30 tube install complete

[insolare]

After replacing 1 broken tube (many thanks to Martin) I completed my install this morning in the rain. 

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/grahameh/SolarPanel?feat=directlink

[Amy]

Looks great.

[insolare]

I ache in places I shoudln't ache. I've got holes in places that shouldn't have holes. Cuts, scrapes, scratches........and I want to do this stuff for a living? I must be mad! 

[Amy]

Ah yes, and to think that all sorts of professionals dreamed of jacking in a good career because of the stress to become a plumber, thinking it would be something to boast of at dinner parties, buy them some attonement for their former misdemeanours or indeed, they would strike the klondyke, the fabled £70,000 a year the sunday supplements exposed.

Well think again buster and take a reality check.

There aint no flipping glamour in sweating yer bits off in a cramped loft on a balmy summers day, no salvation in gashing yer hands to pieces pulling up boards, and no financial rewards for ruining beautiful knees when kneeling on joists for hours.

For this indeed is the world of the masochist, where the Special forces have yet to train their heroes in the art of resilience and mental independance.

This, my son, is a job for natures toughest.

This is a job for a Woman. 

[sjaglin]

Very neat, I would recommend you!

A few piccies from the loft and the tank?

Sorry I like to see the pipes and tanks and things, I think I must talk to someone professional, a Solar shrink?

Stef
 

[Amy]

Stef

Be proud of your fetish, for there is much art and science to be observed in the wonders of plumbing.
It is a most ancient and noble art, reproduced only by true artisans and welcomed by the most appreciative of clientelle

[billi]

Nice 80 watt (i guess)  PV Panel    is it running the solar pump ?  

Billi

[insolare]

Amy
don't worry. I know the realities and don't need to boast at dinner parties. Do I carry on doing something I hate, waiting for the diabetes to bite a bit deeper, to end up blind with no legs wondering what could have been? Or do I try to change it and be able to say I tried?
I've always worked with my hands(!) up to very recently. I'm the son of a plumber and spent many school holidays under floors and tucked in to small spaces. Money is not what it's about. I doubt if i'll make more than I do now - although if that happens it's a bonus. My sole aim is to be back in charge of my own life and to do something which puts a smile on my face. Does that sound right?
 
sjaglin
many thanks. I'll post some pics of the plumbing later. I've just got to do a bit of tidying up yet.

billi
yes it's an 80 watt panel, PR1010 charge controller, Resol 12v BS  and a Laing pump. The battery is a 7Ah jobbie rescued from a brand new APC ups going to waste. I couldn't carry the ups back home (Amsterdam) so I "borrowed" a couple of batteries. It's coping well.

The whole structure, PV and HW, is mounted low profile half height stainless steel unistrut - weighs a ton and costs a fortune. It's bolted through the roof using these....

http://www.thesolarshop.eu/acatalog/Roofing_Bolts.html

[Amy]

Only you know what you have to do thats right for you.

When faced with adversity, find your reward, and be prepared to adapt as circumstance dictates

[insolare]

Only you know what you have to do thats right for you.

When faced with adversity, find your reward, and be prepared to adapt as circumstance dictates

Exactamundo buster!

[insolare]

30 hours run time since commisioning on Friday (a rainy day). Bottom of cylinder 70c at 1530 yesterday. Very pleased so far. The check valve is rattling but it's kind of reassuring because you know it's doing something. I may change it sometime though.