KennyG
Elite Member
Do you have any pictures of your system. I'd like to see the size and layout.
Redneck pool heater 3.0
- Thread starter NS Gearhead
- Start date
- Views: 43009
Do you have any pictures of your system. I'd like to see the size and layout.
rasorbackq
Platinum Member
No i don't . We had to pump out the septic tank this summer and guess where the tank was . When we bought the house we were told it was somewhere else so we set up the pool on this spot.
Jimbrown
Veteran Member
OP
NS Gearhead
Veteran Member
That's a nice one Jim! I bet if you put landscape fabric, or tar paper under them it would not only control the weeds, but a black background will help produce more heat. We don't exactly get the same sun/ heat as you do in Az. LOL
Got her done yesterday
Expanded steel for the copper coil shelf
The inlet gauge isn't accurate, either the run of hose or the radiant heat from the barrel must be effecting it... the pool water at this time was 22C, so that's a gain of 28deg!!!!! 50C didn't last long, but 45 was pretty steady.
Just to give some perspective as to how far away it is from the pool.
Got her done yesterday
Expanded steel for the copper coil shelf
The inlet gauge isn't accurate, either the run of hose or the radiant heat from the barrel must be effecting it... the pool water at this time was 22C, so that's a gain of 28deg!!!!! 50C didn't last long, but 45 was pretty steady.
Just to give some perspective as to how far away it is from the pool.
OP
NS Gearhead
Veteran Member
So I didn't build the diffuser plate off of the lid, or installed the chimney braces. I was in a hurry to get this going. Yesterday was supposed to be the only "nice" day of the weekend. I may still do the diffuser, but the chimney I plan to add another length to get a little better draft and keep the smoke out of my face. Also, I think the plan will be to remove it between uses so i can cover the unit with a tarp instead of the original plan of storing it in the shed. The last improvement is to set if up on cinder blocks. Probably 3 high. Make tending the fire a little more user friendly. LOL
OP
NS Gearhead
Veteran Member
... I'd also like to see what some insulation would do. On top of the barrel and the top 2/3 of it too. Now when the wind blows you can watch the stack temp drop.
It'll be fun "tweaking" it to see how much more I can get out of it.
It'll be fun "tweaking" it to see how much more I can get out of it.
LD1
Epic Contributor
I wonder how long the copper will last?
Not what I had envisioned you doing. If it were me (and I know it is alot more complex and more welding), but have a water tank/reservoir above the fire and submurge the coils in the water that is heated with the fire.
20 gallons of water wouldnt be hard to keep at near boiling. And with that much copper in water, you would get nearly the same temp coming out as the resivoir of water.
We did something similar to that in a pinch. Big 4th of july party planned, but unusually cold temps the few weeks prior. We set a metal 5gal bucket on a grate over a fire. And I had an old heat exchanger from a car that we plumbed in and stuck down in the bucket.
Not what I had envisioned you doing. If it were me (and I know it is alot more complex and more welding), but have a water tank/reservoir above the fire and submurge the coils in the water that is heated with the fire.
20 gallons of water wouldnt be hard to keep at near boiling. And with that much copper in water, you would get nearly the same temp coming out as the resivoir of water.
We did something similar to that in a pinch. Big 4th of july party planned, but unusually cold temps the few weeks prior. We set a metal 5gal bucket on a grate over a fire. And I had an old heat exchanger from a car that we plumbed in and stuck down in the bucket.
OP
NS Gearhead
Veteran Member
I'm happy to report that I've gained 5deg C in the pool (22-27) in 24 hours. Not to shabby if I do say so myself! 
I've stopped loading it, and trying to get the fire burned out before the rain starts, so I can remove the chimney and cover it with a tarp.
Definitely getting a solar blanket, and going to look into an oil drip system. This would really help for overnight and when we want to leave the house for more then an hour. LOL
Oh, and I've got $170 into this setup. Barrel, water temp gauges, and fittings were free. Copper was at cost. Payed full price for chimney, chimney gauge, and damper. Had scrap steel laying around for the door, latch, draft, etc.
I've stopped loading it, and trying to get the fire burned out before the rain starts, so I can remove the chimney and cover it with a tarp.
Definitely getting a solar blanket, and going to look into an oil drip system. This would really help for overnight and when we want to leave the house for more then an hour. LOL
Oh, and I've got $170 into this setup. Barrel, water temp gauges, and fittings were free. Copper was at cost. Payed full price for chimney, chimney gauge, and damper. Had scrap steel laying around for the door, latch, draft, etc.
OP
NS Gearhead
Veteran Member
Sure doesn't stay pretty after a fire
Made the baffle. It sits aprox. 4" below the lid, 4" above the grate, and leaves 4" all the way around
Guess what this is going to be!
...also picked up a 3rd length of chimney.
Made the baffle. It sits aprox. 4" below the lid, 4" above the grate, and leaves 4" all the way around
Guess what this is going to be!
...also picked up a 3rd length of chimney.
kevinwak
Platinum Member
That must be the oil burner you are adding now!
Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet
Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet