Topic: Got bored today...

[Cheesemaker]

So, I had and idea on trying to heat up the pool water just a touch.  So, I've been reading online about solar water heaters.  So, I thought I'd give it a try. 
I had some old 2"x6" boards that came off my deck when I replaced it, A spare garden hose, a old window, and a spare pool pump.  Bought a light, and some reflective insulating wrap.



The heat lamp was too much for the lamp, the glass got really hot!! I was afraid of 
So, after I got done, I'm gonna redo the light setup.  I'm gonna wire it up inside the box.  So, we will see if my boredom actually made something useful.   

[THK Matt]

when we had a pool... we looped in 50ft of blake pvc hose like 1.5in DIA into the pool pump and coiled it up and hung it on the fence. it helped heat the water up.



try black hosing, as it retains heat better.

[Cheesemaker [OP]]

I thought about buying new black hose, but at $50 just for the hose.    But the core of this hose is black, and you can see that through the green covering.  We will see what happens, cause this was a cheap setup. 

[unclejpl4x4]

black hos would work better  but the whole point of solar heating is to not use a heat lamp.   you couls also try a mirror array pointing at the glass to increase temps 

[Rocksurfer]

black hos would work better

Um, nevermind!

[Rocksurfer]

Seriously though black is better for absorbing the heat, you don't want it flowing too quickly so that it doesn't have enough time to heat the water. If you build something more permanent try using the black drain pipe, you should be OK since you are low pressure.

[Cheesemaker [OP]]

I wanted black hose, but I was doing this on the cheap.  I was just experimenting with what I had.  I'm thinking that if I get serious about it next year, I'm gonna get a better pump that I can regulate the pump speed. 

I rewired the light to be inside the box.  I used a different socket, and tried to seal off the holes better.  And through a couple small pieces of black comp roofing in there to help out.  I knew I wasn't gonna see miracles with this setup, but just give it a try.  The water already feels better, but it has been cold today and talking rain tomorrow.  But next week is gonna be better.

[ninja turtle]

i say get rid of the light and go solar

[Trunkz]

i think cheese maker is in oregon, when i was there i wouldnt have trusted solar day to day lol.... man i miss that place

[Cheesemaker [OP]]

   It's flat pouring today!!  Why do you think our college mascots are animals that live in or around water.   

[abnormaltoy]

I was just thinkin'...maybe you should try some black hose 

[crawlerdad]

Google solar pool covers it is a lot easier. My pool temp was 90 today.

[Cheesemaker [OP]]

You live in Southern California!! It's been 56* and raining here the last two days!    

If I get serious about it, it'll be next year.  I was just messing around and seeing what I could do with what I had. 

[crawlerdad]

Yah sorry about that its been 85 -100 around here. 56 sounds good. I can play in that weather its too hot to go wheeling in a lot of places here.