A Portable Solar Water Heater

By Raymond Meloy
Published on March 1, 1980
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The portable solar water heater in use.
The portable solar water heater in use.
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PHOTO 1: Cut a 1/4 inch hole in the inner tube. PHOTO 2: Take a 1/2 inch pipe coupler and cut off it's lower half. PHOTO 3: Spread a good amount of rubber-sealing compound on the small ridge of the coupler. Insert into the inner tube's hole. PHOTO 4: Put some rubber-sealer on your finger and coat the outside area. PHOTO 6: The portable solar water heater can easily be emptied, rolled up, and tucked into a backpack or satchel.
PHOTO 1: Cut a 1/4 inch hole in the inner tube. PHOTO 2: Take a 1/2 inch pipe coupler and cut off it's lower half. PHOTO 3: Spread a good amount of rubber-sealing compound on the small ridge of the coupler. Insert into the inner tube's hole. PHOTO 4: Put some rubber-sealer on your finger and coat the outside area. PHOTO 6: The portable solar water heater can easily be emptied, rolled up, and tucked into a backpack or satchel.

Most of us have — at one time or another — longed for the luxury of a hot shower while on the road or trail. Well, there’s no need to yearn any longer, because I’ve come up with a portable solar water heater that will cost you less than $10 to build and can be folded and carried in a backpack, suitcase, car or boat!

Not only that, it’s also amazingly easy to construct this heating unit. Here’s what you need to put one together: one auto inner tube, a length of used garden hose, a 1/2-inch plastic pipe coupler, a small clamp, a male hose connector, a hose valve or nozzle, and some good-quality rubber-sealing compound.

Here’s How to Build It

It’s generally possible to scrounge up a free, secondhand inner tube in good condition, or — at worst — buy a used one for no more than $1.50 from a tire shop. When you select yours, keep in mind that a 14-inch tube will hold around 19 quarts of water. (If you want greater or smaller capacity, simply go up to a 15-inch truck tube or down to a 13-inch compact car size.)

Once the tube proves to be sound (just inflate it to find out if it has any leaks), use a sharp pair of scissors to cut a 1/4-inch hole about two inches in from the outside edge. Now, wet your finger with water, stick it into the hole, and clean around the inside.

Next, take the 1/2-inch pipe coupler and cut off its lower half, glob a good amount of rubber-sealing compound on the small ridge of the coupler, and push it into the 1/4-inch hole. (This task may require a little effort, but — to make it easier — you can leave the tube in the sun for a while to soften up the rubber.)

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