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testing pool solar panels Steve 06-04-2007
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Posted by Steve on June 4, 2007, 8:38 pm
I bought two solar panels last year. each is 2' x 20' black tubing. Incoming
water flows 20' down the 1st 25 tubes and returns in the 2nd 25 tubes then
it goes into the 2nd panel and does the same thing. I installed it last
summer as directed. divert some filtered water just before it returns to the
pool and send it through the heater. this heated water returned and mixed
with the water directly from the filter. It was hard to tell what the heater
was doing. This spring I set up the panels on a platform in a good location,
full sun from 10:00am to 4:00pm. I have a 2nd small old pool pump that I can
use independent of the pool filter,.

Just for the hell of it I want to try and maximize the amount of heat I can
get out of these panels...

One question is the fact that the panels are about 50' from the pool (12' X
24' AG oval with a deep end }.

What if any impact would using a garden hose instead of 1.5" pool hose for
the 50' connection cause?
I'm using the garden hose now to save $$$.

I have valves to control the flow of water through the panels.

Another issue, In the solar panel, there is a " blockage " that diverts some
of the water down the 1st 25 tubes to the end where there is no blockage.
the water then flows freely to the 2nd 25 tubes, 20' down and out to the
next panel. Some water is allowed to flow around the blockage and bypass the
panels altogether. would using a small hose or reducing the water to a
trickel allow to much water to bypass the whole panel by just flowing
through the diverter? At a low level, the water wouldnt be forced through
the 20' tubes. It would just flow through the blockage. ( when I look down
this 1st end of the tube I can see a star shaped plastic that would block
some water flow directly. If I stuck a pocker chip in the tube it would
fully block this bypass and all water would flow through the full length of
the panels...

I'm sure I could blow the panel apart this way by building to much pressure
in the panels...
But if I kept the flow down I would be heating all of the water...

Everything is set up now and as soon as it stops raining I'm going to try it
out.

Any suggestions would be helpfull???

TIA


Steve



Posted by on June 5, 2007, 8:07 am

>I bought two solar panels last year. each is 2' x 20' black tubing...

You might collect 2x2x20x250 = 20K Btu/h max in 250 Btu/h-ft^2 full sun.

>What if any impact would using a garden hose instead of 1.5" pool hose for
>the 50' connection cause?

Not much. If 5 gpm flows through the garden hose, it might be heated
20K/(5x8x60) = 8 F, without much heat loss to the outdoors.

>In the solar panel, there is a " blockage " that diverts some of
>the water down the 1st 25 tubes to the end where there is no blockage.

That may be there to help make water flow more uniform, so there are no
hot spots with still water inside...

Nick


Posted by Steve on June 6, 2007, 9:45 pm

>I bought two solar panels last year. each is 2' x 20' black tubing...

You might collect 2x2x20x250 = 20K Btu/h max in 250 Btu/h-ft^2 full sun.

>What if any impact would using a garden hose instead of 1.5" pool hose for
>the 50' connection cause?

>>Not much. If 5 gpm flows through the garden hose, it might be heated
>>20K/(5x8x60) = 8 F, without much heat loss to the outdoors.




Thanks Nick,

June 6th and the waters 65 degrees...

I havent seen anywhere near 8 F rise in temp. maybe 3 F. (I think it was
advertised at 10 F. ??)

I have it set up now so I can control the flow diverted to the panels.
and I can measure my results in GPM and temperature rise.
Would a low flow of water heat more than a high flow?
Would it be better to take the incoming water from the surface where the
waters warmer or use a hose to pull it from the deep where its much colder?


I'll experiment and see what gives the best results..



Steve




Posted by on June 7, 2007, 5:59 am

>Would a low flow of water heat more than a high flow?

High makes solar collection more efficient, with
lower temps and less heat loss to the outdoors.

A clear vs blue solar pool cover and a dark bottom might help.

Nick


Posted by Bob G. on June 7, 2007, 10:53 am

>
>>I bought two solar panels last year. each is 2' x 20' black tubing...
>
>You might collect 2x2x20x250 = 20K Btu/h max in 250 Btu/h-ft^2 full sun.
>
>>What if any impact would using a garden hose instead of 1.5" pool hose for
>>the 50' connection cause?
>
>>>Not much. If 5 gpm flows through the garden hose, it might be heated
>>>20K/(5x8x60) = 8 F, without much heat loss to the outdoors.
>
>
>
>
>Thanks Nick,
>
>June 6th and the waters 65 degrees...
>
>I havent seen anywhere near 8 F rise in temp. maybe 3 F. (I think it was
>advertised at 10 F. ??)
>
>I have it set up now so I can control the flow diverted to the panels.
>and I can measure my results in GPM and temperature rise.
>Would a low flow of water heat more than a high flow?
>Would it be better to take the incoming water from the surface where the
>waters warmer or use a hose to pull it from the deep where its much colder?
>
>
>I'll experiment and see what gives the best results..
>
>
>
>Steve
>
>
Sorry BUT I missed the beginning of this thread (change in ISP's)..
so I do not know exactokly what was asked...

BUT...The slower the water travels thru the panel itself the more heat
it will absorb ... and I sure would not be looking for a 3 degree
change between inlet and outlet temps...it is a low process but given
time the entire volume of water in the pool will get warmer ..

Bob G.

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