[RE-wrenches] Laing Solar Eco Pumps vs. El Sid

[Howie Michaelson]

Hi All,

I'm looking for feedback on the Laing EcoCirc Pumps for use in closed
glycol PV driven SHW loops as well as closed loop off-grid hydronic
heating loops (24 vDC battery systems or 12 vDC stepped down).  Probably
the D5 is the pump I'd use, but I'm open to any and all feedback.

In particular, I'm looking for comparisons to El Sids.  The Laings appear
to have a stronger pump curve than the El Sids.  I've used El Sids a fair
amount for these applications and have had less than stellar results, as
the El Sids often seem to have very short life spans.  Dan F at El Sid
suggests that they blow up due to high voltages, although he claims the 24
volt battery based pumps are good to 31 vDC and I've had them break at
much lower voltages.  I've also run the B12 pumps on a converter from BZ
Products which was voltage limited (to 15 volts) - supposedly a safe
voltage for the 12 volt battery based El Sid pumps (although Dan inferred
at one point that voltage limited converters can have a higher voltage
spike at start-up.  I haven't ordered any over the last couple of years so
I don't know if anything has changed, as I got tired of replacing them.

Anyone have experience with the Laings in these circumstances? Or any
similar or perhaps hopefully experience with the El Sids?  At $2-300 a pop
for the El Sids, I'm feeling gun-shy about spec'ing them any more.

Thanks,
Howie
-- 
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™

Sun Catcher, LLC
Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar & Wind Incentive Program Partner
http://www.SunCatcherVT.com
(cell) 802-272-0004
(home) 802-439-6096