Scrap Gas water heater converted to oil power and back in use.

the other night, my water heater split pouring water everywhere. Not great timing as we were planning a big party Saturday night and I didn't have time to go chase up another one. Also we are selling soon so I wasn't going to spend $500+ on a new heater. I took one cold shower and was surprised how cold it actually was this time of year so until I could find a used heater to install, I had to come up with something so we could shower.



Having converted a gas water heater to WVO Power, I brought that down and set it up. It's as Hillbilly as all get out but it sure beats another cold shower. I simply removed the gas burner assembly and sat the thing over one of my waste oil burners.
I fire the burner up and set it at a rate that dosen't overpower the heater or the plastic fittings with errant flame. I let it go about 30 min then send the first smelly family member in to be cleansed. I leave the burner going as each person showers and the thing not only keeps up with demand, but exceedes it. I had the safety valve blow off the first night I used the thing so I turned the burner down a bit but the water temp was still hotter for the last Shower ( mine) with the burner then turned off even though everyone went in straight after the other.

The kids were rolling their eyes at first but after a couple of nights practice with the thing, I said, take as long as you want, we are not going to run out. My son told me he had never heard me say that before as the old system always was a bit small and speed was of the essecence. He took the longest shower I think I have ever seen him take, a leisurely 10 min.
Anyway, I got another heater today I'll put in but this set up really wasn't bad at all. I fired it up this afternoon and heated the water so I didn't have to do it tonight and with the normal care, every one had a shower with no probs.

If I had a shack or holiday house somewhere without power or a water heater, This would make a very acceptable alternative if actually set up with some controls Like an auto temp shutoff and metered fuel .

regulatory government here would have a field day with this here the way that's set up. however I love it and anything to be done about fixing things when ya can and only buying new when ya have to
everyone also complains about this being a environmental concern as well but burning waste oil to me is like burning trash coal or for that matter destroying the earth for natural gas at least this way you will be saving enough money to be able to make the choice to invest in a solar water heater or something similar lol

They would have just as big a Field day with it where I am too but it was never meant or designed to be permanant. It was meant to get us hot showers for a few nights till a proper heater was installed and that's what it did very well indeed.

I was at the plumbing place today shaking my head looking at all the fittings. So many now are not all that much better than what I rigged up. So much plastic and snap together and speed over longevity and dependability. I Could have done the new one in proper copper pipe but once I looked at the price of all the fittings etc and then saw I could screw it all together with some flexible hoses that will last the time i'm here, I went with the cheaper and easier option. Mind you, they are proper plumbing fittings, just not what I would have in a home if I were staying in it. I Like the good old stuff, metal pipe, none of this plastic rubbish.

Frankly the people that whinge about burning oil tick me right off. It's purely ignorance and complaining for the sake of it. If they were really concerned about the environment and all the other crap they preach they would be moaning about the endless things a lot more significant than burning a few litres of oil. 98% of what I burn is waste Veg oil anyway. I run my car on it and that makes me the environmental poster boy with the green goobers because it's renewable, carbon neutral, smells like Unicorn flarts and dosen't pout money in the pockets of the evil big oil companies and all that jazz. If I emit a puff of Smoke from a burner, You'd think I was the captain of the Exxon Valdez!
Lots of people just go round looking for something to whinge about while they take the moral high ground because they want to be noticed and gain social acceptance they are probably lacking or craving.

The bottom line is everything we do has an impact and either we all start living like the Amish or we accept that our lifestyle isn't perfect and try to go after the big problems that make the most different first instead of worring about things if total and utter insignificance.

Anyway, I got a rather good 2nd hand heater last night and installed it today. My Veg fueled heater did a fantastic job and everyone in the family was greateful for it. My wife told everyone at work what I had done and while they understandably chuckled, those that had been in the same situation thought it was brilliant and wished they had one when they were in the same situation. I'll take the one I just put in with me when I go and keep that either as a spare or to put in by the pool or otherwise. If I don't need it. I'll pass it on maybe to someone that needs something to get them out of trouble for a while.

Very cool, necessity is to mother of invention. Like you said, happy wife, happy life.