Southeastern Preppers Network

Prepping => Power and Energy => Topic started by: RWS on July 14, 2019, 08:00:03 AM

Title: Converting home to off Grid power
Post by: RWS on July 14, 2019, 08:00:03 AM
Last Fall I helped a friend mount a heat exchanger beside his hot water heater.  It had an old heat exchanger (plate) that was plugged up, so the tank fittings were already there.  We installed a solar drain back tank 10 gal with internal finned copper coil heat exchanger.  With this we installed a differential temperature controller and a 1/25th hp circulation pump.  When we started the pumps to check for leaks the system began collecting heat.  The heat source is a wood fired hot water boiler that supplies hot water to a large heat exchanger in the central heat furnace. 
They used it all Winter for DHW (domestic hot water) and are now eager to install some solar heat for Summer DHW.  I had 2ea AE32 flat plate heat exchangers     http://www.aetsolar.com/literature/AE_Collector_Brochure.pdf   that I have loaded on my truck.  He has agreed to buy them.  I intend to carry them to the mountains when I can get away again. 

He is going to measure the head ( distance from the pump to the top of the collectors) so that I can order the correct circulating pump.  Maybe I can get a picture of the install in the next couple months.
Converting a home to off grid first requires addressing the existing heavy electrical loads. 
Title: Re: Converting home to off Grid power
Post by: RWS on July 16, 2019, 11:30:09 AM
Yesterday the wife & I made a round trip to Asheville, NC and back delivering the solar water collectors.  We have a return trip scheduled for when the customer said he would have the collectors and piping installed.  We will then start up the solar water heater.  We will take the camper and stay on the property over night.  In the picture you will notice a pole barn on the right.  It has a level concrete floor, 120Vac power, sewer hookup and water hook up.  What else would you want?  Yes it has that also a small building beside the pole barn has a shower, sink and commode.  I have been invited to come stay whenever I want during the Summer months.  During the Winter months he stores his camping trailer there.
Check out the wall to wall solar window !
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