Roof rack shower - looks cool to make

[Trex_s4m1]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1199868030/rack-mounted-solar-shower-pressurized-hot-water-on?ref=search
just saw this.. what do you guys and gals think? could be a cool project for a weekend.

[KingBilly]

I'm thinking black PVC up there would get warm enough for a shower.

KB

[ATC]

From the Kickstarter website:-

Product Description

With the Road Shower you can have pressurized water wherever you go.  It will heat the water while you drive and will be ready to give you a high pressure hot shower at the end of the day.  Hot or cold, the Road Shower has many uses from the camp hose for dishes, gear, pets, or for extra drinking water.
•  Storage capacity: Holds 5 gallons of water good for 2-3 showers
• Solar heated:  Water can heat up to 100-115 degrees.
• High Pressure:   Can be pumped with a bike pump up to 15 PSI.
• Safe: A pressure relief system is built in for safety.
•  Easy to mount: Included hardware for most all racks and factory racks.
•  Tough. Made from powder coated high quality aluminum.
•  Non toxic: You can fill it with drinking water.
• Looks great:  Cool design, flat black color, and silk screen logos.

I think these are 2 bits that gave some comfort:-
• High Pressure:   Can be pumped with a bike pump up to 15 PSI.
• Safe: A pressure relief system is built in for safety.

Here I was thinking make it from PVC with glued on end caps, and then hook up the compressor.

Might study the design a bit, could be good for weekend trips.

[austastar]

Hi,
  some thoughts.


It will chill more towards air temperature rather than solar temperature when driving.


Not the best position for weight.


Pressure will constantly drop as water exits the pressurised space.


I hope it is well baffled.


cheers

[ozbogwam]

I just use a black 40 l square water container. Drilled a hole in the kid and got an inner tube. Cut the valve and surrounding circle out if it, stuck it through the hole and sealed it with silastic. Attach an air compressor and give it a quick blast to pressurise and there you running hot water.

[evolution]

I thought people had been doing this for years anyway???
maybe not preasurised, but a black PVC tube heating up water surely??

Still some nifty ideas.

Cheers
Evo

[ATC]

Stop talking about making your own solar heated shower

He has a patent on putting heavy stuff on your roof, with a hose long enough to drag on the ground.

No one wants to be sued!

Even though people have been putting PVC painted black on their roof racks for years it's all now a patent infringment since we have a Trade Agreements with the US.

[Trex_s4m1]

It's a cool design but Yeh I'm happy with my bilge pump shower bucket. Less stuff up on the roof

[Sawed-Off]

Drilled a hole in the kid

and you use the tears as your water supply. Excellent! 

Actually, I've just shelled out for a Helton heat exchanger. A fellow at our club is selling hot water systems like the one in the OP. They -seem- like a good idea, but I'm not convinced.

[Mandrake]

I suppose if it was mounted across the vehicle it might be better ? Mandrake

[Aaron Schubert]

A lot of people make these for their fourbies.

The main issue is the excessive weight on the roof. The other thing you find is that in order to have a shower you need to park on relatively flat ground, or the water won't flow out the outlet.

I bought some cheap solar bags a while back, and they do warm up well - black PVC heats up very well. However, I am put off by the weight hanging off the roof (and it can slosh around)

Aaron

[ozstickman]

I bought some cheap solar bags a while back, and they do warm up well - black PVC heats up very well.

Those solar bag are al we've used for years for showers. We only put a few litres in them instead of filling them right up.  They work were. It's just that we must be getting soft that we are going to put an on demand hot water system on sometime this year.

[Diver]

solar bags are all we use and will carry a spare one ($9.99 at one of the easter sales).  If it doesn't get hot enough or you arrive late at the camp site just heat some water on the fire or stove and pour it into the bag - just have cold water in there first.  KISS principle.

[Woodsie]

I just use my Big Kahuna when travelling in the Cruiser and my Red Rock gas HWS when towing the Camper

http://bigkahunashowers.com/

[Alan Loy]

It's a cool design but Yeh I'm happy with my bilge pump shower bucket. Less stuff up on the roof

What size pump did you use?  Was it an easy Job? Hints??

[Trex_s4m1]

Very easy. I used a 500gph. Shower head and stainless hose clamps. Inline retic filter and quick release. Boil water and mix to temp.