Get your very own FREE do-it-yourself solar water heater guide here: http://smart-think-marketing.com/blog/diy-solar/
Home made solar hot water heater. It’s been working in Grass Valley, CA. near Auburn CA, about an hour out side Sacramento, Ca for the last 30 years. Simple and cheap to build. On grid or off grid. You can also find us at http://www.easyasabt.com
Duration : 0:1:55
[youtube QTO4aQZ9LI8]
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#1 by BigGreenZero at July 18th, 2010
You can build one …
You can build one of these with a small tank attached to the top of it similar to the solarhart model. The tank always has to be somewhat above the system. This makes it hard for roofmounts in residential areas. However using a heat exhange tank or loop with a small circulation pump(solar) you can get much better results. Avoid glycol and use corn based glycol. Also heat exchange using vegtable oil would also add efficiency.
#2 by BigGreenZero at July 18th, 2010
@canarsiemarsie You …
@canarsiemarsie You need to use evacuated tubes to be reliable in a cold climate. Most do it yourself flat plate collectors won’t help much. Plus in order to heat your whole house you need volume of storage.
#3 by shoges at July 18th, 2010
Awesome! Thanks …
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.
#4 by FishyMoe at July 18th, 2010
I might try this. …
I might try this. Is it effective? Compared to the pre made ones? the pre made ones are like $3000 Jesus.
#5 by naturalbonsai at July 18th, 2010
hey brother. great …
hey brother. great vid. thanks a lot for sharing this. very valuable info. good work and good commitment … keep ‘er up!
#6 by SpeedMetal4635 at July 18th, 2010
Hello, I already …
Hello, I already downloaded the plans and I will make this system, I will use another materials and I will use two windows glass in the body. This is not new, but the important is how do you are connecting the solar heater to the boyler. This is a great idea very usefull, cheap and simple. Thanks a lot
#7 by kjviolin2 at July 18th, 2010
There’s a coupon …
There’s a coupon for $50 off any EcoSmart tankless heater on
acehotline(dot)com
It’s their “end of the month sale”
The coupon code is: 15952
Just though I would pass the word around
#8 by canarsiemarsie at July 18th, 2010
I have a home on …
I have a home on the east coast. gets very cold. dreary weather. I am remodel the house. Furnance is obsolete. Is solar heating workable and reliable, in a cold climate?
#9 by steveincovina at July 18th, 2010
Andrew, Thank You …
Andrew, Thank You for this video.
I have viewed it a few times over the past year and find it intriguing.
As you have stated it’s not the best possible set-up but one that is basic and easy for us lay folks to understand. If only half the population had something similar to this imagine the fuel savings for our country.
My son and I are building a similar set-up in the hopes of cutting our gas bill and learning a little more about solar water heating.
Thanks again, Steve
#10 by ABTPlumbing at July 18th, 2010
Yes there are …
Yes there are better ways to make a solar collector. But remember this is a DIY project built in someones garage, not in a factory and not by an engineer. Like all things in life you make compromises, in this case he used material readily, and cheaply available. He used the skill set he had to build it. Download the plans, take a look at them. Build one and let me know what your experience is with it, or hey modify the plans and make it better. Theyre FREE, what do you have to lose?
#11 by Stepanfo1 at July 18th, 2010
Ups, now I actually …
Ups, now I actually heard what you are saying in the video – it is not your panel – so the remarks are not adressed to you but to the owner of the collector. Or to someone who yould like to make similar collector. It really is not good collector.
#12 by Stepanfo1 at July 18th, 2010
Fourths – the …
Fourths – the distribution od pipes density on sheet must be uniform. If pipes were arranged the way they are now, you would have stripes with high and low density. I am not sure how can you handle critique, but you collector it the worst collector I have ever seen.
#13 by Stepanfo1 at July 18th, 2010
Sorry your …
Sorry your collector is of very poor construction. First you need to use flat sheet under pipes and then CONNECT SHEET WITH PIPES (weld or solder), SO THAT HEAT FROM SHEET CAN GET IN TUBES! Second – you need to place sheet of glass on it so that the air convection cooling is obstructed. Third -you need to place insulation (rockwool?) under the sheet .
#14 by kitfoxflyer at July 18th, 2010
I do the same with …
I do the same with wood furnace — hope to get a solar panel going soon as well — great video. M video is up on my free hot water
#15 by datzfast at July 18th, 2010
water. compressible …
water. compressible, bullshit. hydro is latin for water.
#16 by TheSporesguy at July 18th, 2010
Well, I have to say …
Well, I have to say that you should know what the you’re talking about before you attempt to on anyone else. Water is a HIGHLY compressible liquid. Hydraulic fluid is not. Pipes burst because water expands as it turns to ice asshole.
#17 by datzfast at July 18th, 2010
jesus thats not why …
jesus thats not why a water pipe burst either. as water freezes it expands and because water connot be compressed the water pressure breaks the pipe. and yes it is a wives tale about hot water freezing quicker than cold water. just put some in the freeze with cold water and you will find out you are no man, just a wife.LOL dumbass.
#18 by HvensFury at July 18th, 2010
Sorry friend, we …
Sorry friend, we know that wives tale is no tale! Here at 6000 feet above sea level when it gets to freezing it is the hot water pipe that freeze and burst first. The reason for that is the molecules in hot water are spread further apart than cold and so the actually cool and freeze quicker. It doesnt sound possible but everyone here knows it , because it is part of the ‘plumming experience’ here in the winter.
#19 by datzfast at July 18th, 2010
hot water doent …
hot water doent freeze faster its a wives tale.
#20 by HvensFury at July 18th, 2010
I suspect they were …
I suspect they were draining this for the winter. Or was the sun hot enough to keep the pipes from freezing if it was being used since hot water freezes faster than cold? Or did they put anti freeze in it durning the winter? thanks@
#21 by HvensFury at July 18th, 2010
A great big thanks! …
A great big thanks! I’m headed to the website to see the set up! Awesome
#22 by ABTPlumbing at July 18th, 2010
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the reply.
#23 by Revolutionisnow1 at July 18th, 2010
I love it, basic …
I love it, basic and simple but it works!
#24 by CTOL1 at July 18th, 2010
I have a bit of a …
I have a bit of a change of plans, not sure if this is going to work but I am committed. New car radiator as a heat absorber indoors in a closed loop to the tank heat exchanger (freeze proof) and low static pressure.
Solar Hot AIR unit outside, fan draws air from back side of radiator (cooler) returns to Panel outside.
Water heater IS in Basement.
I didn’t want a pump, thermodisc T stat limits fan to both low on temp and high off temp
Pumps can leak fans move light air.
Thanks again Andrew
#25 by prayfortruejustice at July 18th, 2010
@ABTPlumbing
What …
@ABTPlumbing
What is the purpose of the slope? Is it for drainage or air in the line? What if that collector was on the roof and there were vertical supply *prob with a pump) and return lines?