solar still/solar distiller for pure water
 

Have any of you built one of these? I've been collecting rain water for years, but we've been in serious drought since early last year. It would be nice to have pure top off water on demand.

Re: solar still/solar distiller for pure water
 

No experience on solar still, but I've had excellent luck with using the water that comes from my AC / dehumidifier. Been using it about 5 years now. During the warm seasons I get a few gallons a day and stockpile it in the laundry room. Mainly I use it on my taro (which gets water spots from our tap water if it goes on the leaves, and gets salt burns if I use tap water in the winter to top up the water losses that evaporate), but also for fish, tomato plants, etc. Zero problems. I put up a few pix, but basicaly you just find the hose that drains your AC and put a jug there.

Re: solar still/solar distiller for pure water
 

Thanks! I was wondering about a/c condensate, but was concerned about the copper ions.

Re: solar still/solar distiller for pure water
 

If you had space you could build an airwell. In ancient times, these were used in places of high elevation in order to get drinking water. It is a pile of rocks that has a space underneath for a pool of water to be captured. The rocks must allow some air to pass between them, and as the sun heats the outer layer of rock, the temperature differential between the outer layer, and the cool inner layer, will cause the moisture in the air to condense. It then drips down to the catchment pool, and is drawn off as needed. It is ancient technology, but still works since there is almost always some amount of moisture in the air - even in the desert. Google it.