These are additional photos of Matt's
system build and installation.
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Getting ready to cut fins to size.
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Cutting the aluminum fins from sheet stock.
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The hardwood rollers to form the grooves in the aluminum fins.
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The bicycle powered groove forming machine!
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The bicycle powered groove forming machine in action.
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The groove forming machine in action.
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Cutting the copper riser tubes to length.
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Cutting the copper riser tubes to length.
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The copper pipe grid ready to solder
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Shows how the fins develops a slight curve along its length as the groove is formed.
This curve in the fin makes the fin fit the copper tube more tightly when each end of the fin is clamped to the copper tube. |
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Shows the method used to secure the aluminum fins to the copper pipes.
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Shows the method used to secure the aluminum fins to the copper pipes.
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Installing the aluminum fins ont he copper riser tubes.
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Backside of the collector shing the frame screwed to the OSB back.
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Ripping a steel stud in half to make the glass hold downs.
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Galvanized collector frame corner joint.
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Collector frame with absorber grid installed.
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Collectors ready for painting.
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Clamping to hold glazing in place on the frame until the silicone sets up.
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Glazing siliconed in place
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Clamping the glazing in place using silicone to bond glazing to frame.
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First step in forming the heat exchanger coils
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Using a large pipe to form the heat exchanger coils around.
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Manifold for the 6 coil copper tube heat exchanger.
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The 6 parallel heat exchange coils installed in the tank -- at snug fit!
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The 6 copper coils that make up the heat exchanger. Each one is 3/8 inch diameter.
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Soldering the collector roof connections
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Plumbing connections to tank
I started with a 1 1/4 tee and reduced down to a 1" dielectric fitting. I cut the end off of the copper bushing of the dielectric to allow the copper pipe to slide all of the way through. The other leg of the tee is the solar panel water going straight to the tank. |
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Storage tank insulation
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The three collectors mounted on the roof.
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Trees to south of house.
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