The performance for $1K Solar Water Heating System is in. This is the day by day performance plot.
The solar fraction for the month was 100%.
I'm going to continue the logging through September so that there is a full year of monthly performance plots.
Here is a road map of all the pages on the design, construction, testing, and performance for the system.
Posts
Bonfire of the Billys
18 hours ago
Gary, even though the pump only draws a slight amount, might it be worth it to consider putting in a relay so the draw on the controller is less? Seeing that you are having that problem, I will certainly put mine on a relay. I already have one to use, and a new pump to install. I just need to get it plumbed. All of the smaller pumps I have tried have been too low head for my application. The pump I have to use now is a centrifical that will pump at least 100' of head, so I shouldn't have any problem with the application.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one thing I have found, is that my pex tubing has developed slight air leaks. I think this is due to the high stagnation temperatures, on days when I didn't run the system. I have to manually start my system, till the new pump is installed.
Doug
Hi Doug,
ReplyDeleteThe controllers are supposed to have a relay or equivalent output circuit to switch a pump. My Goldline controller has been working fine on the 85 watt pump that it switches, so it seems like a 13 watt pump should not be a problem?
I plan to drop Steca an email to see if they have an explanation.
I'd like to hear how the overheating thing comes out. If it did result in a failure of the PEX, it would be nice to know what the failure looks like and where it occurred if you can easily find this.
Gary