Hi

I would like to make a solar water heater to mount on the balcony , without any electricity

it needs to be lightweight and portable so it can be brought inside if needed

First version I would like to be portable , maybe hand filled from the top with an on/off hose valve on the bottom.

is there a simple gauge to tell how hot the water is ? is there a hose valve with a temp gauge ?

I know it will warm up in direct sunlight , but will it also warm up much just from being in 40c air ?

will blue PVC pipe work ? Maybe in a "jailbar" pattern with larger pipes / manifolds top + bottom and the "jailbar" uprights attached .

and later is there a decent 12 volt pump that could be battery operated and solar charged ?

Thanks for your ideas....

PS....and am I over thinking this and will a black plastic bucket do the same thing ?

anyway lets discuss all ideas to help others......

cheap and efficient

http://www.spheralsolar.com/SolarFreedomandSurvivalGuide.pdf

Moved to DYI.

How much water and how hot? The black painted "jailbar" pattern works well for small (5 gallon) to 120°. Hot enough for a shower. Assuming 8 hours direct sunlight.

I think 5 gallons will work ,

I will need to calculate how much internal space it takes for 5 gallons ,

I am just not sure if the building owner will like it, thats why I would like it portable

but I also would like to put something like it in my work shed at home,

Making solar hot water is relatively simple in Thailand through a thermosyphon set-up.

The temperature control and storage will need to be well thought out.

If it is too cool you may produce a breading ground for legionella. It if overheats it might pressurize.