SpringHollow
Elite Member
the vacuum tube ones we used worked great for 20 years - boiling water while it was in the 30's and raining outside. Could not have been happier.
Ken
Ken
Solar radiant Heat
- Thread starter philbuilt
- Start date
- Views: 31049
ksimolo,
I agree that the tubes do heat the water up hotter than flat panels. They both have an advantage and could compliment each other if used together. I would like to add a rack of tubes on the return of my flat panels. The flat panels would preheat in the early day and the team would deliver higher temps though out the mid and afternoon.
Today its in the high 40's ,fog, and thick clouds.
panel temp 65 bottom temp is 63, ground water 51 still a gain.
Phil
I agree that the tubes do heat the water up hotter than flat panels. They both have an advantage and could compliment each other if used together. I would like to add a rack of tubes on the return of my flat panels. The flat panels would preheat in the early day and the team would deliver higher temps though out the mid and afternoon.
Today its in the high 40's ,fog, and thick clouds.
panel temp 65 bottom temp is 63, ground water 51 still a gain.
Phil
scott_vt
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2004
- Messages
- 7,394
- Location
- east wells,vt
- Tractor
- 1986 MF 1040, 1942 Farmall A, 1949 Farmall Super A
Good Evenin Phil,
I just read through your thread this morning ! What a great thread , with a bunch of valuable info ! My hats off to you on all that copper plumbing, absolutely beautiful work ! I have sweated a few pipes when the need arises but nothing like that. I will be real curious how this whole system works out through the course of the winter ! Thanks for all the info and associated pictures.
I just read through your thread this morning ! What a great thread , with a bunch of valuable info ! My hats off to you on all that copper plumbing, absolutely beautiful work ! I have sweated a few pipes when the need arises but nothing like that. I will be real curious how this whole system works out through the course of the winter ! Thanks for all the info and associated pictures.
Hi Scott,
Thank you! My main resource for most of the product comes from Radiantec in Lyndonville, Vermont. They have the manifold all soldered together in the proper order. How ever to install I had to cut it apart and assemble to fit my space. Thanks giving weekend we will be running the floor tube. I've been extremely busy at work other wise it would be done.
Phil
Thank you! My main resource for most of the product comes from Radiantec in Lyndonville, Vermont. They have the manifold all soldered together in the proper order. How ever to install I had to cut it apart and assemble to fit my space. Thanks giving weekend we will be running the floor tube. I've been extremely busy at work other wise it would be done.
Phil
IXLR8
Veteran Member
The vacuum tube panels folks are talking about, are they running the fluid (water/glycol) through the center tubes or are they using a phase change material and running the fluid past the phase change material?
IXLR8,
I believe the double wall evacuated tubes use a long skinny piece of copper tube that is sealed on both ends. I think the tube is approximately 3/8" Dia 5 0r 6' long with the top bulbing out to3/4"x3" long. There is about a teaspoon of liquid in it and the air is evacuated out and sealed. My understanding is this liquid will turn to steam at 86 or so degrees and go to the top bulb , cool, run down and repeat. the top bulb transfers the heat to another copper piece that has the glycol in it to transfer to the tank.
I'll look for some pics to help illustrate.
Phil
I believe the double wall evacuated tubes use a long skinny piece of copper tube that is sealed on both ends. I think the tube is approximately 3/8" Dia 5 0r 6' long with the top bulbing out to3/4"x3" long. There is about a teaspoon of liquid in it and the air is evacuated out and sealed. My understanding is this liquid will turn to steam at 86 or so degrees and go to the top bulb , cool, run down and repeat. the top bulb transfers the heat to another copper piece that has the glycol in it to transfer to the tank.
I'll look for some pics to help illustrate.
Phil
IXLR8
Veteran Member
Phil,
What you are describing is the phase change type of evacuated tube solar panel. There was a time when they made evacuated tube panels where the fluid ran through the center tube. VERY expensive and for not much increase in efficiency. I have discovered a place here in Maine that makes/sells them, not too far from me. I was going to see about paying them a visit and see just what they had to offer. I already have the radiant tubing in place.. just looking for a good heat source. All I need is 90dF water to give me the heat I need.
EOS Solar - Home
Keep us posted on your progress and performance.
What you are describing is the phase change type of evacuated tube solar panel. There was a time when they made evacuated tube panels where the fluid ran through the center tube. VERY expensive and for not much increase in efficiency. I have discovered a place here in Maine that makes/sells them, not too far from me. I was going to see about paying them a visit and see just what they had to offer. I already have the radiant tubing in place.. just looking for a good heat source. All I need is 90dF water to give me the heat I need.
EOS Solar - Home
Keep us posted on your progress and performance.
IXLR8
Veteran Member
I am hearing lots of positive comments about this product but I have not found any hard data on it.
SpringHollow
Elite Member
the ones i am referring to had the water running through them. They had great parabolic reflectors behind them so they really were relatively efficient.
Ken
Ken
