Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

Camille

Mar 18, 2004, 1:13 PM

Post #1 of 8 (5264 views)

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Solar Batch Heater

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I want to add a solar batch water heater to my house on the west coast... has anyone built such a system ? Would you be so kind as to describe it to me? I can live with hot water in the daytime only, just want to keep it simple!

Thanks!

Camille

jolane

Mar 25, 2004, 1:33 PM

Post #2 of 8 (5234 views)

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Re: [Camille] Solar Batch Heater

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Hi,

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I found it doing a search on Google.

http://www.permapak.net/...batchwaterheater.htm

mkdutch

Mar 28, 2004, 7:46 AM

Post #3 of 8 (5206 views)

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Re: [jolane] Solar Batch Heater

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Jolane gave you great advice, Camille...if her lead doesn't work out, continue to use Google for you info search - it's the best search engine out there. You might also check out the US government publication site (use Google to get there). They often have instruction booklets available at nominal cost for projects like this.

Karin

Mar 28, 2004, 4:12 PM

Post #4 of 8 (5189 views)

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Re: [Camille] Solar Batch Heater

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We have a solar heater on the roof. The cold water from the tinaco is heated in two solar panels (3 m x 0,9 m, each) and stored in a 300 liter insulated tank. We have warm water day and night, sufficient for two persons.

The system costs 18,500 Pesos one year ago. Price includes material and installation.
It works without pump, just uses gravity

(This post was edited by Karin on Mar 28, 2004, 4:20 PM)

Uncle Jack

Mar 29, 2004, 5:41 AM

Post #5 of 8 (5169 views)

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just uses gravity ??????

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How do you get the water up to the panels on the roof? Is your water source above the house?

uj

esperanza

Mar 29, 2004, 5:49 AM

Post #6 of 8 (5169 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] just uses gravity ??????

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UJ, my water supply is like Karin's in that my tinaco is on the roof. The city water comes from the street in the normal toma and chugs its way up to the tinaco without benefit of additional pump or pressure. Then it flows down into the house by gravity.

I have no aljibe, no pump, no pressure system, no nothing. Just SIMAPA and gravity.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

TomG

Mar 29, 2004, 8:18 AM

Post #7 of 8 (5158 views)

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Re: [esperanza] just uses gravity ??????

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No pump? Pretty peppy city delivery system.

It is amazing that the sun shines all over Mexico and the government hasn't scratched its head and thought about it....except to toast gringos on the beaches. There are so many young university students who would just love to be at the forefront of something. Wasting that idealism is a real sorry situation.

Karin

Mar 29, 2004, 7:42 PM

Post #8 of 8 (5139 views)

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Re: [esperanza] just uses gravity ??????

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For the proper functioning of the solar system water has to circulate through the solar panels and back to the storage tank while the water absorbs energy.

This circulation can be achieved by using an electric pump, consuming electrical energy.

However, by properly arranging the tank and the panels, the pump can be avoided and electric energy can be saved. Mother earth helps with gravity: Warm water rises to the top in a tank of cold water. This can also called thermal circulation.