EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Solar Heating
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-05-21, 10:40 PM   #1
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default Solar hot water automatic air vent

I'm trying to choose an air vent for my solar hot water system. I have 1" PEX supply and return lines. Most air vents I've seen are 1/8" NPT, and I'm wondering if that is going to be big enough while filling the system? Does anyone have any experience with these?

__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-21, 12:03 AM   #2
SDMCF
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Finland
Posts: 125
Thanks: 5
Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts
Default

I don't know about thread specs so I don't know if the threads we have are NPT or not, but 1/8" sounds small to me. My system uses 22mm copper pipe and my automatic air vent is 3/8" (unknown thread type). There is no science behind that sizing though; I installed it myself and that is just the valve size I picked up at the store. All I can say is that it works so is big enough.
SDMCF is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to SDMCF For This Useful Post:
Daox (09-06-21)
Old 09-09-21, 06:56 AM   #3
randen
Uber EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada
Posts: 657
Thanks: 9
Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts
Default Automatic air vent

Yes they do work however with some limitations.
1st the working pressure reduces the volume of air exiting the device.
2nd the addition of anti-freeze also impeads the automatic feature.

1/8 NPT is the size and they can be manually operated. They work but not as effectively as the tiny boiler vent type with a screw driver slot.

Randen
randen is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to randen For This Useful Post:
Daox (09-13-21)
Old 09-13-21, 12:15 AM   #4
SDMCF
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Finland
Posts: 125
Thanks: 5
Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by randen View Post
the addition of anti-freeze also impeads the automatic feature.
I was not aware of that. I have had no problems with mine, which have been in use for about 14 years, so maybe the style we have here is not the same as you have over there.
SDMCF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-22, 05:18 PM   #5
solarhotairpanels
Helper EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Warwick, Rhode Island
Posts: 92
Thanks: 22
Thanked 29 Times in 18 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
I'm trying to choose an air vent for my solar hot water system. I have 1" PEX supply and return lines. Most air vents I've seen are 1/8" NPT, and I'm wondering if that is going to be big enough while filling the system? Does anyone have any experience with these?
Where on your system are you planning to install the air vents?
I installed mine inside the house on top of my drainback tank on the pipe coming from the collectors..(I used a ball **** valve for that one, I just leave it cracked open) I also installed a kind of vacum release type vent on the highest point on my evacuated tube collector which allows air into the system while the pump is running so as not end up with a vacum lock when water is draining back down into my basement.

sorry but not familiar with the type of system you're building there. :-)

__________________
Pat from Warwick, RI

Please Note:
Comments and/or suggestions I make here at the forums on 'your' projects as well as my own have all been carefully and scientifically calculated by 'the seat of my pants'
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
solarhotairpanels is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design