Anyone have any experience of these ?
They seem pretty cheap but I always assumed they were just a gimicky type thing but I was watching "One man and his Campervan" the other day and he seemed quite impressed with the one he tried. I think this is the one he was using http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Solar-Sh ... B0010A377C
They look like they pack down small as well so could be quite usefull
CC
Solar Shower ?
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the-gnole
Re: Solar Shower ?
Basically a heavy gauge black vinyl bag with water in. left out in the sun all day will give 20ltrs of warm, possibly hot water.
They are best used over a small paddling pool and used to wet then turned off, soap up and then use to rince off after.
Another idea is the garden shower that pops into Aldi or Lidl about once a year or the outback shower that runs on a small battery powered pump and a blowlamp.
12v showers available form Maplins as well.
They are best used over a small paddling pool and used to wet then turned off, soap up and then use to rince off after.
Another idea is the garden shower that pops into Aldi or Lidl about once a year or the outback shower that runs on a small battery powered pump and a blowlamp.
12v showers available form Maplins as well.
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Carrot Cruncher
Re: Solar Shower ?
Cheers Gnole.
I have a 12v job in the camper but was thinking that the Solar Shower might be useful as a very low tech and cheap alternative that uses no power. At £3.50 I might just give it a go....if nothing else it will be a 20L water carrier
I have a 12v job in the camper but was thinking that the Solar Shower might be useful as a very low tech and cheap alternative that uses no power. At £3.50 I might just give it a go....if nothing else it will be a 20L water carrier
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the-gnole
Re: Solar Shower ?
At that price it is well worth a try, They are usually about twice that.
I was going to give an old black 20ltr military water bottle a try, but the plastic is quite thick so might be acting as an insulator.
A long dark coloured garden hose laid out zig-zag across a concrete slab, Tarmac or even soil and grass will work really well, but it needs to be really long to get a good supply of water, just don't drink it as some PVC hoses have been known to contain lead to keep them flexible, this can leach out
I was going to give an old black 20ltr military water bottle a try, but the plastic is quite thick so might be acting as an insulator.
A long dark coloured garden hose laid out zig-zag across a concrete slab, Tarmac or even soil and grass will work really well, but it needs to be really long to get a good supply of water, just don't drink it as some PVC hoses have been known to contain lead to keep them flexible, this can leach out
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counsellor
Re: Solar Shower ?
We used one the other year in Scotland. it was ok to wash off the sand and a quick wash down.
The water did get quite warm on the day when the sun was out remembering this was the Outer Hebrides
I would say get one it's better than nothing
The water did get quite warm on the day when the sun was out remembering this was the Outer Hebrides
I would say get one it's better than nothing
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janso
Re: Solar Shower ?
They're good CC.... used one a few times, enough water to get clean but not have a soak!! Water tends to be warm enough but depends on how much sun they get, best left out completely all day (leaving it in the back of the truck helps) soaking up all the heat through the glass. If it turns out too cold then, well you could have a strip doby OR use it for water replen...being a few degrees warmer will help on reducing burn time to boil it.
On the whole thou, great bit of kit when working. Use mine to rinse off after a surf and when out in the hills if sheltered down with transport. Worth having and cheap enough to have several out warming up for emergency domestic use.....
On the whole thou, great bit of kit when working. Use mine to rinse off after a surf and when out in the hills if sheltered down with transport. Worth having and cheap enough to have several out warming up for emergency domestic use.....
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allan
Re: Solar Shower ?
I have one it worked well in the desert but I have not used it in UK. I also have a canvas bucket with a shower head fitted to the bottom I picked up in a car boot sale a will back. it has mod markings and a date in the 50,s on it.
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Huorn
Re: Solar Shower ?
Not this model, but we've a couple very similar that were very good in Africa. As others have said, more of a rinse off than a shower. Refreshing even so.
I remember laying out hoses on the lawn during the summer as a kid, could be quite hot water as I recall.
H
I remember laying out hoses on the lawn during the summer as a kid, could be quite hot water as I recall.
H
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Red Doe
Re: Solar Shower ?
I have two, a smallish one and a five litre one. Have to say I think they`re good, but up this way it never seems to get sunny enough long enough to get them really warm. Still, us hardy northern Scots can easily have a cold shower.
(not!)
(not!)
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Teresa
Re: Solar Shower ?
I had one just like that originally but like most gear you get what you pay for. If it's just a back up it would probably do but I use mine for doing dishes as well as showers. I bought one about 15 years ago for $85.00 (still using it). It is made out of high grade rubber material (like a dry bag). You fold the top down like you do dry bags and it closes by using a heavy clasp, that in turn forms the circle in which to hang it. With mine I will heat up water over the fire and pour it directly in the bag (in case there wasn't any sun), I wouldn't recommend that with the model your looking at though because it may melt. I hope that helps.