Suggested fittings for DIY solar shower

[rgarland]

I am working on an outdoor shower to put on top of my van, but I spent hours at home depot trying to find the right hardware to fit things together. I am a complete newb, so any advice on finding the right parts is much appreciated. Here is my kindergarten cartoon of the idea:

The tube on top is a 4 inch PVC pipe with caps bonded on the ends. (1) is a schrader valve for air pressure, (2) is a T opening for filling it up with water, and (3) is some kind of pressure tight fitting to couple to a 1/2 inch female hose. (1) and (2) should be airtight to 40 psi.

My main questions is what hardware should I use for (3)? My budget is around $100.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Riickk]

I can't visualize it, need more info.
Female garden hose fitting, attaches easily to hose bib, or any faucet with mating threads.
I'm assuming you'll want a way to turn water on/off.

 

[rgarland]

I can't visualize it, need more info.
Female garden hose fitting, attaches easily to hose bib, or any faucet with mating threads.
I'm assuming you'll want a way to turn water on/off.

Sounds good. Do you think it needs rubber washers to be water tight to 40 psi?

 

[Jeff Handy]

You can find lots of good diy outdoor shower designs on Google and Youtube.
With complete parts list and assembly instructions.

I think you need to start over from scratch, a single pvc tube as a tank/solar collector seems doomed to be unsatisfactory.

You should not need to add any air pressure.

Gravity should do it, unless you are really tall, or your van has a very low roof.

EDIT I see lots of Youtube vids showing a single tube, looks like they can hold about five gallons.
Some of them use a motorized tire inflator to pressurize the tube.

Maybe a six inch would be better?

 

[Jeff Handy]

You can also get solar camp showers that are fully assembled.

Some of them can hang from a tree, or could hang off the van roof rack.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Here, this should inspire you.

She is giving me some ideas already.

 

[havasu]

Hey now! Let's keep it clean!

 

[Rickyman]

Hey now! Let's keep it clean!

In all fairness she is keeping it clean

 

[Jeff Handy]

That is certainly a hot shower.