Here's a few photos to update the solar water system
tank and some detail on a nice volt/amp meter I made for the solar
electric system.
The new tank is only 80 gallons compared to the previous 150 gal. But
because of the superior design it's been providing us with more hot
water. The 6 collectors can heat the smaller tank faster. One full sun
day can increase the tank temp from 75F to 150F by 3 in the afternoon.
If the weather stays sunny I cover two of the panels.
The system tops out at about 165F. If it hits this temp by 1pm the
pump turns off even though there is still lots of sun left. I don't have
a limit function on my controller, the panels have their own natural
limit.
Another very good thing about the tank- because of it's shape, about
6 feet tall, the hottest water always rises to the top giving us the
hottest water in the tank for use because the output is right on the
top. Sometimes the input fitting on the bottom is 60F (the well water is
about 52F) and the top outlet fitting is 100F.
Since the tank has two heat exchanger coils the oil furnace can heat
things up if needed. If I run the solar circulator and the other pump to
the furnace at the same time the heat will transfer from the panels to
the tank to the furnace then into the in-floor heating. So besides
giving domestic water it also will heat the basement floor.
As for the digital panel meters:
I was getting tired of running down the basement to check my old analog
panel meters so I built these meters in one case and put them in my
living room on the wall. They were purchased from Ebay for $12 each.
They show current from the panels to charge the batteries, the battery
voltage, and the current coming out of the batteries powering various
loads in the house. It took a lot of work but works and looks great.
Paul.
