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[fryedaddy]

Roger,

For simplicity look into evacuated panels or tubing, glycol wont be needed then.

When the panels warm up the pump kicks on and pumps water through them.
At the very top of the panels a vaccume breaker/pop off valve (not sure what to call it).
opens up and drains the liquid from the panels. You don't have to worry about freezing.

[Scott7m]

For what it costs for these solar collectors youd be better off buying actual solar panels and running your hot water Heater on electric. 

[Steinacher Sales]

frydedaddy,

Your attachment from your July posting has been deleted by Admin. for space issues it said.

I have a solar panel that I have had for about a month now. I like it so well I have taken on a dealership of these evacuated solar water heaters. Below is a link to my facebook page to see my setup. I am still learning myself.

I am going to offer 2 sizes of panels, a 36 tube with 110 gal tank on top and a 60 tube without a tank. Some folks already have the reserve and don't need the tank.

The 36 tube is supposed to be approx. 60,000 btu and the 60 tube approx. 100,000 btu.

I have a record of some of my results and will post if you want me to.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Outdoor-Furnace/145438465637490

Greg Steinacher
618-401-0726

[fryedaddy]

Scott,

If you already have the stove and can mount these on your roof, they should be cheaper than solar electric.

Brand new 4'x10' panels (new technology, can use less panels than older) cost around $1,300 each and will give you unlimited
hot water. It will give you the same benefit as DHW during the winter.

I've never researched the solar electric cost but I thought the panels were more costly than hydronic panels.

Let me know I'm interested in solar as well and hope to power my stove and pump off of it one day.

[Sprinter]

I have some pretty expensive hobbies and toys , yet the only thing that actually paid anything back even close to break even was winning at the pro level of snowmobile drag racing. But heck I don't get into my hobbies to make money either.
Now I do consider burning wood as a hobby in some aspects as well. Take pride in my wood gathering equipment, how neat you CSS and keep the boiler area. Being on here learning and helping others. I'm thinking for just the cost of a razor and mountain sleds I could have the absolute best Geo, solar , wood system.   I guess sometimes not paying utility bills is the best reward.

[NaturallyAspirated]

I have some pretty expensive hobbies and toys , yet the only thing that actually paid anything back even close to break even was winning at the pro level of snowmobile drag racing. But heck I don't get into my hobbies to make money either.
Now I do consider burning wood as a hobby in some aspects as well. Take pride in my wood gathering equipment, how neat you CSS and keep the boiler area. Being on here learning and helping others. I'm thinking for just the cost of a razor and mountain sleds I could have the absolute best Geo, solar , wood system.   I guess sometimes not paying utility bills is the best reward.

I used to work on a pit crew back in high school.  The owner won World Series one year, riding a 440 (500 stock I believe).  Musta been 98 or 99... can't remember back that far haha.

 

Neal

[Roger2561]

I have some pretty expensive hobbies and toys , yet the only thing that actually paid anything back even close to break even was winning at the pro level of snowmobile drag racing. But heck I don't get into my hobbies to make money either.
Now I do consider burning wood as a hobby in some aspects as well. Take pride in my wood gathering equipment, how neat you CSS and keep the boiler area. Being on here learning and helping others. I'm thinking for just the cost of a razor and mountain sleds I could have the absolute best Geo, solar , wood system.   I guess sometimes not paying utility bills is the best reward.

Sprinter,  Ultimately my goal is to be as grid free as possible but money, rather, the lack thereof, is an issue.  I have to do these system upgrades as money becomes available.  Roger 

[Sprinter]

I hear you, and some say money can't buy you happiness.  I was trying to make the comparison, that a quick ROI isn't the only justification to invest.

[12valve]

Roger,

Do you think it would work to build your own solar collector, (lots of examples online) and tie it into your water jacket.  It is something I have thought about.

A tour of Meadowview Biological Research Station - Wood furnace and Water Heater

That seems to be what this guy is doing.

[12valve]

Super Simple, CPVC Solar Hot Water Collector

something like this.

[fryedaddy]

Greg,

I like the newer designs of the tube collector, wish I could afford it!!

[Steinacher Sales]

fryedaddy,

They look  nicer than some and work well!

Greg Steinacher
618-401-0726

[mlappin]

frydedaddy,

Your attachment from your July posting has been deleted by Admin. for space issues it said.

I have a solar panel that I have had for about a month now. I like it so well I have taken on a dealership of these evacuated solar water heaters. Below is a link to my facebook page to see my setup. I am still learning myself.

I am going to offer 2 sizes of panels, a 36 tube with 110 gal tank on top and a 60 tube without a tank. Some folks already have the reserve and don't need the tank.

The 36 tube is supposed to be approx. 60,000 btu and the 60 tube approx. 100,000 btu.

I have a record of some of my results and will post if you want me to.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Outdoor-Furnace/145438465637490

Greg Steinacher
618-401-0726

Just how do those work in the winter? Or just drain and wait till spring when the suns really out? A guy 4 or 5 miles down the road put up two arrays of self standing solar panels, eyesore comes to mind first, secondly most of the winter they were covered in snow.

If I was to do the solar panel thing or solar collector I have a few buildings with southern facing roofs, they'd go there, wouldn't have em on the house, very little southern exposure on the roof anyways, secondly new roof, and any kind of mount is a leak waiting to happen. With the OWB, forced vent furnace and water heater, we removed the chimney as have no need for it when we re-roofed as it was just another potential leak sometime in the future.

[farmboythegreat]

I've heard that if a house is on fire with solar pannels on the roof , the fire dudes won't go on the roof

[12valve]

So Greg,

Tell us about what you got there.  How does it work and what would it set a guy back?