Comments on: DIY Solar Water Heater, Grass Valley, Ca near Auburn, Ca,

By: ABTPlumbing

ABTPlumbing — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:42:06 +0000

@Baraquiel62. You could put it up on the roof but you would also need to then put a tank on the roof. Unless you pump the water up the collector on the roof. This installation was ment to be as simple as possible, no electricity, no pumps, no added roof structure, etc.

By: CTOL1

CTOL1 — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:54:14 +0000

Andrew I have placed your video as THE featured video on my channel !
It has been there for some time because this is very VERY cool information.
I obtained a flood damaged gas heater (1 year old) that I have since removed the gas control and burner that yield another 3/4″ NPT opening. I will be attempting to install some soft copper coil as a heat exchanger so I can run glycol. The Panel will be made up of soldered copper pipes behind a dual pane patio door.
This rocks big time, BEST video yet

By: Baraquiel62

Baraquiel62 — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:49:53 +0000

no needs for a pump while you get the down pressure, is like sucking gasss from a car with a hose. “gravity”, you should try it I have this techniq in my own house.

By: checotahbill

checotahbill — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:38:40 +0000

cold water looks to me makes a 3-4 foot drop not 1/4 per foot. i guess i don’t get it.

isn’t the hot water more than a quarter grade. I don’t understand. is 1/4 important

By: ABTPlumbing

ABTPlumbing — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:15:39 +0000

A 1/4″ per linear foot grade is a plumbers rule off thumb. Basically it needs grade or fall, and a 1/4″ per ft. is what we use. Also it’s marked on most plumbing levels so it’s easy to figure.

By: ABTPlumbing

ABTPlumbing — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:42:44 +0000

CTOL1, Thank you for the positive comment, it means alot to me. I’m glad it helpful to you. BTW if your going to build a immersed heat exchanger, make sure your water is at a higher presure than you glycol so if it leaks the water will leak into the glycol and not the other way around.

By: prayfortruejustice

prayfortruejustice — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:15:46 +0000

@ABTPlumbing
What is the purpose of the slope? Is it for drainage or air in the line? What if that collector was on the roof and there were vertical supply *prob with a pump) and return lines?

By: CTOL1

CTOL1 — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:03:13 +0000

I have a bit of a change of plans, not sure if this is going to work but I am committed. New car radiator as a heat absorber indoors in a closed loop to the tank heat exchanger (freeze proof) and low static pressure.
Solar Hot AIR unit outside, fan draws air from back side of radiator (cooler) returns to Panel outside.
Water heater IS in Basement.
I didn’t want a pump, thermodisc T stat limits fan to both low on temp and high off temp
Pumps can leak fans move light air.
Thanks again Andrew

By: Revolutionisnow1

Revolutionisnow1 — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:15:27 +0000

I love it, basic and simple but it works!

By: ABTPlumbing

ABTPlumbing — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:12:54 +0000

Thanks for the reply.

By: HvensFury

HvensFury — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:16:24 +0000

A great big thanks! I’m headed to the website to see the set up! Awesome

By: HvensFury

HvensFury — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:13:33 +0000

I suspect they were draining this for the winter. Or was the sun hot enough to keep the pipes from freezing if it was being used since hot water freezes faster than cold? Or did they put anti freeze in it durning the winter? thanks@

By: datzfast

datzfast — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:13:22 +0000

hot water doent freeze faster its a wives tale.

By: HvensFury

HvensFury — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:19:43 +0000

Sorry friend, we know that wives tale is no tale! Here at 6000 feet above sea level when it gets to freezing it is the hot water pipe that freeze and burst first. The reason for that is the molecules in hot water are spread further apart than cold and so the actually cool and freeze quicker. It doesnt sound possible but everyone here knows it , because it is part of the ‘plumming experience’ here in the winter.

By: datzfast

datzfast — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:16:05 +0000

jesus thats not why a water pipe burst either. as water freezes it expands and because water connot be compressed the water pressure breaks the pipe. and yes it is a wives tale about hot water freezing quicker than cold water. just put some in the freeze with cold water and you will find out you are no man, just a wife.LOL dumbass.

By: TheSporesguy

TheSporesguy — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:21:23 +0000

Well, I have to say that you should know what the fuck you’re talking about before you attempt to shit on anyone else. Water is a HIGHLY compressible liquid. Hydraulic fluid is not. Pipes burst because water expands as it turns to ice asshole.

By: datzfast

datzfast — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:33:41 +0000

water. compressible, bullshit. hydro is latin for water.

By: kitfoxflyer

kitfoxflyer — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:23:08 +0000

I do the same with wood furnace — hope to get a solar panel going soon as well — great video. M video is up on my free hot water

By: Stepanfo1

Stepanfo1 — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:33:05 +0000

Sorry your collector is of very poor construction. First you need to use flat sheet under pipes and then CONNECT SHEET WITH PIPES (weld or solder), SO THAT HEAT FROM SHEET CAN GET IN TUBES! Second – you need to place sheet of glass on it so that the air convection cooling is obstructed. Third -you need to place insulation (rockwool?) under the sheet .

By: Stepanfo1

Stepanfo1 — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:03:49 +0000

Fourths – the distribution od pipes density on sheet must be uniform. If pipes were arranged the way they are now, you would have stripes with high and low density. I am not sure how can you handle critique, but you collector it the worst collector I have ever seen.

By: Stepanfo1

Stepanfo1 — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:34:25 +0000

Ups, now I actually heard what you are saying in the video – it is not your panel – so the remarks are not adressed to you but to the owner of the collector. Or to someone who yould like to make similar collector. It really is not good collector.

By: ABTPlumbing

ABTPlumbing — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:47:27 +0000

Yes there are better ways to make a solar collector. But remember this is a DIY project built in someones garage, not in a factory and not by an engineer. Like all things in life you make compromises, in this case he used material readily, and cheaply available. He used the skill set he had to build it. Download the plans, take a look at them. Build one and let me know what your experience is with it, or hey modify the plans and make it better. Theyre FREE, what do you have to lose?

By: steveincovina

steveincovina — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:01:48 +0000

Andrew, Thank You for this video.
I have viewed it a few times over the past year and find it intriguing.
As you have stated it’s not the best possible set-up but one that is basic and easy for us lay folks to understand. If only half the population had something similar to this imagine the fuel savings for our country.
My son and I are building a similar set-up in the hopes of cutting our gas bill and learning a little more about solar water heating.
Thanks again, Steve

By: canarsiemarsie

canarsiemarsie — Fri, 21 May 2010 04:18:10 +0000

I have a home on the east coast. gets very cold. dreary weather. I am remodel the house. Furnance is obsolete. Is solar heating workable and reliable, in a cold climate?

By: kjviolin2

kjviolin2 — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:40:53 +0000

There’s a coupon for $50 off any EcoSmart tankless heater on
acehotline(dot)com
It’s their “end of the month sale”
The coupon code is: 15952
Just though I would pass the word around