New IMPROVED Solar Redneck hot tub( Major update 5/19/12)

[FrANkNstEin]

I see.

So that´s the real reason why we stock all these beans! To keep our bug out jacuzzis working in all circumstances....

[aus.templar]

this is awesome...

[Bethlehem]

Believe it or not it's not as "Redneck" as my Redneck hot tub... Mine is a 25ft circle stock tank up on cinder blocks with a chimney and a fire lit under it. We don't even use fancy materials like rubber or plastic! A cattle stock tank up on blocks with trailer floor mats is efficient. Then you light a nice wood fire underneath and set a lawn chair in the water. It's everything a real hot tub is without the violent bubbles. The stars and snow are no concern.

[Bethlehem]

To prove that I'm a nerd and to quote some Americana in the process... I'll refer to the enlightened "Hank Hill" during his only consensual hot tub experience... "Nobody makes cheese like the Americans!"

[Dawgboy]

So now that I have moved twice and settled in, I went back to my favorite past time ever, soaking in a hot tub. I have had many iterations over the years but I think I have finally got the best of all worlds now, will show you the tub and hot water array now, and the pump and PV power array tomorrow.

First off: Find a working Hot tub on Craigslist and with the help of a couple burly friends and the male offspring get it out of a yard, drive it 50 miles, and move it into the back yard. I saw it run, people wanted it gone as they could not afford to heat it with electricity.






Next, prepare the Solar Domestic hot water array I inherited from the last homeowner:


Cleaned up and soldered 3/4" threaded fittings and attached my rubber 3/4" Hose and pump assembly
to it.






Add water:

First bit was steaming hot and in broad daylight I can get a 30 degree increase in temperature no problem.


I'm just waiting now, Water is going straight from the tap, through the array and into the tub until full, and tomorrow I will setup the PV solar powered recirculation pump.

[TacAir]

Sweet Mother of all hacks!

Totally. Awesome. Setup! and on the cheap. I bow my head in acknowledgement of your Redneckness!

[Tank Woman]

I am SO showing this to that guy with the penis who lives here. We both love soaking in the hot tub, but for some reason it keeps draining halfway. We both know it's probably a ridiculously easy fix, but you know how it goes, its way down on the list of importance.
BUT, switching to an easy strait-forward solar heating option just might be the thing that kicks it up the list of attention.
Thanks for the incentive!

[Dawgboy]

Here is the heart of the system, a Rule 360 GPH 12VDC bilge pump and 2 of the 4 7.2AH AGM batteries. The pump pressurizes the Domestic water panels just fine and when turned off, both sides will drain back to the tub.

[Dawgboy]

I made another change as the Bilge pumps weren't really cutting it with the 15' of head and the large volume of the heating panels. After looking around a bit I went down to Harbor freight and bought a 300GPH pump. I also added a 3/4" Ball valve on the supply side.

[Blacksmith]

How many gallons of shine can you make with thing a week?

[skelco]

and people say the PAW's gonna suck

[doitnstyle1]

[Dawgboy]

So it's been a week now and other than my girlfriend's 7 year old peeing in it, it's been working very well. I made a cover out of Mylarized Double-bubble insulation and it really keeps the heat in well. I was soaking at 11:30 PM last night 8)

[SteelWolf]

Absolutely amazing. I am definitely doing this sometime.

[Dawgboy]

Finally got around to permanently wiring up my 55 watt panels to run the 12 volt pump and have it on the roof now.

[Dawgboy]

A final Proof of concept photo below and my list of things to do to fully complete this project:

1. Re-design flow through Hot water collectors to get more heat. Currently the 3/4" copper attaches to the bottom of all 3 collectors and flows out the top in parallel. I am going to re do it so it that it flows through them one at a time to get more heat per pass.

2. Build a better cover with more insulation.

3. Build a heat exchanger tank and plump to collectors for a sealed system. This would increase heat storage capacity.

4. Replace pump with commercial Domestic hot water recirculation pump. Expensive but worth it.

All in all, this has been a wonderful exercise and I have learned a lot from it, and gained a lot too.

Proof of concept: My hunny and I in the tub last night.

[Dawgboy]

Hottest temps so far.

[Tank Woman]

Image

I am soooo envious! This is a great thread. Seeing someone having a project, documenting processes and updating progress is very inspiring! You and your hunny deserve that warm soak in the hot tubby goodness.

[Confucius]

Are you chlorinating?

That's prime Legionella growing temperature...

[Dawgboy]

I did reconfigure the flow on the panels to put them in 'serial', and that was a huge improvement as far as speed untill fully hot goes. Used Speedfit connectors as It's still a prototype. Yesterday I got the tub to 114 degrees from ambient (2 cloudy days) between 11:30 and 4 PM. It was still getting hotter but I shut it down. went in at 1bout 10PM and it was blissful. This morning it was still 92 degrees and is back up over 100 with just an hour's pumping. Now I need to figure out how to market this...

[Dawgboy]

Heck yeah I'm chlorinating Green hot tubs are truly gross... Actually I run mostly Bromine. Seriously thinking about switching over to saline though.

[TacAir]

Marketing a Redneck hot tub? Throw in a case of beer - of course...

Thanks for posting the updates as you tweak the system!

[Dawgboy]

Finally found a slightly used Grundfos hot water circulation pump to replace the cheap a$$ harbor freight pumps I keep burning out. This is $30.00 well spent as its a high quality bronze pump designed to run forever.

Little victories in life do happen!




Brought to you by Cyberdyne Systems

[Tobias05]

Awesome. When should I start looking for one of your kits on ebay?