DIY Build your own Batch Solar Water Heater

I've been reading here for a long time, this is my first post.

I thought I'd contribute something useful, last year I built my own batch solar hot water heater. I would encourage you to give this a go if you are halfways handy. The savings on my energy bills have been significant and I'm really glad I went to the effort.

I've linked my blog where I wrote a lead in article here. The main articles which go into more detail live on a content site that advertises a fair bit so I'll leave it to you whether or not to go there, the links to my more thorough posts are in the first story.

http://www.hakamike.com/2011/09/diy-solar-hot-water-how-to-build-solar.html

I hope you find my work helpful, please don't hesitate to let me know what you think or to ask any questions,

Regards, Hakamike

I have to comment on the water heater blowing up. If you have not seen Mythbusters, they had 2 episodes on water heaters blowing up, quite impressive!

I too some day plan on building something solar, just have not got that "round to it" yet!

Great system 

Take a look at thermosiphon solar hot water heaters. http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm#Thermosyphon

I built one and I am very happy with it.

Free download of 104 pg PDF book "Integral Passive Solar Water Heater".

Another book (26 pg from Oregon State Ext. Svc.):
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/15142/SolarHeaterManual.pdf;jsessionid=6A43D0F30045A29F251A01E0203B6EE7?sequence=1