Thmax: Solamax vs Mazdon [RE-wrenches]

[Kelly Keilwitz]

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Hi Mark
>
> I don't have much experience with the tubes, having installed only one
> system, but the Thermomax I installed does not require shut down if there
is
> a problem with a tube.  In fact, the system is installed, charged and
runnng
> BEFORE the tubes are carried to the roof and installed on the manifold.
> Apparently this is not the case with other makes?

Thermomax makes both the Mazdon and the Solamax brand of tube collectors.

The Mazdon tubes are closed heat-pipes, transferring heat to the manifold by
an internal convection process. Fluid (alcohol I believe) in the central
core of the heat pipe under pressure vaporizes when heated, rises, transfers
heat, cools, drains back down, repeat. The condenser/heat exchange nipple at
the tip of each tube also has a thermostatic valve that shuts off heat
transfer at very high temperatures, preventing extreme stagnation temps.
This whole gizmo is what makes these tubes so expensive.

The Solamax tubes look the same but are directly connected (plumbed) to the
manifold for direct flow. The central core tube has a divider. The inlet
fluid enters the backside of the tube and exits the front half. The tubes in
each manifold are in parallel. There is more fluid and friction head in
these tubes requiring a bigger system expansion tank and (for large systems)
a larger pump. And, there's no protection against high temperature fluid -
that has to be built into the control system, if necessary.

-Kelly

Kelly Keilwitz, P.E.
Whidbey Sun & Wind
Renewable Energy Systems
986 Wanamaker Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239
ph & fax: 360-678-7131
sunwind at whidbeysunwind.com
www.whidbeysunwind.com
Renewable Energy Now!

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