My tiny project in sunny Ecuador

[ecusolar]

I'm blocked

Folks, I'm totally blocked in my project, the duties have hundreds of people there to get their xmas present out and I'm not in the mood to wait 48 hours for getting my stuff out, will wait after that mess is over.

So I decided to get over to my water heating panel.

Today I got the fittings, 3/8" copper hose and some other stuff.

I'm still searching for the copper sheet I need as the base but there is still a chance and if I don't get it I will work with stainless steel sheet as I can get it easily but copper would be the better choice.

This is the draw how I will make it.

I hope that there will not come in some smart ass and tell me that a tiny water heating system like mine needs to be =designed= like a micro system to light 8 LED's lol.

I can make as much panels as I need if I want.

[ecusolar]

Hi Jason

Why when I click on my posted thumpnail attach it still comes out like a passport photo size?

[Mike90250]

Hi Jason

Why when I click on my posted thumpnail attach it still comes out like a passport photo size?

it's size is 457 x 251, and displays @100%

[DeltaFox 25]

it looks real good Joe.

I wish I could make pictures like that. Wayne

[ecusolar]

Thanks Wayne, but it's made only in Paint.

The Coral Draw is too complicated yet for me.

I simulated this panels with 10m of 3/8 black water hose (pro irrigation hose)in plain sun and it made me +2.8 C each round, I mean from entry to exit.

It will be feeded by a 12V 6l/min hot water pump which works on only 6W and a special solar panel generating 12V/1A, the cells (2X3) are also on the way.

As heat collector tanks I will use 3 50l stainless steel beer barrels which will be isulated twice.

I'l upload pictures when ready but I still miss the coppersheet to start.

it looks real good Joe.

I wish I could make pictures like that. Wayne

[DeltaFox 25]

Your project will be very interesting. It will be real nice to see it when you get done.

[Mike90250]

If you know anyone that welds, you could use a aluminum back sheet, it wont last forever, but it woudl be a good proof of concept. Heck, get yourself 2 coils of aluminum refrigation tubeing, and weld/braze that to a alum back sheet. A spray mist of hi-temp flat BBQ black. All done.

[ecusolar]

Yeah Mike this isn't difficult at all, three years ago I used an old Chevi air condition radiator to heat up water in the fields, it took one can of black spray, some hoses and about an hour to go.

This will be a little more nice and maybe efficient.

If you know anyone that welds, you could use a aluminum back sheet, it wont last forever, but it woudl be a good proof of concept. Heck, get yourself 2 coils of aluminum refrigation tubeing, and weld/braze that to a alum back sheet. A spray mist of hi-temp flat BBQ black. All done.

[netttech]

Ecosolar, your thumbnail picture of the panel is similiar to my idea/panel (mine failed, my standards). I'm not familiar with metric dimensions, but I think we are close to same size (5'x2'). I used 80 foot of copper tubing (rolled) 3 separate rolls, inter-connected., side-by-side. The copper tubing rested on aluminum facia (lits cheaper than copper sheet), painted black. My panel was enclosed (your picture appears to be open) with 1/2" foam on the back, with plexiglass glazing.

I don't know what you intend to use the hot water for. I wanted to use it for radiant heat. My panel failed to produced sustained 'hot enough' water, with a 1 gpm pump running. The hottest recorded temperature was 150 degrees though.

It will be interesting if your project works for you.

Good luck
Jeff

[ecusolar]

Hi Jeff, thanks for posting your experience.

I'll use the hot water only for the showers and would be fine with 150F (65.6C) about.

You will raise the temperature if you work with copper sheet and solder the tubes to it, the temp conduction will be much better.

Your panel is bigger (1 foot = 30.48 cm) but I plan to use two of them.

I always will have the advantage of the location right under the ecuator and the results will be better, also the outside temp almost never go below 25C (77F).

Joe

Ecosolar, your thumbnail picture of the panel is similiar to my idea/panel (mine failed, my standards). I'm not familiar with metric dimensions, but I think we are close to same size (5'x2'). I used 80 foot of copper tubing (rolled) 3 separate rolls, inter-connected., side-by-side. The copper tubing rested on aluminum facia (lits cheaper than copper sheet), painted black. My panel was enclosed (your picture appears to be open) with 1/2" foam on the back, with plexiglass glazing.

I don't know what you intend to use the hot water for. I wanted to use it for radiant heat. My panel failed to produced sustained 'hot enough' water, with a 1 gpm pump running. The hottest recorded temperature was 150 degrees though.

It will be interesting if your project works for you.

Good luck
Jeff

[russ]

@nettech - 'with a 1 gpm pump running'

That comes to about 225 liters per hour - a good store bought panel (flat plate) may put out 200 liters per day of 120 deg F hot water in the winter with real good sun.

Your problem is a very big mismatch between supply and consumption.

[DeltaFox 25]

I hear that they have solar powered pumps also

[ecusolar]

DC Pump

I'm using such one, it starts to work at 7V and needs only 6W (cost about 30$, shipping included), as I said, I'll make a special mini panel with 2x3 cells purchased from Fred480V.

Those cells aren't broken, they are laser cut.

The pump will not need a timer as it will work only during the day when we have enough light.

I hear that they have solar powered pumps also

[DeltaFox 25]

I thought some one would be doing that.

I have a picture for you. It's just outside my house today . 10 Degrees out.

[DeltaFox 25]

I thought someone would have one . Thats the only way to go.