How to Build a Portable Solar Hot Water Heater | Missouri Wind and Solar

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[@elsiepride4788]

This is the best helpful videos I have ever watched an he made it easy enough for a lil ole gal from Texas to understand AN BY GOD I MADE ONE AN IT WORKED THANK YOU MWS .

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thanks Elsie Glad to hear it worked for you. Jeff

[@darryllovett2291]

Awesome jeff! You are the man! I can only imagine a 10 gallon bucket or container that was insulated in some way. Hot water for days off grid. My kinda life. God bless sir

[@PaArmyVet]

Jeff , projects like these are great. They're affordable, easy to do and fun for family (kids) and friends. Please consider one of these on a monthly basis if you can. Much appreciated!

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+TREYSONZ Thanks. Getting back to doing these types of videos and will be doing many more.

[@carolhewett3756]

This is perfect PROVIDING you use a food grade plastic container. Science is recognizing the dangers of molecular plastics to humans,animals and plants. Thx for the video.

[@fancypelusa2863]

To protect the element from burning up if the water-level somehow got too low you could mount a simple bulb type level switch just above the element inside the bucket which would cut off the power supply. This would eliminate having to worry about the amount of water left above the element if using as an in-place shower.

[@tonykaczmarek278]

The distance he put the spout up from the bottem of the bucket should never allow it to go empty.

[@georgecosbuc3967]

​@@tonykaczmarek278Ete pula ce pula mea e cascadă? Până și aia mai seacă 😂

[@0u812ski]

Thank you Jeff.. I've watched your videos for years and I am humbled by your sincerity and genuine desire to educate others...On a different note..I think you are a ringer for Bruce Dern lol...really and I see you have George's fan Blades from the U.K.

[@Aussiehomestead1965]

My off grid hot water system is made similar but with an existing 100 litre hot water system as it has an existing safety valve. The thread on a DC element fits perfectly where the old 240 volt element goes. It's 12 volt 300 watts and you connect the right amount of panels that add up to 300 watts PV Max. No controller or battery needed just wire the panel straight to the element. Mines been working flawlessly for over 7 years.

[@maderightamerica3216]

Well done sir. I like that you took your time and took us through it step by step. Thanks for taking the time to teach us.

[@ozarkprepper1718]

Brilliant work. I think I found the best channel on you tube.Thanks Jeff.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thanks, glad i can help.

[@jodyseaman1885]

Just found your site yesterday. This is great, I will have to make one of these. I really appreciate the way you explain what you are doing, very helpful. Thanks!

[@derekthegreatgonzo]

man that is great. I had been heating water at our deer cabin on the wood stove since it was built. I have some really large food grade buckets that I used to make beer in. they are 7 gallons. I see one of these in my future at the deer cabin.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+derekthegreatgonzo It would work great for that use.

[@planecrazyish]

Really enjoy your videos jeff. Always very clear step by step tutorials, always fully explained. My go to source on all things wind & solar. Thanks for all the great info!

[@neodawn3760]

Ordered the 12 volt water heater and Bulkhead from you guys today to make this! Seems perfect for my off the grid needs.

[@gilbertasuncion5821]

Good morning Jeff..Thanks for the great Solar Hot Water Heater idea. Just wanted to know the size and specs of the Solar Panel...what is the Wattage Rating you used in the video. And what would be the minimum wattage that can be used so the element works normally or efficiently? Thanks Gilbert

[@anon31415]

Put a small bright color ball in the clear tubing to more easily see the height of the water.

[@davidmcfarlen5385]

I love the 300 watt element, for that purpose. Keep up the good work jeff.

[@putheflamesou]

need more dc appliances in the world. Wonder if this set up would work circulating the water from bucket around baseboard heat or floor heat? Maybe double everything?

[@jamey5561]

I setup a rig a lot similar to yours we had it on top of the horse trailer and made a Cowboy shower. We used a 30 or 35 gal. tank

[@clarencemainjk9231]

Awesome video, I’m in the process of building a camper van and now I have an idea on how to get hot water. Just 1 question. How big of a solar panel will I need to power the heating element.

[@broccolihart1]

Jeff you are a saint !! This video was easy enough for a dummy like me to understand and replicate.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thanks and your welcome

[@broccolihart1]

Jeff one more question....can this element be connected to household current or an inverter or would i need a different element ? I thought i heard you mention DC current

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

DC current only.

[@jeremyboyce1537]

Great stuff Jeff , very nice and informative ,take care .

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thank you!

[@phonecards1]

That is outstanding. what size of solar panel and watts? I have a 30 watt panel. proability to small to heat.

[@billybangbang9180]

Thank you sir, for your lessons and your deep well of wisdom...thank you.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Billy Bang Bang Your welcome Billy

[@hurakan.7x7-canal88]

A very original idea! I will do one. Thanks!

[@richardganz9318]

Great videos , Building a green house and I need to build a hotwater heater with a water pump to help heat the greenhouse and to warm the soil for the cold winter

[@neojb7417]

Couple with rain harvesting. 55 gal. buckets, 1 hot, 1 cold, man Im getting excited.

[@Joe-nk5kt]

the only question i have is would some folks prefer a food grade bucket? I'm just wandering if construction buckets bleed chemicals out.. I'm really enjoying the efforts of the owner of this channel. good videos thanks.

[@qmp666]

Great video m8. With the 48 v element... could you tell us what voltage and wattage size solar pannel did you use to get these results.Thanks in advance

[@carsonlurbanwindandsolar3437]

thats real nice I might have to send a link of this to my neighbor he's always asking me about heating water with your solar panel

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+carson l urban wind and solar Thanks Carson. There all all kinds of variations of this little bucket project.

[@JouniKyyronen-nv1ep]

carson l urban wind and solar better use solar directly to heat

[@AdrianClement]

Question? I have 12 awg wire with nothing on either end. Instead of supplying power with my solar panel, I want to use a battery. Do I need the ground wire? Thank you in advance. I have already installed the dc heating element with the bulkhead fitting into my bucket. The element has four prongs. Does it matter which ones I use?

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Please reach out to our sales team at 417-708-5359 or [e-mail] and they can assist you with your question. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesr2307]

Great work my friend! What size solar panel are you using?

[@ronlamanna1366]

Very Cool...Will build one soon...Thanks!

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Ron La Manna Glad you liked it Ron.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+DrBill I will be doing those Bill. Lots of uses for solar panels like heating.

[@snaprollinpitts]

that's a nice little rig, thanks Jeff

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+snaprollinpitts Your welcome

[@markchapmon8670]

Jeff, you're a nut, aka my favorite kind of guy. Nothing fancy, just make it work with what's easy to put your hands on. Kudos buddy!

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thanks Mark

[@MYNICEEV]

Hello my good friend. I hope you and Molly are well. This is an awesome video. Been thinking about how to heat water for my flat off grid. Dumbo here didn't think of this idea. I was thinking sun but not PV. Thank you very much my good friend. Have an amazing day. Oh. Yes I will be building one and videoing it.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Raymond Earle Thanks Raymond.There are several variations of this water heater you can build. This one was just quick and cheap to build with off the shelf parts. Love to see your video when you do it.

[@MYNICEEV]

You will see it in the coming weeks my good friend.

[@kevinharvey8148]

That's awesome I've been using a 16 gallon Water tank painted black. Heats up great on a nice hot summer day on a cool or cold day I use a propane turkey cooker to heat the water and small submersible water pump the water up to the tank I like your water heater a lot better

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

That is pretty cool Jeff! Almost could rig it as a "slow cooker". Throw in some meat, potatoes, whatever, and you could feed two families. Not sure if a plastic 5-gal would be best though...but, with that DC heater element and maybe a used stainless pressure cooker deal...might work. Still cool to have hot water like you did tho.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Chris DIYer Thanks Chris.

[@blueshawll]

Awesome. Thank you. I was thinking if it had one more small hole in top, you could refill without lifting lid? Thanks, I need one of these!

[@Davi.b]

48v element. May I ask what voltage the solar pannel was. Gr8 video bud

[@vango9794]

I have been using a standard water heating element for over a year. It cost eight dollars and works like a charm. You do not need a DC element

[@fvrrljr]

been there done that, OLE!

[@harley-davidson-mastermind560]

Jeff see if you can help here, just purchase the 48 volt element and connected to a solar panel that puts out 70 volts -5+ buts only warm the water to the point you barely notice im newbie, dont know much, but i like all your videos..regard from Puerto Rico

[@JouniKyyronen-nv1ep]

If u got 3 wires. Is it better to use 2 for + and 1 for - . Like solar panel to charger or battery. Less voltage drop

[@ModernExplorer]

Hello, and great products. Do you think If I used one of your DC heating elements set up in a similar system like you have being ran off a 100w solar panel with a 66.00 Ah deep cycle battery it could create and run continuously to heat the inside of a Jeep? I want to find an effective solution to keep my Jeep above freezing during winters when when I am vehicle camping; id take just keeping it above freezing so my electronics and water does not freeze. Look forward to hearing your reply and perhaps your own ideas. Thank you.

[@7TRUMPETSPREPPER]

Great build project.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+7 TRUMPETS PREPPER Thanks Lucas. You can use a larger tank of course.

[@drbrown2402]

Denso glow plugs work good too and you don't have to keep them wet..

[@c.c.harvey6832]

I just came across your Channel today. I live in my grandmother and grandfather's old house what don't have no Plumbing due to a half job what kept leaking so I was using the microwave and coffee machine to warm up water and thinking there was a better way to heat up water and come to find out you had the solution to it all and letting me know all the parts that I want me for it I have two 5 gallon barrels that I wanted to put to use with this if I can find all the parts that I need for it I wanted to say thank you for the information how to build it and thank you for the lesson today!👍🔥 p.s. where can i get a DC Element and are they hard to find?

[@brucefiset5736]

Good job , great for a country house

[@oldpath7357]

what size solar panel was that?

[@wildfireatm3]

Endless possibilities for this design. Cattle ranchers, and homesteaders will love this idea. Is there a way you can show how to control the temperature?

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+wildfireatm3 Sure, here's a link to thermostats that you can use. store.mwands.com/dc-water-heater-elements/

[@wildfireatm3]

MissouriWindandSolar That was fast. Standard service from MWS,Thanks again Jeff.

[@RJM1011]

GREAT idea Jeff for a back up for a log cabin or even to wash your hands in a work shop. Thank you for the video.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Richard Maunder Thanks Richard. All kinds of uses for it and cheap to build.

[@OldBiker]

So how much was the solar panel, did you get that from home depot too? For us that don't have all the equipment looks like we need to spend a few hundred to save a few pence.

[@jeepjt6868]

Great vid, can i hook the element to a portable power station or to a wall outlet instead of a solad panel?

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thanks for watching! Please contact our sales team and they will be happy to assist you. 417-708-5359 [e-mail]

[@bobbailey7235]

I use ( 3 ) 10 feet long 6 inch pvc pipes painted black and also 3" inch 10 feet long black pipe painted black. No element is needed on real sunny days-110 degrees is common.But one is installed for very cloudy days. Your adjustable solar heating element is a perfect choice . My pipes are a pre heating water source -they gravity feed into-the cold water side of a 40 gallon water tank someone thru out in the trash. My solar system is 50 -100 watt solar panels. The best element out there for sale is your adjustable heater element-

[@bobinmissouri]

Thanks Jeff for the bucket and cooler and other parts to make this when I put it together do I go through the bucket and cooler? again Thank you

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+bobinmissouri Your welcome Bob. Hmm, don't know, i will leave that up to you.

[@Ungovernable74]

Nice job Jeff.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Off Grid Nation Thanks.

[@rocky7983]

Hey Jef very nice video. Like always easy and simple to understand. Thank you.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Rocky Rocky Your welcome Rocky

[@jamesm.8392]

Absolutely beautiful

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Thank you!

[@mojavebohemian814]

just plain awesome

[@SJPrepper0569]

thanks Jeff think I'll look into this.question if I may, is there a way to figure out how many marine batteries a hundred watt solar panel can fully charge? id like to build a battery bank to use in case of power outages and was thinking of getting four one hundred watt solar panels but I'm not sure how many batteries I should purchase. I don't want to get too many batteries that the panels will never be able to fully charge. any advice is greatly appreciated.

[@dantyler1558]

Will work like a champ, regardless of outside temps.Be careful wiring up junk...Not only a terrible waste of money and electricity, accidents DO happen and you can die from them!Good luck.

[@jerrellhaynes4703]

Bulkhed fitting is also found on cheap rubber pools going to filter.

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

Jeff I'm now a full time RVer. I'm thinking a 4 ft high 10 gallon water tower routed to the hot side of the RV that would be pressurized off the same input feeding my cold fresh tank. (Y fitting before the sidewall input) Are your DC elements full duty cycle or should I put in a lower voltage one to "maintain" the heat and use the higher 48v one a bit before we need the hot water? I'll be a customer soon for many items. Thanks!

[@santinossantamonica]

GRANDE!!!!! Thank you Jeff always a pleasure....

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Sergio Amata Thanks for taking the time to watch it Sergio.

[@salihakhan2491]

Could this be set it up under the kitchen sink.

[@stevr59]

i got 385 watts 12 volt panels on the roof . whats size element do i need to heat up 5 gallons, i dont get home till late so do i need a thermostat to keep it from over heating wile i am at work. i only need 5 gallon of hot water water for a shower and washing dishes. i have tried solar hot water bags and 2.5 gallon bottle painted black but every day it rains and i get home to cold water so this would be prefixed for me

[@kurtmagnus5243]

Could a switch be added onto the cord in between the solar panel and the heating element as to not endanger the heating element to burn out?

[@hawk1481]

What size solar panel is that . Look like a 250 watt 38 volt . If so I'm impressed

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

Cool source for buckets and lids is Firehouse Subs. They donate the proceeds from the sale of their Pickle buckets with lids to local firehouses. I've found them to be as good as any other bucket. $2.00 each with lid as available. I don't work for them just an addicted consumer of their Subs and a few buckets.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Ronny Julian Thanks for the info Ronny.

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

+Wyatt Harmon Neer had the issue when I washed them out with Hot water and Dawn soap

[@LoopDeloop96]

Does it honestly have to be a 48volt 600 watt DC water heater element ? The place where I live doesn’t have that anywhere in store. Everything is 1k+ watt now

[@MyHomesteadingProjectChannel]

Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing this.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+MyHomesteadingProject Your welcome and thanks for taking the time to watch. Jeff

[@dougcummings7545]

Hey Jeff, love this video; Thanks! My son and I are attempting to make this and we purchased a 12volt 300watt heating element to run off a 12 volt battery. We have power across the terminals of the battery but as soon as we connect the heating element we read "0" volts across the connection. How can we fix this issue?

[@alexmanzanero]

300 watts means it's drawing 25 amps (a lot) so its almost like a dead short. your meter reads it as a dead short, hope your battery is big enough for the 25 amps

[@miyumeow312]

Hi can I ask how long does the water get to a boiling point

[@alowberg]

Loved the simple design. Could you tell me what size solar panel, what brand and where could I get that 12v heat element? Thanks

[@PioneerSaturnDougie]

I believe it is one of the 250w poly panels from Helios USA at the bottom of this page: mwands.com/store/solar-products/solar-panels And the DC water heater element I believe is the top right one on this page: mwands.com/store/dc-water-heating-elements

[@jellobiafra4660]

NO NO NO,Did you notice the company that posted this video,you must be stuck on stupid.

[@PioneerSaturnDougie]

brian tolland lol, it's always the people without any videos making comments like these...kindly bite your tongue, until you have something to bring to the table...videos coming soon on my water heating elements ;)

[@cemyatman]

Very good job and sharing...Thanks.

[@johnbennett3541]

Hi. Could you please tell me what size (Watts/Volts) solar panel I'll need-please send a link if you have one. Also, what diameter opening does the bulkhead casket need to be in order to work with the threaded heating element? Here's the heating element I am considering. Thanks for your help!

[@CampCarverAVTI]

thanks for all you do Jeff. I tried a similar build to heat a hot tub. I was wondering if u had ring terminals on the Mc 4 cables can u hook directly to the element. also can u run the element directly off 24 volt battery bank? my element gets hot out of the water but does'nt do well in the water. what am I doing wrong? thx

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+John Drew How much water are you trying to heat?

[@CampCarverAVTI]

+MissouriWindandSolar thanks Jeff its about 30-40 gallons

[@Feedback4Utoday]

Seems a great idea- very creative. You give no specifics? Panel watts? How hot? & How long to heat?... does it actually work?

[@msdarkstar44]

Do you have any idea what kind of temperature you would get if you used a 300 watt 12 volt unit in the same bucket?

[@sunnylandcamper]

+msdarkstar44 wondering the same thing

[@mtemp2006]

Downstepping to that voltage and wattage would in theory be about 8x longer.

[@msdarkstar44]

+mtemp2006 Thanks for the reply. I don't think he mentioned the size panel he had but your info helps.

[@msdarkstar44]

Thanks so much for this information, it really helps.

[@msdarkstar44]

+Bonnie Flory I was wondering what size panel or battery I would need. It didn't appear that a small panel would generate enough wattage (or amps) to power the unit. Thanks

[@a787fxr]

Very nice. If you insulated the bucket it would be even better and you should look into aviation grade tools and wiring to make it unable to be improved.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Good idea, thanks

[@MrConradF]

Cool project! My only concern is the use of a standard power cord with the plug end still attached. An unknowing person might think it can be plugged into any 110 VAC outlet, which might make for a dangerous situation.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+MrConradF Use any plug you like.

[@dirkg7062]

I thought the same thing.

[@albertcrowe8960]

Awesome video Jeff!

[@russelltherawman596]

Could one also change out the elements to d/c on a regular water heater ?

[@jellobiafra4660]

How about running it from the charge controller to hot water heater,switch elements and use it for a dump?

[@WeirdNamja]

just curious whats the specs on the solar panel you are using in the vid?

[@MikeSheasheaDtree]

Great. So the solar panel was outputting 28VDC and the element is rated to 48VDC, whats the most the panel can produce??

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Mike Shea (sheadtree) about 36 volts

[@bobbyemmons2754]

thanks good idea

[@stayenergyefficients]

great video presentation.. you explain it very well thanks..

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Faith Fajardo Well thank you.

[@1wolfpup]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@Brabham26]

Thanks for sharing. Would love to see more tips.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+Brabham26 I will be doing more of these types of videos.

[@padthai411]

Thanks Jeff

[@wesleyhdavis3678]

Any suggestions on the solar size?

[@blueside1999]

The element is 48 volt, but what panel would you use since they come in 12, 24, and I've seen some special app at 48.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Wiring the panels is series will raise the voltage.

[@blueside1999]

@@MissouriWindandSolar understood. But my confusion rests in the statement of using a larger element than the supply due to less resistance, I understood it as referring to less 12v resistance going into a bigger 48v element, is how I understood it, or was that only supposed to be in regard to using it with turbines? (Less start up resistance?)

[@njtexit8]

Other KZbin videos they use 12V elements because they are using 100W solar panels. In this video, he has a large solar panel that they use in residential builds 300W+. The voltages on them are 2x - 2.5x of a 100W solar panel.

[@gustav-adolfschildt]

Good day from the Philippines. I am thinking of a project warming my Biogas digester. does you DC heating element has a set cut out/off temperature? Please give feedback. Thank you

[@douglaswindsor120]

If you are basically using it in one area put a 1 1/2 hole in the center of the top that way to add more capacity you can put a 5 gallon water jug on top if 50 pounds is to heavy use a 3 gallon jug this way when the jug is empty you'll still have 4 gallon of water in the water heater also a high temp shut off would be nice watch for someone getting rid of a holy electric water heater and salvage the controller off it or find someone upgrading to a bigger tank and convert it to dc that way you can have pressure water

[@nicholastheron9493]

With no battery? What size panel?

[@spockmcoyissmart961]

If you have a PV bank of 48 volt output, will that run the element oK or will open voltage increase damage element? thanks.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

+SpockMcoy Issmart It will work ok.

[@thomasmurray4717]

Excellent 👍

[@paolaboscan]

This is fantastic. Thank you for this video!

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

Your welcome Paola

[@desireed4699]

What would a solar panel like that cost me? Where would you suggest I get one from? Thank you for any help.

[@bedhead1903]

Okay I know nothing about anything solar or off grid. I'm a mom who wants to buy a house and has been saving money on utilities using your methods and teaching my kids at the same time since we homeschool. I just bought our first set of solar panels and got rid of all the lights in our house and replaced them with solar lights. I feel like a rockstar lol. I got rid of our dryer and am using a line now. I want to get rid of our fridge and water heater usage as well. How could I harness this beautiful hot water to shower my kids? Everything else we could just use cold water but showers have to be hot or my husband will crash down on my plans.

[@MissouriWindandSolar]

You can use DC water elements to heat your water.

[@bedhead1903]

+MissouriWindandSolar yes but how do I turn it into a shower? I'm gonna make this exact water heater you made but then how can I use it for showers? Maybe there is a shower head that can attach