This video shows how I made a system that delivers 45F (7C) water to my shower. Requires plumbing know-how and some time, but the cost of parts should be $350, less if you go with a used fridge.
This is a detailed video, intended for people who what to see how I made this device (don't expect to be highly entertained). It's also how I did it (not the right way, the best way, the way you'd do it, etc). I include my mistakes because I think those are even more helpful than the slick videos that never show anything going wrong.
The result of this project is that I can press a button on the inside of either of my two showers, and in a few seconds, city tap water that has been chilled to 45 degrees F (7 degrees C) will begin flowing out the shower head.
I acquired and installed:
Dorm Fridge Refrigerator (had one already, but $40 used to $120 new)
Plate Chiller (Heat Exchanger) $111
Utility Submersible Pump $48
Pond Liner $35
Air Switch $16
Plumbing Fittings $25
So total cost might be between $270 to $350.
Again, this is a "how-to" build video. It includes my thought process as I designed and built this thing. There was no guarantee at the beginning if this was going to work, or fail spectacularly. My videos, in order to respect your time, don't tease with any of that "what's going to happen" nonsense; the opening shot shows it working. The video is about the steps I took to get it working.
Introduction and finished product demo
Conceptual Overview https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=72
Parts to Purchase https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=119
Layout out the pipes https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=198
The wrong kind of dorm fridge https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=311
Making the fridge hold water https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=389
Folding the pond liner https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=516
Testing the ability to hold water https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=595
* * This is where I discovered this first fridge no longer chilled, so here's where I started the second fridge **
Folding the pond liner (again) https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=664
Repairing leaking threaded fittings https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=703
Second Fridge: Avoiding cutting through coils https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=721
Cutting plywood and braces to hold-back the pond liner https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=791
Setting the chiller in place & final connections https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=919
Filling the chiller with the re-circulation water https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=974
Chiller demo and parts review with prices https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=1064
Checking flow rate through the heat exchanger https://youtu.be/ePHWq3kcOfY?t=1171
