Best improvised water heating system for off-grid shelter?

[VikingGirl]

I've been building fireplaces my whole life, but I've never thought of incorporating a water heating system to it until now.
I've always "showered" with cold water, I'm a tough girl. Thing is, I'm 26 now, I'm getting old... The cold that didn't affect me before, it does so now.

So basically you need to make water circulate through your fire, for that you need metal for starters. I've seen coils put through fireplaces and stuff..
Thing is, I've never pay much attention to this technology since it requires heavy tools and materials.. and all my off gird settlements are a few days-hiking distance.

So my question is, what is the simplest way possible you've heard or know of how to implement this?

PS- I hope I'm not threatening the manly status-quo of this site by asking how to install a hot shower in the wild. I'm asking respectufully. Kiki.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Just heat a bucket of water over your fire, then fill a 20l solar shower, simples. In the summer just leave the solar shower in the sun.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3911....0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=122&ul_noapp=true

 

[VikingGirl]

Thanks, but looking for something more challenging than that. Me love some engineering.

 

[Goatboy]

Have you seen the Jompy water heaters? LINK Have only ever heard good things about them, and if you fancy a bit of an engineering challenge you could give making one a go. Though I believe sales of their product go towards allowing the company to help provide safe water and cut down on fuel use in Africa.
<font size="4"><font size="2">[video=youtube;ywk-a1V4_N0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywk-a1V4_N0[/video]

 

[VikingGirl]

Thank you so much, I'm actually consider something like this.
Ideally I would like for the system to be fixed to the fireplace, with no moving pieces, so I can install a shower head and everything.
I have the fireplace on a higher level that where I would like to build the showeroom.

Nontheless I appreciate it the link

 

[TeeDee]

I. Thing is, I'm 26 now, I'm getting old... The cold that didn't affect me before, it does so now.

. Kiki.

Ahhhhh , bless your little cotton socks - you're practically still box fresh new!!!!

 

[Dreadhead]

I've seen an interesting system before where some self sufficient people I lived with had rigged up a system to their closed wood stove. They welded on some water pipes on the back which led to a hot water storage tank, which then led to a regular shower. Because the wood stove was always burning, there was a good supply of hot water. I don't know how you would adapt this with an open fireplace though

 

[Richard Francis Burton]

26....!!!! Young pup, you.

 

[VikingGirl]

I've seen an interesting system before where some self sufficient people I lived with had rigged up a system to their closed wood stove. They welded on some water pipes on the back which led to a hot water storage tank, which then led to a regular shower. Because the wood stove was always burning, there was a good supply of hot water. I don't know how you would adapt this with an open fireplace though

That's what I'm aiming at, yeah! By fireplace I mean a inside cabin fireplace, is not out there in the open. My mistake.
What I still can't figure out is how would I go about building a water container without having to bring too much materials from the city.

 

[lou1661]

I can't paste any links from my phone but have a Google for donkey water heater, if you look on some South African sites there are plans for various sizes.

Louis

 

[VikingGirl]

I can't paste any links from my phone but have a Google for donkey water heater, if you look on some South African sites there are plans for various sizes.

Louis

Thanks Lou! I'm checking it out right now! Looks promising!

 

[Goatboy]

Depending on the fireplace construction and water supply you could go down the back-boiler route.

What I've had in many of my houses and will boil water into the main tank. Had to watch when someone new came to the house as the
water could almost be boiling at the taps.

 

[crosslandkelly]

All these ideas look very material heavy, except for the Jompy, and the bucket.

 

[TeeDee]

Just musing - wouldn't a gentle sort of Ghille Kettle design suit the bill? So that its built into the fire place from all sides.

 

[TeeDee]

You may also want to ( as you seem to be designing from scratch ) research 'Rocket Mass Heater' - interesting project!!

 

[Fraxinus]

A recycled radiator (house type not vehicle) could work as a back boiler and it already has connection points for standard plumbing fittings. Run the hot water into a insulation jacketed immersion heater (also recycled) convection will move the heated water around the system so no pump required.

Rob.

 

[demographic]

A recycled radiator (house type not vehicle) could work as a back boiler and it already has connection points for standard plumbing fittings. Run the hot water into a insulation jacketed immersion heater (also recycled) convection will move the heated water around the system so no pump required.

Rob.

Worth mentioning that any home made heating system for hot water has to be vented to atmosphere.

I used to inspect industrial pressurised steam boilers and when they go pop it takes the street with it.

 

[VikingGirl]

Depending on the fireplace construction and water supply you could go down the back-boiler route.

What I've had in many of my houses and will boil water into the main tank. Had to watch when someone new came to the house as the
water could almost be boiling at the taps.

Do you know what's the back boiler made of? I love this design, but I'm trying to think the easiest way to reproduce it without having to carry to much sh it.

 

[VikingGirl]

Worth mentioning that any home made heating system for hot water has to be vented to atmosphere.

I used to inspect industrial pressurised steam boilers and when they go pop it takes the street with it.

Yeah, that's why I don't like the radiator idea too much. I want a big container in which to hold the water to be in direct contact with the flames.

 

[VikingGirl]

You may also want to ( as you seem to be designing from scratch ) research 'Rocket Mass Heater' - interesting project!!

I'm looking into it, thank you Not sure how doable it is with limited materials though, I only have granite rock where my cabin is..