My new Neigbours Questions.

[SteveH]

 List

 After our temporary move to this rented house, I've had quite a few new neighbours asking me questions about renewables, having seen the Wind turbine & solar panel on the Crete-o-van...

 One neighbour Rob was already in contact with the Planning Department with the intention of installing a solar hot water system. I've printed him off some Navitron information & he's impressed enough to purchase a system. He's a retiered heating engineer so is already in a position with the help of his engineer son to install & commission his own system.

 He told me the other day that he has sent Navitron a letter asking some questions. I explained that the company prefer to work via email & the web so we got him an email address & sent the following to Navitron.

Dear Sirs,

 I have sent you a letter  about 14 days ago requesting further information on purchasing a solar hot water system, as yet I have received no reply. I understand from my neighbour, who originally suggested I contact your company, that you prefer email correspondence. With his assistance (& computer) I will email you some information & questions.

 I live in a bungalow with slate roof of 36° facing south-west the installation will be in the attic space  with 3 meters headroom to the apex.

 I would be fitting a new Hot water twin coil 180lt unvented cylinder in the loft space.

 On studying your “Installation instructions” & number 3 pipe layout diagram. I have drawn-up a working scheme & this you already have as a hard copy attached to the letter I have sent. As a unvented cylinder requires  Part: L  of the Bld Regs, a 2 port valve on solar return line operated via temp stat on cylinder. This would stop all circulation &  resulting in heat & pressure build-up in the day time.

 A couple of questions:

 1/ I live in an area subject to regular power failure & the pump would be inoperative leaving the anti-siphon valve closed, making possible heat & pressure build-up, would it be appropriate to reposition pressure relief valve & expansion tank as shown in my diagram, a minimum 2 meters from manifold.

 2/ Your suggestion of a 3 port valve for a heat dump would need to go through a heat dispersal coil of 22mm copper in the attic space,  The size  is unknown? Would you suggest a suitable  length for this coil.

  Could you please let me know method of payment, as I have read the SFB 20-58 panel is delivered by your own van, is it possible to split payment part by cheque with the order list of items & balance on delivery, & if so what % would you require.

 Yours faithfully

 Rob Hughes

 I know Ivan has said the office at Navitron are very busy at the moment, so I'll post this here as well for comments & I can print these & pass them on to Rob...

 

[mike85]

Hi Steve,

Which Navitron email address did you send this to? I'm doing my best to clear through some of the sales@navitron ones today but have not come across this one so far.

Mike

[SteveH]

 Hi Mike,

 It was sent to the sales@navitron on Aug 24 2008, 05:26 PM... I'll PM you the details of Robs email to avoid spam...

 Steve...

[wookey]

To answer question 1: Yes, if power cuts are likely then design for stagnation (we'd recommend doing that anyway), and that means keeping EV junction more than 2m from panel. (EV itself can be quite close - it's the pipe junction positions that matters.

[Ivan]

I think you are misunderstanding the function of the antisyphon valve - if the panel overheated, it wouldn't cause any thermosyphon action whether the valve was fitted or not (unless the panel is lower than the cylinder, in which case you'd leave out the antisyphon valve as it's redundant). The antisyphon valve is to prevent heat loss at night

I'd recommend a radiator for the heat dispersal rather than uninsulated loop of pipe. You'd need the ability to disperse around 1.5kW of heat.

You can pay by cheque/credit card/google checkout/bank transfer. We don't do cash on delivery at present.

[SteveH]

Thank you Wookey & Ivan,

 I'll pass the information on to Rob & let him contact navitron directly...

 Steve...

 Passed Navitrons address on to two other neighbours... one is looking for a Solar panel for his Caravan & the other is looking for renewables for a new build... Amazing the amount of interest one panel & a small turbine have generated...

[SteveH]

 Bit of an update...

 Rob ordered his system components from Navitron & with the physical help of his grandson installed it on his bungalow. As he had managed to loose the origanal files from his camera he gave me some photos, these he had printed onto plain paper. I've scanned them to show you his finished system, so I apologise for the less than perfect quality...







 The system has been up & running for a few weeks now, Rob's more than happy with the results, & would like to thank Mike & Navitron for there assistance & also CeeBee Who's installation writeup he loosly followed... not bad for somebody well past retirement (Puts me to shame... )

 Steve...

[AndySV1K]

Expansion vessel is upside down.

Andy.

[O MidKnight]

Yes although easier to check the pressure if needed!

[chickensoup]

 I like the dump.......cool!

[Paulh_Boats]

Another step towards a better world, congratulations.

friendly advice:
Needs all the pipes insulated, taped and cable tied....and plenty of room for more cosy insulation, aim for 500mm.

cheers,
Paul

[SteveH]

 Thanks for the replies guys, I'll pass them on to Rob...