Evacuated tube heat pipe array

[ArconCitadel]

You can use thermal paste between the heatpipe and manifold. The same stuff used for seating a heat sink on a cpu. Great videos. Thanks.

[sundug69]

@ArconCitadel Thermal paste use in electronics is expensive. I used copper anti sieze compound, found at any auto parts store, a lot cheaper.

[ArconCitadel]

@sundug69 Great tip, Thanks! 

[mgc2059]

Do you have plans drawn up for this solar heater? I would like to heat my 85 gal electric hot water heater for my home, what would I need to do this?

[sundug69]

@mgc2059 There are several different types of solar hot water systems. I would need to know more about your particular situation before I could recommend one for you. I suggest you join both of these yahoo groups- simply solar and solar heat, and describe your situation- southern exposure (In northern hemisphere), shading, distance and elevation to existing water heater, number on people, in house, your location, etc. Also look around builditsolar DOT c om

[sundug69]

@mgc2059 Sorry, just saw your post. I do not have plans for this style solar water heater, but builditsolarDOT com has lots of solar heating info.

[sundug69]

@mgc2059 Sorry, just saw your post. I do not have plans for this style solar water heater, but build it solar DOT com (remove spaces) has lots of solar heating info.

[captnnero]

The header insulation should be lined with reflective material to reduce IR loss radiating from the metal structures inside.

[sundug69]

@captnnero Reflective material (Radiant barrier) only works with an air space, which would be difficult to achieve in this instance, as the foam in place insulation would push out the air.

[captnnero]

@sundug69 The video clearly shows a relatively large rectangular air space surrounding the header piping at 0:25. Even if you fill in the airspace, IR reflection only requires about a 1/4" airspace for the wavelength. Also, the reflective material needs to stay dust free which should be mostly achievable in a closed cavity without breakdown of the insulating foam. Do you have any comparative performance data with and without the external reflectors ?

[sundug69]

@captnnero That space you refer to becomes filled with expanding foam in place insulation. If radiant barrier was wrapped around the header, the expansion of the foam would press it against the tubing, negating it's reflective properties. Doug

[sundug69]

@captnnero The foam expands and fills in all of the air space, negating the use of radiant barrier.

[aguantetopsy]

Hey friend. Thank you very much. I am from Argentina and this video is very usefull for me too. However I ve a question.You fill the tube just with 8 ml? Because i ve read that it is a mix with top up water?

Thanks man

[sundug69]

@aguantetopsy No water, just 8cc acetone

[aguantetopsy]

Hey friend. Thank you very much. I am from Argentina and this video is very usefull for me too. However I ve a question.You fill the tube just with 8 ml? Because i ve read that it is a mix with top up water?

Thanks man

[1foxtrot70]

I also like the possibility of connecting more headers together to gather more heat. Very elegant!

[1foxtrot70]

When you made up your header would you get a better transfer of heat if you brased rather than solder the sleeves to the header?

[sundug69]

I don't think so

[extreme2locura]

I love your videos. do you have one for making the tube as well? I would like to play with this idea some. I'm just getting started on my first heat pipe. thanks for the video

[sundug69]

You cannot make the evacuated tubes, you have to buy them

[antiqueeagle62]

where do you get those tubes and how much do they cost?

[the1969info]

Hi, I like your video. Explains a lot I didnt know. I had an idea, with your knowledge maybe you could answer it for me. I seen you pour water on the heated copper tube. That was great by the way. My question is: Couldn't someone extend the length of the tube, so that you could install these tubes on the south wall of your home and the tube or tubes would extend into the home where you could have a fan blowing onto it to disperse the heat throughout the home?

Thanks a lot for the videos.

[sundug69]

Yes, you could but there are cheaper, easier ways to space heat, Search "solar space heaters"

[sundug69]

Commercial product, but I`m going to make a form to copy it

[Thieni1]

Like your reflector, is that a commercial product or home made

cheers!

[bjetTube]

Thanks for all of your videos. How hot do the HP's get? If heat is not extracted using the header and antifreeze circuit would the HP's burst?

[sundug69]

Insulated, stagnating, I`ve seen 310*F. With the proper amount of working fluid, no bursting.

[shoestring405]

Looks great. Very interesting way of going about it. I would like to see it when you get it installed. Please post any testing results.

[jcanivan]

Nice Job Doug