Pics, Frame for 15 tube, integral stainless steel tank

[Stu-M]

Hello,

Ive just put together the framework for the integral tank, then striped it down and had another go , the second time I managed to use all of the parts in the kit so I thought I would take some pics of it. Ill post a couple more pics when the tubes are all in.
















Stuart.

[Ivan]

Thank you very much! I am sure this will be extremely helpful to anyone else putting one of these together. Even though I have done it several times, it always seems to be a bit of a jigsaw when I first get the stainless steel sections out!

Ivan

[martin]

Stu - many, many thanks for that - it saved me hours!

[martin]

got mine up and running today! Not a lot of data as yet, but the water went in at 11.30 this morning at 16 deg C, and by 5 had reached a smidgeon under 50!
Another point to be borne in mind when putting it together is that when you first offer the tubes up to the tank, it looks like they're too long!
The secret is that the tubes will slide right up into the tank if you keep pushing. I found the easiest way is to slather washing up liquid all round the silicon gasket thingy in the tank, and apply another load over the end of the tube - then push up firmly, and twist at the same time - push it far enough in to get the base and cup into the holder at the bottom of the tube, and then pull the tube back down to "tighten" the tube up!

[marky]

Hi Stu,
Great pics. I am seriously thinking of getting one of these units, as it would suit our needs better that a fixed panel on the roof.

I have a copule of questions. Could you please tell me what is the height and width of the unit ? Did you buy the Thermal Store option?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Mark

[wyleu]

I wonder how many of your Neighbours will report you to central control for having a rocket launcher in your back garden

[martin]

funny you should say that..........a couple of days ago, there was I, mid-afternoon, standing in the doorway of my shed, and became aware of a very low flying aircraft, banking round the garden - I flashed him a churchillian salute, and was amazed to find that he went around for several passes.........I shot inside, thought briefly about an air rifle, and grabbed my digi camera - next pass round, I blazed away, and managed to extract the number from one of the frames - punched the registration number into Google, and found the company's 'phone number................
I enquired none too politely why their sodding aircraft was "buzzing" my garden at an illegally low height (nearer 200' than 500'). The bloke was apologetic, and explained that they were an "Aerial survey company" - "oh, googlemaps, that sort of thing?" - no we undertake commisssions for several bodies!!!!
"May I enquire as to whom is peering into my back garden?" - "sorry sir, we undertake work for several bodies, often planning departments, the police etc........and we have a confidentiality agreement......."
So I mentioned the rocket launchers with the big stainless steel atom bomb on top, and told him I would put the kettle on for the anti-terrorist squad!
All laughs aside, it's symptomatic of this godalmighty dreadful, spiteful, sneaky country we now live in - I shall seek planning consent for a twin bofors gun!

[Muwit]

Hi, after reading with interest many of the posts here, I have finally got around to joining!

I would be really interested to know of peoples experiences with this type of heater as I am thinking about getting one to these. I would probably be looking at the one with the heat exchanger but I can find no comments about how good the results are. I am in Hampshire and have a suitable shelter south facing spot in mind but will it be able to provide enough heat for 2 showers, one load of washing/dishwasher and my sons (shallow) bath each day?

I have been playing around with home made versions and been amazed by the results, so I would imagine it would cope?

Thanks from the latest Newbie!

Chris

[martin]

we got ours to use as a demonstration of solar hot water at festivals this year, and I wanted to try it out, so it's sitting on my back lawn on trial. (mine's the "simple" version without the heat exchanger).
        After a good sunny day there is bags of hot water that should comfortably give at least a couple of baths - I'm pretty frugal with bathwater, so you could probably get four small ones!
Overall, very impressed!

[Muwit]

Thanks Martin, that is useful to know.

Do you have any early indications of how this will perform when the weather is overcast or how long the contents of the tank stay warm, does it lose much heat over night?

Thanks

Chris

[martin]

I've found it loses very little overnight (3 degrees or so), but on a really dull day, it doesn't do a lot of warming up!

[Ivan]

Most of the loss is due to evaporation of the water - in cold night air, you can see a plume of 'steam' rising form the the vent on the top. I am sure that the heat loss could be significantly reduced by loosely capping the vent. (eg plastic or rubber cap)

Ivan

[manwithtool]

Given that it's Stainless steel....could I put the swimming pool water thru it ? or is there some other part of the unit that can;t take chlorianted water.. ?

Thanks

[Ivan]

I think you can - people have done it, and I have heard no problems. I think the seals are made from a neoprene-like material - not sure how chlorine copes with this. Possibly long-term there may be a problem, but it would be possible to get hold of spare seals if this is the case.


Ivan

[browbeaten]

The picture and information here have been helpful.   I am contemplating a flat roof install  using SFD (with the internal mains pressure coil) and have a couple of questions.

I am interested in dimensions of the frame - (I assume this unit had 47mm 1.5m  tubes)

Is there a pocket for a temperature sensor on the tank?

What is the experience of cold weather?  I guess the tank is well insulated and has "thermal mass"  but would the pipe runs need extra insulation beyond the Armaflex.   

I assume form Ivan's comments that the vent allows boil off from the tank to deal with possible overheating - Would I need a PRV on the mains coil?
(One of the reasons I want to monitor the temperature in the tank is to control a motorised "dump" valve if the temperature gets too hot) 

If the tank is venting water vapour  - do  I need to top it up regularly?