Trying to find super cheap way to collect solar

[Yucca]

I have built a 12kw heating spiral from black irrigation pipe, it is unglazed but to glaze it would be pointless because the plastic and fittings don´t like high temp. This design is best for high flow with modest temp rise, like 10c rise:



Steve Duffrense compiled a page about it on his Rimstar site:

http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/splyucca.htm


I mention how to make a good water heater capable of 60c at the bottom of that page. Just need to get hold of leakfree mat black car or truck radiators from scrapyard and build a glass fronted box over them. I read about this elsewhere online.

Yucca

[TechStuf]

@Yucca,

I'd be interested to see the efficiency increase in duplicating your setup with high temp stove paint on copper tubing.

Check out the MTD solar heating method link above, it is quite efficient and cheap. 

Or buy a few evacuated solar tubes on Ebay.  They are insanely efficient and reasonably priced!

TS

[Yucca]

@Yucca,

I'd be interested to see the efficiency increase in duplicating your setup with high temp stove paint on copper tubing.

Check out the MTD solar heating method link above, it is quite efficient and cheap. 

Or buy a few evacuated solar tubes on Ebay.  They are insanely efficient and reasonably priced!

TS

Hi TechStuff,


Yes that would be much more efficient especially if glazed plus you could run mains pressure. Only downside is that copper pipe is quite expensive.

I will check out those links.

Yucca.

[TechStuf]

Copper just dropped considerably so get it while the gettin's good.


Oops, too late.


lol.

Side note: Some of the most ingenious and cost effective solar setups I've ever seen are contained in the Backwoods Home anthologies.  Great magazine.


TS

[triffid]

Could Thompston's water seal be used to water proof corrugated cardboard?Make sure it flows through the holes in the cardboard?
The same stuff you waterproof your deck with?Sorry I can't seem to spell it right.I know this thread was for solar heated water but I did point out my tip was for solar heated air.Also black plastic garbage bags could hold some water.i.e. be used in a hotwater system.aluminum paint could be used to reflect light.Triffid