Thermal - PV and diff controller? [RE-wrenches]

[Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services]

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Kirk,

Were you using the electronic or brush version of the Hartel pump?
Did you feed it via a LCB?
Did you monitor the max input voltage during cloud effect events?

My pump has been running flawlessly for 4+ years now. I have an old LCB 
and 5 diodes in series (.8 volt drop each) in the PV to pump circuit to 
make sure the input voltage is well below the manufacturers max 
recommendation. I think LCB's are important as I have heard these 
sometimes have a hard time starting running PV direct.

I believe Tom Lane has info on how to best match the panel to pump to 
make sure the pump does not get fried, although as I said, mine has been 
fine and it is (over) powered by an ancient Arco M-55.

Todd



Kirk Herander wrote:

>We made a business decision 6 months ago not to use a PV panel and DC
>circulator unless we are installing off-grid SDHW. I have had very poor
>luck with failing Hartell and El-sid circulators, not to mention the
>snap switches. 
>
>If you are installing an incentivized system, at least in VT, you are
>required to provide a five year bumper-to-bumper warranty on the system.
>Do you really want to work for free, as I have, fixing DC driven SDHW?
>
>Last weekend I worked (for free) to change a DC system (Hartell and snap
>switches to AC (Taco 008 & Goldline GL-30 controller) because the
>Hartell and switches had burned out twice in a 1 1/2 year period. It is
>not my only example. I can think of 3 other DC circulator failures.
>
>No more for me. AC is cheaper and much more reliable. 
>
>Kirk Herander
>Vermont Solar Engineering
>802.863.1202
>fax 802.863-7908
>NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar PV Installer
>Xantrex Certified Dealer Charter Member
>NYSERDA-eligible installer
>VT Solar and Wind Partner
>  
>


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