Do we have a good DIY water solar collector
amdx
If you have any URLs, please post.
Thanks, Mike
amdx
"amdx" <am...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:68808$48dbefc0$4501396f$13...@KNOLOGY.NET...
> Has anyone designed an inexpensive DIY water type solar collector?
> If you have any URLs, please post.
> Thanks, Mike
>
post to alt.solar.thermal, did I break it :-)
Mike, in search of the inexpensive
solar collector.
SteveC
I'm looking to make a cheap solar water pool heater. I've got an idea, but
putting it to practical is another thing!!
steve
"amdx" <am...@knology.net> wrote in message
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amdx
"SteveC" <stevec...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:48de1b2d$0$5493$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
> YOU BROKE IT~~~~!!! LOL
> I'm looking to make a cheap solar water pool heater. I've got an idea,
> but putting it to practical is another thing!!
>
> steve
>
Hi Steve,
There's been some discussion about coroplast ( corrugated plastic as used
for signs) I like the price, but
durability and sealing the edges is a problem. I was in Home Depot yesterday
and noticed a sign display,
It was heavy duty black corugated plastic but thicker, maybe 5/16" to 3/8".
I'm going to try to find the source and
get a sample or picture.
Here are a few companies that make corrugated plastic.
http://www.northamericancontainer.com/North_American_Container/Corrugated_Plastic.html
http://www.diversi-plast.com/diversiplast/DivPlast.nsf/8%20Plastic%20Styles?OpenPage#cs
http://www.melmat.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=8&tabid=72
http://www.nelsonplastic.com/6501.html
http://www.acrilex.com/
http://www.primexplastics.com/products/corx.htm
http://www.millsind.com/products.htm
If someone in these companies saw a product oppurtunity they could build
the material to last longer and
also have the equipment to put headers on that would not leak.
I seems to me if they could make it last 10 years, they could market it,
for DIYers and manufacturers.
Mike
David Williams
-> > If you have any URLs, please post.
-> > Thanks, Mike
-> >
-> It's been 39 hours since I posted and I haven't seen a response or a new
-> post to alt.solar.thermal, did I break it :-)
-> Mike, in search of the inexpensive
-> solar collector.
I have seen a couple of posts dated yesterday, Sep 26, i.e. after yours
of Sep 25. I guess they haven't reached you.
However, neither of them was a reply to your question.
dow
amdx
"David Williams" <david.w...@bayman.org> wrote in message
news:1222544398.9...@bayman.org...
>-> > Has anyone designed an inexpensive DIY water type solar collector?
> -> > If you have any URLs, please post.
> -> > Thanks, Mike
> -> >
> -> It's been 39 hours since I posted and I haven't seen a response or a
> new
> -> post to alt.solar.thermal, did I break it :-)
> -> Mike, in search of the
> inexpensive
> -> solar collector.
>
> I have seen a couple of posts dated yesterday, Sep 26, i.e. after yours
> of Sep 25. I guess they haven't reached you.
>
Were they new posts or responses to other posts?
Mike
ga...@builditsolar.com
Here are two collector designs that I have been working on:
This one uses copper risers with aluminum heat absorbing fins:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/CopperAlumCollector/CopperAlumCol.htm
This one use PEX-AL-PEX tubing to convey the heat transfer fluid, and
aluminum heat absorbing fins:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXCollector/PEXCollector.htm
I think they are both pretty easy to build, but you can take a look at
the how-to's and see what you think.
The first first comes in at $6/sqft, and the 2nd at $4/sqft -- using
all new, high quality materials.
Most people will be able to find all the materials locally.
The saving is around $700 per collector when you include the cost of
truck freight on commercial collectors.
The links include some very detailed how-to's.
By my testing, the first comes in at 96% of the heat output of the
traditional copper fins soldered or welded to copper risers, and the
2nd comes in at 84%. The tests are here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXCollector/SmallPanelTests.htm
This is a DIY domestic solar water heating system that can use either
of the two collectors above:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXColDHW/Overview.htm
More DIY collector plans here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm
and,
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/Space_Heating.htm
Gary
David Williams
-> > of Sep 25. I guess they haven't reached you.
-> >
-> Were they new posts or responses to other posts?
-> Mike
Responses. They were both about the subject "Preheating water by
running pipes through attic". There have been quite a few previous
messages in that thread.
dow
nicks...@ece.villanova.edu
>Here are two collector designs that I have been working on...
>
>This one uses copper risers with aluminum heat absorbing fins:
>http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/CopperAlumCollector/CopperAlumCol.htm
Where's the solar pond heater? :-)
Nick
amdx
<ga...@builditsolar.com> wrote in message
news:494d6bf0-b1ca-4c33...@j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
Hi Mike,
Here are two collector designs that I have been working on:
This one uses copper risers with aluminum heat absorbing fins:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/CopperAlumCollector/CopperAlumCol.htm
This one use PEX-AL-PEX tubing to convey the heat transfer fluid, and
aluminum heat absorbing fins:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXCollector/PEXCollector.htm
I think they are both pretty easy to build, but you can take a look at
the how-to's and see what you think.
The first first comes in at $6/sqft, and the 2nd at $4/sqft -- using
all new, high quality materials.
Most people will be able to find all the materials locally.
The saving is around $700 per collector when you include the cost of
truck freight on commercial collectors.
I see a lot about stagnation, I live in Florida, I think stagnation could
be a big problem
with the amount of sun here. I would think the copper version would be
safer.
Once I have hot water what else can I do with the heat?
What methods are used to avoid stagnation (collector overheating) problems?
Thanks, Mike
ga...@builditsolar.com
> <g...@builditsolar.com> wrote in message
>
> news:494d6bf0-b1ca-4c33...@j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Hi Mike,
>
> Here are two collector designs that I have been working on:
>
>
> This one use PEX-AL-PEX tubing to convey the heat transfer fluid, and
> aluminum heat absorbing fins:http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXCollector/PEXCollector.htm
>
> I think they are both pretty easy to build, but you can take a look at
> the how-to's and see what you think.
> The first first comes in at $6/sqft, and the 2nd at $4/sqft -- using
> all new, high quality materials.
> Most people will be able to find all the materials locally.
> The saving is around $700 per collector when you include the cost of
> truck freight on commercial collectors.
>
> I see a lot about stagnation, I live in Florida, I think stagnation could
> be a big problem
> with the amount of sun here. I would think the copper version would be
> safer.
> Once I have hot water what else can I do with the heat?
> What methods are used to avoid stagnation (collector overheating) problems?
> Thanks, Mike
Hi Mike,
The collector with the copper risers and aluminum fins would for sure
be the safest choice from a stagnation point of view.
I think that all around its probably the better choice for most
people. I looked into the PEX collector because there was a lot of
interest in making use of PEX in a collector. With careful attention
to a good thermal bond between the PEX and the aluminum fin, it works
surprisingly well, but, I think, for most people its worth a little
extra to use the limited amount of copper and gain both performance
and more stagnation temperature resistance.
In Florida, solar heating domestic water is kind of a no-brainer.
I guess that depending on your location in Florida, winter space
heating is also an option.
Hot tub heating?
More applications here:
http://www.rushforthsolar.com/
and
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PoolHeating/pool_heating.htm
and
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/Space_Heating.htm
Gary