EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Outcome of my Pex Solar Water Collector project

TheyCallMeDave · 07-24-11, 09:48 AM

Finally got it done and Im happy with the results .

The project consisted of building a Solar Box/Oven for 300' of 3/4" Pex-B Tubing to sit inside of and was built using 2x12's with a finished size of 36"x36" . 1/2" plywood was used for the backing with 1" Polyiso Board sitting on top of that with a thick piece of sheetmetal plate on top of that --- everything inside the Box was painted a flat black including the aborber plate, inner / outer box walls , and Krylon Fusion Paint for the Pex Coil . The top of the Box recieved a double pane Low E window in vinyl sash .

Filled the Pex Coil with cool 55 f. Well Water on a 90 F. mostly sunny day and waited 5 hours to take temp. readings :

Temp. inside Box : 161 f.
Exiting water Temp : 158 f.

(The Pex Coil holds about 6 gallons, but since i live alone ... it is more than enough hot water for my limited water useage for showers and occasional Dishwasher ; in fact, I have to cool it down alot with cold water at the Shower Head so Im using less than the 6 gallons of Collector Water. I have the Collector Water bypassing the Water Heater and going directly into the hot water line to the house . The Pex I used has a rating of 200 f. at 100 psi and the CPVC leading from the Collector Box to the house is rated at 180 f. at 100 psi. Total material cost : $350. ) .

07-24-11, 09:48 AM	#1
TheyCallMeDave Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Far northern FLorida Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Outcome of my Pex Solar Water Collector project Finally got it done and Im happy with the results . The project consisted of building a Solar Box/Oven for 300' of 3/4" Pex-B Tubing to sit inside of and was built using 2x12's with a finished size of 36"x36" . 1/2" plywood was used for the backing with 1" Polyiso Board sitting on top of that with a thick piece of sheetmetal plate on top of that --- everything inside the Box was painted a flat black including the aborber plate, inner / outer box walls , and Krylon Fusion Paint for the Pex Coil . The top of the Box recieved a double pane Low E window in vinyl sash . Filled the Pex Coil with cool 55 f. Well Water on a 90 F. mostly sunny day and waited 5 hours to take temp. readings : Temp. inside Box : 161 f. Exiting water Temp : 158 f. (The Pex Coil holds about 6 gallons, but since i live alone ... it is more than enough hot water for my limited water useage for showers and occasional Dishwasher ; in fact, I have to cool it down alot with cold water at the Shower Head so Im using less than the 6 gallons of Collector Water. I have the Collector Water bypassing the Water Heater and going directly into the hot water line to the house . The Pex I used has a rating of 200 f. at 100 psi and the CPVC leading from the Collector Box to the house is rated at 180 f. at 100 psi. Total material cost : $350. ) .