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Solar Hot Water heating kits


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This may be of interest. Clearly, the listing will end, but there are others. Just search for "Chauffe Eau"

Very cheap. And good components. Interestingly, some of the components are UK sourced.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HYUNDAI-SOH-SET01-CHAUFFE-EAU-SOLAIRE-RESERVOIR-200L_W0QQitemZ7713792983QQcategoryZ519QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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Has anyone done anything with a home made solar heating system?

Suggestions for collectors - copper pipe, what diameter?, black plastic pipe, old radiators etc., what sort of pum - body material, speed control, temperature control etc.

I am not really interested in ready made systems but more in experementing.

Peter
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You would use copper pipe. Plastic pipe is inherently self-insulating. The more pipe, the more heat it will collect. But the longer it is, and the more bends, the more restrictive the flow.

To collect the sun's radiation, you need a large surface area in a heat conductive material, in matt black. The way other home-brew bods do this is to make an array of copper pipe in 22mm to cover a surface area of about 4m2.

Then, these are sandwiched between two large thin sheets. The upper one is very flat brass or tin, and the copper pipes attached using spot hard solder. Clearly, you need good contact between the upper sheet and the copper pipes. The bottom sheet is basically a support, and should be reflective. The upper sheet should then be painted matt black.

Various bits of insulation will be required at the perimeter to avoid wind cooling effect.

The pump can be very small, a 15-50 on low speed would do. Then you need a control system. Again, this can be constructed in the potting shed. 

Interesting stuff, for sure. Lots of variables and plenty to challenge your handskills and resourcefulness. Keep us posted.

Presumably you are in La Sarthe?

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Excuse me for asking what is probably a dim question, but how sunny does it need to be for these things to work?

Does it just need a few hours of sunlight ( eg no clouds) or does it require contant warm weather at least for part of the day, every day?

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  • 5 months later...

Bonjooooooooooour, just reading yer post and am interested in how youive got on???  I ve  been planning to make a system but recently managed to get some bitz cheap, will be installing later in the year.... found loads of great info on the net about diy instalations....etc..

 Made a small system last year, to work on our campervan with no pumop, worked a treat,    friends have a system on there house , they reckon that in the winter they still get hot water as long as its not mistey,, overcast days are still good,,, chesrs mark

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