Solar Water Heater Build Your Own

[astrialkil]

What is the flow rate on this? Could this be used as a pump to fill a hot water tank on the roof from a cold water cistern?

[svtuition]

I could not understand how did you make this.

[amberjacksolar]

Solar power is indeed the future of our planet.

[JTGOB2]

This is what is called an ICS system.  People in NZ, Hawaii, etc. can safely use these, but they will not work in most areas of the world due to freezing.

[catatonicable]

Can you prefeed a pressure geyser this way or will it cause a problem??

[andrew0901280]

whats the formula how do you get the answer

[cantecleer]

-- wow, very nice man. I've read lots of the project designs at "Builditsolar" (dot) com and am building my own Batch heater. Your design looks very cool and I'm impressed you were able to pull it off back in 70's without all the bells and whistles that most of us take for granted now... I even see on builditsolar another Kiwi built a thermosyphon unit in the 60's (there's a fairly detailed pdf on it there). Was it a big movement back then, or were you both just ahead of the curve? =D

[solarwaterheater]

Yes you are wright the volume is not the best it was my first  video .

[kakarott829]

@solarwaterheater So for how long does the tank keep the water at this temperature? How hot would the water in the tank be in early morning?

[lisag65256]

I was really interested but had a really hard time hearing it....Issue with the volume

[RikterZilla]

I like it.

[sabriath]

(continued) for one, you can have a tube with a full barrier in the middle. Inside is 2 fans connected to each other through the barrier, and 4 connection points (1 before and 1 after each fan):

O>O|O>O

Connect 1 to output from heater, 2 to reservoir hot, 3 to reservoir cold, and 4 to input to heater. Acts like a turbocharger to help circulate the water faster.

[sabriath]

What i never understood is why people put the hot water line at the top. Wouldn't it be more efficient to put both cold and hot on opposite side of the bottom? The heat of the water rises, which would make the hot water exit into the "colder" parts of the water and make it hot, so that when the "cold" gets pushed into the heater, it will have already gotten a little heat from the outlet. Then again, I think the design can be completely reworked for high efficiency.

[RikterZilla]

Because the coldest water in the tank will sink to tanks bottom & flow into heat collector.

[TheWindMillMan]

very very good sir

[andrew0901280]

60 degrees c.

so whats that in F

[solarwaterheater]

Hi Here is the answer to your question.

On my website I have a photo of my first swh the collector size was 1200*2400 mm it was connected to a header tank of 135 litres in the N Z summer it would heat water to 82 Celsius.

Answer

Temperature(Fahrenheit) = Temperature(Celsius) * 9 / 5 + 32

So in this case:

60 degrees Celsius * 9 / 5 + 32 = 140 degrees Fahrenheit

[redsonya100]

@andrew0901280 60 degrees celsius is 140 fahrenheit.

[catatonicable]

@andrew0901280 Less twenty then half it, thats roughly, or double it and add 20 if you want to go from c to f.

[e39dreamBITCH]

very cool thank you for sharing!

[MihiLibertas]

thats 140 F..you could also use and old water heater as the tank.

[oomblikkies]

This design has a few rather serious disadvantages. 1. water is heated in the solar panet, which means that this device will freeze uo during winter. The ice mat even crack the solar unit.. 2, These solar heaters do not operate well when its raining, or even under partly cloudy conditions.

[solarwaterheater]

Yes the water is heated in the solar collector and it is possible it could freeze up in the winter conditions of some countries. But I have never heard of this happening.They do work in rain or cloudy conditions as a preheater like most other solar heaters.

The design is ideal for a DIY person that wants to have a go at building their own SWH and is great for a batch or where there is no electricity.

[luc59457]

No it won't freeze during the winter if it is kept warm. And if it does, concentrated sun could quickly thaw it.

[vutEwa]

@oomblikkies where's your better solution, or better video? oh.. let me guess, you only know how to degrade those who actually make things that work by pointing out something that you don't like about it. so where's the advantage to your method of cutting down others? let me guess.... you do not have solar water or electricity or anything. i bet you slave for the man, live paycheck to paycheck and will never build anything with your own hands.

[oomblikkies]

@vutEwa I do have a 300litre solar heated geyser and that is why I know where the pitfalls in solar heating will occur. Yes, it is a fantastic way to save electricity, but one must be aware of the limitations in solar heating - there are so many different solar heaters commercially available, some with obvious shortcomings that it pays to do your homework before you decide on a specific heater.

[vutEwa]

@oomblikkies well I am one of the possible millions of people on this planet who detest people like you who make negative comments without offering a solution. that leads people to confusion. since this is a public forum, i wish to point out that my interpretation is you are envious of the video maker because he took the time and effort to educate. perhaps in your mind you are thinking "how dare he post that video". people like you should just butt out unless you offer a positive improvement.

[oomblikkies]

@vutEwa Why would I be envious - I told you I have my own solar powered geyser and it works very nicely, thank you.

[vutEwa]

@oomblikkies (cont.) see even you recognize there is a "fantastic way to save electricity". so where is the negative aspects of making a system like this? you're out of place with your comments and out of place with the mood of the self-sufficient independent spirits who are trying to improve their lives. BUTT OUT. you're not wanted here!

[oomblikkies]

@vutEwa No, I will not butt out just because you say so. I will continue to give my honest and constructive criticism because I do have a physical and chemical science background and much of the operation of these heaters are based on some very simple properties of water as well as the temperature transfer from the collector (solar panel) to the water in the geyser. Your approach reminds me so much of the cliche "if you can not argue the science, then attack the man".

[tmomof6]

@oomblikkies, I fail to see anything constructive from you & what part of over 30 yrs & 150 * F (60*C) so you not understand?

It works. Get over it.

[viking1au]

More details on the flat panel might be nice. - Otherwise, it looks great.

[solarwaterheater]

I used plate glass and have never had it crack. you need to be very careful how the glass is secured and it must not be under any stress.

[glanworthmacs]

what kind of glass did u use. i used 6mm thick glass and it cracked

[davidlia]

wow!amazing

[pimpinuall]

you need to speak up

[cycloneCJproducts]

turn your volume up, I heard him fine!

[78knight]

TRUE. WE MAY NEED A POWER HOUSE .