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Post by lackancottage on Oct 28, 2012 6:54:51 GMT -5
We put a 20 tube, 47mm panel up (that came from Navitron) when replumbing our place, that is helping to heat a 200l twin coil tank. The other coil is fed from an old wood burning range. In practice it works pretty well, although we'll probably add another 20 tube panel next year. For a DIY plumber, installation wasn't hard at all - the trickiest bit is bleeding it. Kit wise, we used a Navitron TDC3 controller, which manages the pump, and has plenty of room for expansion. Simplicity and relatively low cost was the key - the tank was the most expensive component, but I'm glad we got one with a 'proper' solar coil, as it responds well, despite the size. We've been offered a load of flat panels that have been heating a swimming pool, which I'm considering ground mounting and running on a purely thermo syphon model to provide background heat for the truck.
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Post by cye on Oct 28, 2012 15:45:49 GMT -5
hi steve
you are very welcome to the forum. haven't checked out the bbc link yet but had a quick look at your great website/blog.
we saw a great pole lathe and homemade woodburner down at 'the quarries', the permaculture farm school run by GrowingConnections. That wasn't your pole lathe by any chance? they had also just received a large delivery of hemp and lime the last time i visited. does it just afford breathability or does it help with insulation too?
with a 200L tank you'll need 40 of those 47mm tubes as they're rated for 5L per tube. i believe the secret to easy bleeding is to fit little air trap Tee-pipes at all high spots each with a manual bleed valve at the top of the trap pipe. the commercial boys will get away with fewer bleed points as they have these big portable flushing/pressuring affairs with a built-in air removal device that they use when commissioning a new system, but it's of no use to the householder trying to bleed their own system!
what kind of truck did you use?
if you need a hand with coppicing i'm sure we could rustle up a few helpers!
best regards
cye
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