DIY Homemade Solar Shower

Photo by nocando at http://mrg.bz/nRlDV2

Hot showers are one of life's simple pleasures. When you're out in the boonies, bathing in rivers and lakes, you gain a new appreciation for heated water. Sporting goods manufacturers have responded to this need by offering portable solar showers to campers and backpackers. These simple devices are nothing more than a sturdy black plastic bag attached to a short hose, with a valve and sprinkler head at one end. You can build one yourself for less than $10 and take it anywhere.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Car or truck inner tube Sharp scissors Half-inch plastic pipe coupler Rubber-sealing compound Metal patching scraper Two feet of garden hose (with male connector on one end) Small clamp Water control valve Plastic sprinkler head
Car or truck inner tube
Sharp scissors
Half-inch plastic pipe coupler
Rubber-sealing compound
Metal patching scraper
Two feet of garden hose (with male connector on one end)
Small clamp
Water control valve
Plastic sprinkler head

Step 1

Cut the tube and coupler. Use your scissors to cut a centered 1/4-inch hole on the outer surface of the tube, opposite the valve stem. Dip your finger in water, stick it in the hole and spin it around to rub off any dirt. Now grab the pipe coupler and cut it in half.

Step 2

Attach the coupler to the tube. Smear a thick coating of rubber sealing compound on the small ridge of the lower half of the coupler and press it into the hole. If the fit is too tight, put the tube in direct sunlight to soften the rubber. Pull the coupler to bring the ridge in contact with the inner surface of the tube. Let the sealing compound dry in this position, for its maximum recommended time.

Step 3

Apply rubber sealer where the coupler meets the tube. Clean the outer perimeter, where the coupler protrudes from the tube, and roughen it with your scraper, like you would if you were patching the surface. Put rubber sealing compound on your finger and smear it around the area. Apply two more coats in the same way, and let the sealing compound dry for the maximum recommended time.

Step 4

Clamp the hose to the coupler. Press the end of your hose that doesn't have the male connector onto the coupler that is sticking out of the tube. If the fit is too tight, put the hose in direct sunlight to soften it up. Slide the clamp over the area where the hose attaches to the coupler, and tighten it down to hold the hose in place.

Step 5

Screw the valve and sprinkler head on the male hose connector. Spin the water control valve onto the male hose connector until it's tight. Spin the plastic sprinkler head onto the male connector of the water control valve until it's snug.

Tips & Warnings

Put a funnel in the hose to fill the tube with water.

If you sling the inner tube over a branch to gravity feed the water, make sure it doesn't have sharp points that could puncture the tube.

Resources

20-gallon Solar Heated Hot Water Heater and Shower

Article Written By Dan Eash

Dan Eash began writing professionally in 1989, with articles in LaHabra's "Daily Star Progress" and the "Fullerton College Magazine." Since then, he's created scripts for doctor and dentist offices and published manuals, help files and a training video. His freelance efforts also include a book. Eash has a Fullerton College Associate of Arts in music/recording production and a Nova Institute multimedia production certificate.

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