Cheap and crude solar thermal

[adam2]

To heat a domestic sized swiming pool.

3 large secondhand central heating radiators, cost nothing
1 secondhand garden pond pump, cost nothing.
Matt black paint, £10.
Assorted hose and plumbing fittings, to hand.

Done by a neigbour, at my suggestion, after I expressed disgust at the proposal to heat the pool with a 3KW immersion heater !

The 24 volt pump is placed in the pool, and the flow from it via garden hose is divided into 3, one inlet into each radiator.
Each radiator has its own return consisting of garden hose back into the pool. The radiators are simply propped against a wall, with sandbags holding the lower edge in place.
The heat thus gained is suprising, maybe as much as 8KW.

Definatly a bit "redneck"

[Little John]

To heat a domestic sized swiming pool.

3 large secondhand central heating radiators, cost nothing
1 secondhand garden pond pump, cost nothing.
Matt black paint, £10.
Assorted hose and plumbing fittings, to hand.

Done by a neigbour, at my suggestion, after I expressed disgust at the proposal to heat the pool with a 3KW immersion heater !

The 24 volt pump is placed in the pool, and the flow from it via garden hose is divided into 3, one inlet into each radiator.
Each radiator has its own return consisting of garden hose back into the pool. The radiators are simply propped against a wall, with sandbags holding the lower edge in place.
The heat thus gained is suprising, maybe as much as 8KW.

Definatly a bit "redneck"

Like it, like it a lot...

I know of a lad who has them on his roof.

I have not seen it, but am guessing it's something like this:

[Potemkin Villager]

Hmm.

That's a very interesting way to plumb in
a solar heating panel..................

[JohnB]

Hmm.

That's a very interesting way to plumb in
a solar heating panel..................

I'm not sure I'd like to do it with old radiators that have rust, collected crap from a heating system, and been flushed with nasty chemicals. It's better with a new solar collector, whether commercial or home made. I'd use an indirect system with a coil in the hot water cylinder with old radiators.

[Little John]

Hmm.

That's a very interesting way to plumb in
a solar heating panel..................

Yeah, I would think it's in need of some kind of basic control unit based on temp difference between the solar panel and hot water cylinder.

[JohnB]

Yeah, I would think it's in need of some kind of basic control unit based on temp difference between the panel and reservoir.

It's how Solartwin works, with the PV operating the pump when there's enough sun to produce heat.
http://www.solartwin.com/product-inform ... ng-summary

[Little John]

Hmm.

That's a very interesting way to plumb in
a solar heating panel..................

I'm not sure I'd like to do it with old radiators that have rust, collected crap from a heating system, and been flushed with nasty chemicals. It's better with a new solar collector, whether commercial or home made. I'd use an indirect system with a coil in the hot water cylinder with old radiators.

Yeah, that sounds fair enough

[Little John]

Yeah, I would think it's in need of some kind of basic control unit based on temp difference between the panel and reservoir.

It's how Solartwin works, with the PV operating the pump when there's enough sun to produce heat.
http://www.solartwin.com/product-inform ... ng-summary

Cheers for that John.

One thing's for sure, solar thermal ain't rocket science. Which is why I like it.

[biffvernon]

Yes, I wouldn't like a direct system like that. Our's is an indirect cylinder and we have an electric immersion as well since there are times when the sun doesn't shine. (Remember them?)

We don't have a control other than the switch that we operate to over-ride the time-switch that turns the pump on during the day.

Our first attempt, with copper pipes, tended to break in the frost; our second with pvc pipe, broke when it got too hot. Now we have rubber hose, the sort used in motorcar cooling systems, which is just right.

[adam2]

In the case of the crude system refered to, no automatic control is used, simply turn on the pump by hand when the sun shines.

Power is from the mains via a transformer, and is not only AC but is "artificial" sort of three phase. about 60 watts I think.

[JohnB]

Now we have rubber hose, the sort used in motorcar cooling systems, which is just right.

Have you got mice? I know of someone who discovered his Solartwin system was leaking where the pipes were hidden, thanks to some tiny teeth!