Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: fryedaddy on October 16, 2013, 11:47:33 AM

Title: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: fryedaddy on October 16, 2013, 11:47:33 AM

I know this is a total different principal but I've never asked this questions specifically.

I have solar panels hooked to my stove. During the off season I gain heat for my water
through these panels to heat my water. My stove gets up to 160 degrees but on average is
around 140 or so. Does this help or hurt my stove? I would assume that I'm not burning wood
and shouldn't have a problem, just checking.

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: RSI on October 16, 2013, 12:48:44 PM

If you are not burning wood it is probably a little better for it but won't make a lot of difference.
You won't have any condensation that is possible when the water in the boiler is lower than air temperature in the off season.

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: Scott7m on October 16, 2013, 04:24:02 PM

Yep, what RSI said.  Should be good for it, dissolved oxygen content is much lower in hot water vs cold water

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: fryedaddy on October 17, 2013, 06:38:48 AM

Thank you both for the info

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: SOHIO on October 17, 2013, 07:11:45 AM

Would love to see how you have this hooked up. Pictures?

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: fryedaddy on October 17, 2013, 09:34:59 AM

I'll get some.

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: Boydz on October 17, 2013, 11:39:45 PM

Subscribed - Great idea. Id be interested to see how this is working also. :photo:

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: ijon on October 20, 2013, 05:38:29 AM

Are your panels homemade? I thought of this same concept awhile back. Tapping into something you already have.

Title: Re: Solar Panels and Stove Heat
Post by: fryedaddy on January 03, 2014, 07:30:57 AM

Sorry it's taken me sooooo long.

I had a tree blow over on my shed and took pictures of the setup.
An old pine 20" at the base blew over and the top 20' broke over the
solar panels. I was lucky, nothing was damaged.

I bought (6) panels from a co-worker and the controller for $75 each.
My dealer (neighbor) installed the panels and controller.

My stove is setup a lot different than most on this site. It included solar
hookups when I bought it. They installed a pump ran by the controller
which pumps water into the panels when a certain difference in temperature
is noticed by probes placed on the panel.

My panels ran this past season, keeping my water at 160 degrees.
Which includes running a 70 gallon bath full and all the laundry a
wife and two kids could muster.

I've noticed it pulling heat from the panels on a 35-40 degree day this winter.
My father had the same setup when I was growing up.

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