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Old 01-22-10, 11:02 PM   #15
Christ
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryGary View Post
Hi Mike,
I think that in your climate, you would need glazing over the tubes to get worthwhile heat out of it in the winter.

Collectors normally have fins on the pipes so that the sun that falls between the pipes gets transferred over to the pipes by the fins -- otherwise, you don't get much benefit from the sun that falls between the pipes.

Once you glaze the collector, the ABS is not likely to stand up to the temperatures inside the collector. It might be OK when fluid is being circulated, but if the fluid circulation stops for any reason and the collector stagnates, the temperatures inside the collector will go very high -- to high for ABS.

Half inch copper tubing is probably the best choice. Here is one way to do the tubes, fins, and manifold:
Experimental Solar Collector Using Hybrid Copper/Aluminum Construction

I think the storage in the pit would be OK if you insulate the walls and floor of the pit. That is, you want the stored heat to go into the shop and not be lost down into the earth.

Not trying to discourage you -- its a very workable idea with the right materials and construction.

Gary
Simple marine plywood painted black? (As opposed to ABS).

I was trying to think of a way to use some tempered glass I have acquired... I'm considering making a few small thermo siphon air-exchange heaters to show my Father how they work... Build a box over top of a box with a duct inside, then put the glass over the top box, and lay it at an angle. As the air in the top box heats up, it draws in cooler air through the bottom box, and creates a small solar oven effect.
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