This collector looks really impressive. However, isn't there a danger of galvanic corrosion between the cans (aluminum) and the contact points (copper)?
@sumixSTYXX Hi Yes I was worried about corrosion and no I do not have any coating between the copper and the aluminum in this collector but I was thinking that sweating 50/50 tin/lead solder around each contact point, that should give me good corrosion protection and still maintain a good conductive heat path.
U got to a construction supply store in Europe and buy a system like that, gov here dont want that here tho cuz they get too much money from big energy
Do the copper pipes run through the cans like heat pipes in vacuum glass tubes? Are you running water through the pipes inside the cans or are those pipes merely heats pipes and the only heat transfer occurs at the ends? Thanks for the post.
@darthom Hi The copper pipes are for water and each can has 6 contact points with the copper pipe. In testing the water had a 7 deg. temp. rise @ 2 gpm. The heat transfer from the cans to the copper pipe seems to be very good. Before I ran water through the collector I took some temps. inside the top air manifold, I had 125 deg. air temp. and 155 deg. temp. on the copper pipe. That was surprising.
Looks like it would really be a great heat transfer,I see others using plastic pipe no so good,only thing I see that might be an issue is that copper and aluminum where it touches each other may form corrosion
I have a 1/2" x 11/2" reducer with holes drilled for air flow on each end only. I made a tool that clamps to the pipe and pushes the cans tight then the reducer is soldered to the pipe to hold the cans tight. There's no glue on the cans there held very tightly by the reducers with no air leaks. Each can has contact points with the pipe. In testing it had really good heat transfer from the cans to the pipe.
looks good what do you have soldered to the pipe at the ends of the cans?are they in each can or only at the ends if only at the ends how did you connect the cans together?
This collector looks really impressive. However, isn't there a danger of galvanic corrosion between the cans (aluminum) and the contact points (copper)?
sumixSTYXX 2 weeks ago
@sumixSTYXX Hi Yes I was worried about corrosion and no I do not have any coating between the copper and the aluminum in this collector but I was thinking that sweating 50/50 tin/lead solder around each contact point, that should give me good corrosion protection and still maintain a good conductive heat path.
tensleep 2 weeks ago
U got to a construction supply store in Europe and buy a system like that, gov here dont want that here tho cuz they get too much money from big energy
patrq 3 weeks ago
Do the copper pipes run through the cans like heat pipes in vacuum glass tubes? Are you running water through the pipes inside the cans or are those pipes merely heats pipes and the only heat transfer occurs at the ends? Thanks for the post.
darthom 1 month ago
@darthom Hi The copper pipes are for water and each can has 6 contact points with the copper pipe. In testing the water had a 7 deg. temp. rise @ 2 gpm. The heat transfer from the cans to the copper pipe seems to be very good. Before I ran water through the collector I took some temps. inside the top air manifold, I had 125 deg. air temp. and 155 deg. temp. on the copper pipe. That was surprising.
tensleep 4 weeks ago
Looks like it would really be a great heat transfer,I see others using plastic pipe no so good,only thing I see that might be an issue is that copper and aluminum where it touches each other may form corrosion
indman101 1 month ago
Hi
I have a 1/2" x 11/2" reducer with holes drilled for air flow on each end only. I made a tool that clamps to the pipe and pushes the cans tight then the reducer is soldered to the pipe to hold the cans tight. There's no glue on the cans there held very tightly by the reducers with no air leaks. Each can has contact points with the pipe. In testing it had really good heat transfer from the cans to the pipe.
tensleep 5 months ago
looks good what do you have soldered to the pipe at the ends of the cans?are they in each can or only at the ends if only at the ends how did you connect the cans together?
1martyjr 5 months ago
I WANT TO SEE IT WORKING §§
WHATS THE TOP TEMP YOU GET WITH IT IN A SUNNY AND A CLOUDY DAY ,,,?
ALL I KNOW IS THAT ALUMINUM HAS THE CAPACITY TO HEAT QUICKLY §§
I CANT WAIT TO SEE STEAM GETTING OUT OF IT §§§
tyreza79 9 months ago
now that is very cool can't wait to see how it works
richallenmusic 1 year ago