thermomax vs flat plates [RE-wrenches]

[Brad Bassett]

Hi Jay,

Most installers and testing agencies of SDHW collectors in the NW had 
concluded years ago that in our climate (W.Wash, which is still a little 
cooler than yours), that black chrome or some selective surface was well 
worth the money in added performance. This is especially true if you are 
using an open loop system, as it goes a long way toward reducing 
freezing damage in otherwise unprotected or poorly protected collectors. 
I have never frozen my collector in 20 years of use with an open loop, 
and am pretty sure I would have a few times with a painted absorber. (It 
might freeze tonight, do I leave the party early to get home to drain 
the collector?)

Solar Engineering Services (early Applied Power) installed some 
progressive tube collectors at Tern Island in the middle of the Pacific 
in 1987 and they are still going strong. I think they would not be as 
good in a cooler climate unless you can use the water in the evening.

Another tip, if using two tanks in a system, is to keep the distance 
between them at a minumum so that when a small amount of hot water is 
drawn in the house, some solar heated water actually gets to the backup 
tank. This is hard to do with a integral tank system. Again, from the 
point of view where we need the backup tank often and never bypass it.

It looks like the Heliodyne GOBI collectors are top quality, anyone with 
experience?

Brad Bassett


Jay Peltz, Peltz Power wrote:
> Hi Tom,
> 
> Thanks for the info.
> 
> I take it that you are not  big in favor of the tubes.  So let me ask 
> you this.
> 
> I'm in Northern california, near the coast ( 15 miles)  Winter-- lots of
> overcast and rain, temps in the 40's-50's as low.  Summer mostly clear, 
> with
> temps from 85-105.
> 
> 1.Which flat plat collectors do your recommend.?
> 2. Do you recommend chrome or black paint
> 3. What about the progressive tube?
> 4. What have I forgot to include here?
> 
> Thanks for all your input,
> 
> jay
> peltz power
> 
> 
> 



Brad Bassett
Schott Applied Power 
Tumwater, WA office
bsbassett at earthlink.net

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