conditioner that works off an inverter but not enough battery capacity to run it after sunset. That may have to be fixed.

Mutants Bob Caldwell and EeZ Moose and his DW, Irene, have generously been helping me with the construction. All y'all are welcome to join us here. Come and stay as long as you like. I promise not to hand you a hammer.

. Of course, that’s because there are very few nails being used here.

I have several screw guns.

bokobird · 05-31-2020, 03:30 PM

Most solar water heating systems use much smaller diameter pipe, for good reason. The larger it is, the less pressure it handles.

PVC Pipes - Pressure Ratings

I'd also be concerned about water temperature, but perhaps the smaller stuff handles that better too.

okmunky · 05-31-2020, 07:29 PM

Carl,

Thanks for the info, but I’m no engineer. Water will be pumped by a 55 psi RV water pump thru 1/2” Pex but the heater pipe is about 12’ above the pump. I'm hoping that the 4” schedule 30 pipe can take the pressure. I did put in a shut off valve so I can quickly disable it if needed or when I’m away. The worse that can happen is either the pump can’t get it up that high or the pipe leaks and the water returns to the storage tanks.

Winter of 2019, I experimented with 1/2” black pipe but it would take a roof full of pipe to get enough hot water to be useful.

Anyone want to place bets on this?

PappaBull · 05-31-2020, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okmunky

Carl,

Thanks for the info, but I’m no engineer. Water will be pumped by a 55 psi RV water pump thru 1/2” Pex but the heater pipe is about 12’ above the pump. I'm hoping that the 4” schedule 30 pipe can take the pressure. I did put in a shut off valve so I can quickly disable it if needed or when I’m away. The worse that can happen is either the pump can’t get it up that high or the pipe leaks and the water returns to the storage tanks.

Winter of 2019, I experimented with 1/2” black pipe but it would take a roof full of pipe to get enough hot water to be useful.

Anyone want to place bets on this?

hoping for the best out come but I think the roof full 3/4" or 1" pipe is the best bet, worried that the sun can not heat 4" of water. IMHO not worried about the pump at all.