Share
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 21 to 40 of 47

Thread: Solar Water Heater

  1. #21

    Default

    Round surface makes sense. 118 degrees on a cloudy day at the tank. Not bad (plenty hot if a good size tank). As long as snow drips off it, probably good in the winter too.

    Reason I asked about the roof was leaks and hurricanes for me. We get those and a hurricane would catch it. They can break a stop sign post. It is amazing the power they have.

    Great project Shane. I will let you work out the bugs and bother you for getting one going for me later hahahaha.. We get nothing but hot here (10 month or more of the year and sun all the time).
    Mike R.
    Email: admineverlast@everlastwelders.com
    www.everlastgenerators.com
    www.everlastwelders.com
    877-755-9353 x203
    M-F 12 - 7PM PST
    FYI: PP50, PP80, IMIG-200, IMIG-250P, 210EXT and 255EXT.

  2. #22

    Default

    Actually I am rather impressed with the performance. Around 3 - 3:15 it cleared up and was mostly sunny this afternoon. I checked the temps at approx 5:30 and it showed 147 at the collectors and 134 at the tank. I just checked and the tank is at 137. It is 73 outside and the collector is at 94 still.

    Mike, the only concern I would have with these for you would be flying debris. The "panels" themselves shouldn't create too much lift with all the gaps between tubes. The install was fairly simple, I did it all by myself (could have used 2 people to mount the panels on the pole...) My only advice would be to build your own work station.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  3. #23

    Default

    Today was the first sunny day (at least 90% of the time) and the lower tank temp made it up to 155. Not too shabby!!!
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  4. #24

    Default

    Just a quick update for anyone interested... So far I have only had one time the hot water wasn't too hot, It was rainy all day and after my wife took her bath the hot water was only warm. I checked the tank and it was 92. Considering that we had probably used most of the hot water the night before and the 50 - 60 gallons my wife used for her bath... I still say not bad. As long as I don't have 2 days strait of all day clouds, most of the hot water should come from solar heat.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  5. #25

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ShaneJackson View Post
    Just a quick update for anyone interested... So far I have only had one time the hot water wasn't too hot, It was rainy all day and after my wife took her bath the hot water was only warm. I checked the tank and it was 92. Considering that we had probably used most of the hot water the night before and the 50 - 60 gallons my wife used for her bath... I still say not bad. As long as I don't have 2 days strait of all day clouds, most of the hot water should come from solar heat.
    Hope it holds up when the snow comes. Still not bad figuring all the time the hot water heater is not one. Maybe flip it on for a backup at 96 or so?
    Mike R.
    Email: admineverlast@everlastwelders.com
    www.everlastgenerators.com
    www.everlastwelders.com
    877-755-9353 x203
    M-F 12 - 7PM PST
    FYI: PP50, PP80, IMIG-200, IMIG-250P, 210EXT and 255EXT.

  6. #26

    Default

    Yea I am wondering how well it is going to do in a few months as well. One of the things that is affecting the performance is the fact that the house is blocking the sun on the tubes until 9:30 - 10am and then there are trees in the back that block the sun after 5:30-6:00pm. I am guessing I am loosing about 4 hours of sun (or getting 8 good hours). I am not sure how much of a difference the 4 hours would make because that is the times the sun would be at very sharp angles to the tubes anyways. I am guessing around 20% more BTU output if I had those 4 hours.

    Depending on how things go this winter I may expand the system. One thing I have thought of doing was doubling the tubes and using it to heat the house as well.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Greater Seattle, WA
    Posts
    813

    Default

    Is breeding harmful bacteria that thrives in warm water (like Legionella) a concern for these types of water heating systems? Are you piping your potable water through that solar collector?
    '13 Everlast 255EXT
    '07 Everlast Super200P

  8. #28

    Default

    No. There is a double walled heat exchanger in the hot water storage tank. The water that circulates thru the solar collectors is isolated. This is also done so you can use antifreeze in the system.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  9. #29

    Default

    Normally all potable water and spent within a day. Sounds like Shane's might be a sealed unit if he can add anti-freeze.

    Mine WAS freon from the AC units on the house, through the hot water tank in hot pipes. I like the potable water thru the system, shower wash, maybe cook and done.
    Mike R.
    Email: admineverlast@everlastwelders.com
    www.everlastgenerators.com
    www.everlastwelders.com
    877-755-9353 x203
    M-F 12 - 7PM PST
    FYI: PP50, PP80, IMIG-200, IMIG-250P, 210EXT and 255EXT.

  10. #30

    Default

    I have seen both sealed (like mine) and systems that have a tank built in above the heat tubes. They offer less heat loss due to the piping but do not have the capacity that the other systems offer. Also I dont think their tanks are insulated as good as a seperate tank (I may be wrong, but the ones i have seen dont seem to be).

    I can use antifreeze but am not. I am just using plain water. I am not worried about freezing, and the system actualy has an antifreeze program in it. If it gets too cold it will turn the pump on and heat the outside pipes with the heat from the tank.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  11. #31

    Default

    In Florida we can go either way. Not sure about up North there. So long as you save money, that is the deal. Any idea on savings and payback?
    Mike R.
    Email: admineverlast@everlastwelders.com
    www.everlastgenerators.com
    www.everlastwelders.com
    877-755-9353 x203
    M-F 12 - 7PM PST
    FYI: PP50, PP80, IMIG-200, IMIG-250P, 210EXT and 255EXT.

  12. #32

    Default

    My total cost was $2842. Tax rebates were Federal 30% State 35% so total credit of 65% or 1847.30 for a net cost of $994.70. My tankless uses roughly $50 a month of gas so that is a ROI of 19.89 months.... Add back for the electrical used and I will probably be closer to the 2 year mark.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  13. #33
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Greater Seattle, WA
    Posts
    813

    Default

    I remember reading something about antifreeze a couple pages back, and it makes sense now. So the tank is an indirect water heater? Sounds pretty slick.
    '13 Everlast 255EXT
    '07 Everlast Super200P

  14. #34

    Default

    I have a solar project that is on the back burner. Heard that the % difference between CU and CPVC was small, so I'm going to test both. Modified a HF tube roller to make fins, FAIL.. have to work on that one, or just bend them in the brake.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	sol1.jpg 
Views:	500 
Size:	135.9 KB 
ID:	8822Click image for larger version. 

Name:	sol2.jpg 
Views:	463 
Size:	147.6 KB 
ID:	8823Click image for larger version. 

Name:	sol3.jpg 
Views:	479 
Size:	142.9 KB 
ID:	8824Click image for larger version. 

Name:	sol4.jpg 
Views:	503 
Size:	131.1 KB 
ID:	8825Click image for larger version. 

Name:	sol5.jpg 
Views:	467 
Size:	150.1 KB 
ID:	8826
    Everlast PowerPlasma70
    Hobart Ironman 230
    Lincoln A-D/C 225
    'Classic' Everlast Powertig 200DX 'We don't need no steenkin pre-flow..'
    jakemateer.com

  15. #35
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Cambridge, ON. CA
    Posts
    111

    Default

    Interesting! This thread got me reading more about solar heating. My gas tank heater is gone and I just bought a tankless a month ago but haven't installed it yet. The problem I'm having is dealing with the extremely hard water we have here. Which is why the tank heater died too. My thinking is that since heat precipitates the minerals maybe I can use a solar heater to condition the water and then filter out the minerals before it goes through the tankless. And in the summer, I may not even need to run the tankless if I configure the solar heating system right.

    I see Shane has the evacuated tube design. Probably gona go with a well insulated flat plate design myself. There are no more rebates here so it's a DIY job. Jakes design looks promising and he'll be subjected to more of the same condition I'd be facing too.

    In terms of the collectors here's what I'm thinking. 4x6 aluminum box, 4" deep with multiwall UV stabilized polycarbonate glazing. 1/2" EPS insulation all around and under the painted copper continuous piping. The piping will be soldered onto an aluminum sheet that'll be painted black as well. It'll be sealed and filled with a noble gas. Depending on the price I'd prefer to use xeon, krypton or Argon, in that order. What do you guys think? Anything you'd change or add?

    This is a side project that'll be dictated by finances and time. Until then more google-fu and reading.
    PowerArc 140ST
    Victor VPT-100FC

  16. #36

    Default

    There's a bunch of interesting designs here: http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...m#1KSolarWater

    Some of the designs and implementations are intended for heating domestic hot water and/or heating the home. I bet the designs could be scaled down quite a bit and still be effective for what you're looking to do.

    I'm considering something as a sort of pre-heater for my hot water heater. Not big enough to stand alone, but if the water going into the heater is already 100 degrees, then it'll almost never have to actually do anything except keep the water hot. And in my climate (Arizona), it's pretty easy to get enough sun to get SOME heating most of the year. My ROI should be really fast, especially if I don't sink more than $100 into it.
    Everlast PowerArc 140ST

  17. #37

    Default

    Just wanted to post a quick update:

    Starting around mid Nov the sun started felling in the horizon to the point that I am getting shading by 2pm (at the worst). I have switched back to gas for now. I can cut some trees and gain 1 to 2 hours at best or start running electric backup.... Not what I was hopping... this effectively cuts 2-3 months of the year out.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  18. #38
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Whine Country, California
    Posts
    442

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ShaneJackson View Post
    Just wanted to post a quick update:

    Starting around mid Nov the sun started felling in the horizon to the point that I am getting shading by 2pm (at the worst). I have switched back to gas for now. I can cut some trees and gain 1 to 2 hours at best or start running electric backup.... Not what I was hopping... this effectively cuts 2-3 months of the year out.
    We've only been getting a few hours of good sunlight around here too, even on a sunny day! In the summer, we get sun from 7am to around 5:30pm, but lately it's been from 11am to 1:30pm.

    As for the solar hot water setup, I like yours a lot! My dad just removed the 2nd water (pre-heat) tank from the garage roof due to the roof leaking, so we have no more solar hot water helping to lower our bill. The first tank started to leak a while back, and I was thinking of welding the seam split so that tank could be used for solar on the hot tub. It's more of a back burner project for the future though.

    Like you, we could use a trimming on our neighbor's trees (say about 12" from the base! Haha). Not only does it block out our sunlight, but we get all kinds of digital breakup while watching TV on the antenna. Especially if it's windy out!

    Pics of one solar cart (losing daylight by the minute!) and the leaky stainless water (pre-heat) tank are attached. The neighbor's think we're idiots for trying to save on our household expenses...yet they complain about their $200-300 PG&E bills constantly and they're never even home!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1132.jpg 
Views:	447 
Size:	142.9 KB 
ID:	9469   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1131.jpg 
Views:	423 
Size:	144.2 KB 
ID:	9468  
    Andy
    New Everlast PowerTig 250EX that is begging for me to come up with a few welding projects so it can stretch it's legs. Did someone say aluminum???

    MISC. TOOLS:
    Atlas 618 lathe
    Milwaukee Porta Band with custom made stand
    Dewalt 4-1/2" angle grinder
    Dewalt 14" chop saw

    Strong Hand Nomad portable table
    Juki sewing machine I've had for years (yes I know sewing is for girls)

  19. #39

    Default

    My wife don't like the look of the solar panels and solar water heater either. But it is more of what others must think than the actual looks. I just tell her, if anyone actually knows what they are looking at, they know how expensive it is and will be envious. Personally I could care less what anyone thinks.
    Everlast PowerTig 200DX
    Everlast Supercut 50P
    I need a MIG.... which one to buy:
    I-Mig 160, I-Mig 200, or a MTS 160

  20. #40
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Whine Country, California
    Posts
    442

    Default

    I think it's funny when the power goes out at night and all the neighbors are standing around in the street with their flashlights complaining about not being prepared for a power outage....Meanwhile we're watching TV or movies while PG&E is fixing the power lines. I totally with you on not caring what anyone thinks!
    Andy
    New Everlast PowerTig 250EX that is begging for me to come up with a few welding projects so it can stretch it's legs. Did someone say aluminum???

    MISC. TOOLS:
    Atlas 618 lathe
    Milwaukee Porta Band with custom made stand
    Dewalt 4-1/2" angle grinder
    Dewalt 14" chop saw

    Strong Hand Nomad portable table
    Juki sewing machine I've had for years (yes I know sewing is for girls)

Similar Threads

  1. Any of you guys using Solar Flux B
    By DiabolicZ in forum TIG Welding (GTAW/GTAW-P)
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-25-2013, 04:56 AM
  2. New Water Heater
    By Powertig in forum Personal Projects (no welder required)
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-03-2012, 04:57 AM
  3. Project 3, Solar Tig Welding, from Tritium
    By Tritium in forum Hobyist Projects
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-22-2011, 01:48 AM
  4. Water Coolers
    By Richard in forum General Welder Questions
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 04-15-2011, 01:07 AM
  5. Electric Wall Heater Repair
    By jakeru in forum Welding Repairs
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-07-2011, 06:13 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •