roverrescue
19th August 2010, 03:32 PM
Just interested to see if anyone has knocked up their own solar collector for heating water.
I have most of the components but too many ideas, just wanting to get the system close to right first time.
closed loop / open loop / thermosyphon or pumped? Any leads. Obviously in Cooktown I have plenty of 'ol Sol and no freezing pipes issues which should simplify things. The hot water is really only for an outside shower and washup basin that is nice to have at the shed/workshop before heading home after tinkering. Also mates tend to camp at the shed a bit so nice for them too.
My current favourite is thus:
Half a plastic 44 supported on roof, cistern float valve controlling the feed in water level to about 60L. Marine bilge pump circulating water from tank through a copper coil painted black mounted on formply under an old glass window. Power the bilge pump with a 15W solar panel.
Theory being bilge pump will only run when powered by panel, ie sunlight hours. Water will cycle through the collector plenty of times in 8 hours of sunlight, should get pretty hot. I will keep the top open in the tank such that pressure relief wont be necessary, may just float some thick polysterene on top to keep heat in. Tank may need to be insulated to maintain heat.
Steve
I have most of the components but too many ideas, just wanting to get the system close to right first time.
closed loop / open loop / thermosyphon or pumped? Any leads. Obviously in Cooktown I have plenty of 'ol Sol and no freezing pipes issues which should simplify things. The hot water is really only for an outside shower and washup basin that is nice to have at the shed/workshop before heading home after tinkering. Also mates tend to camp at the shed a bit so nice for them too.
My current favourite is thus:
Half a plastic 44 supported on roof, cistern float valve controlling the feed in water level to about 60L. Marine bilge pump circulating water from tank through a copper coil painted black mounted on formply under an old glass window. Power the bilge pump with a 15W solar panel.
Theory being bilge pump will only run when powered by panel, ie sunlight hours. Water will cycle through the collector plenty of times in 8 hours of sunlight, should get pretty hot. I will keep the top open in the tank such that pressure relief wont be necessary, may just float some thick polysterene on top to keep heat in. Tank may need to be insulated to maintain heat.
Steve