Back about a year or two I built a DIY solar DHW system based on the build it solar website
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/Metal1K/Metal1K.htm
It worked pretty well but there were a few things that could be improved.
Added another 4'x8' ( now have 2 panels).
Moved the tanks to the other side of the basement to reduce the long horizontal hose run.
Added high temp plastic drum liners, the drums were rusting and leaking.
Added a stainless steel pump, the cast iron one rusted through.
Increased supply hose size from 1/2" to 3/4" for better flow and drain-back.
It has been working really well, with the nice sunny weather we have been having, the system has been making plenty of hot water, today the tank temp is 155
. (The digital temp gauge read in
)
![Solar System Upgrade (DHW)... Solar System Upgrade (DHW)...](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/101/101586-ad9beed1a52455a2e44cf0fa4e47be9c.jpg)
![Solar System Upgrade (DHW)... Solar System Upgrade (DHW)...](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/101/101587-076c61b03ea15ff8e4902986b03c8d76.jpg)
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/Metal1K/Metal1K.htm
It worked pretty well but there were a few things that could be improved.
Added another 4'x8' ( now have 2 panels).
Moved the tanks to the other side of the basement to reduce the long horizontal hose run.
Added high temp plastic drum liners, the drums were rusting and leaking.
Added a stainless steel pump, the cast iron one rusted through.
Increased supply hose size from 1/2" to 3/4" for better flow and drain-back.
It has been working really well, with the nice sunny weather we have been having, the system has been making plenty of hot water, today the tank temp is 155
![Fahr ::F ::F](/talk/styles/default/xenforo/smileys/f.png)
![Centigrade ::C ::C](/talk/styles/default/xenforo/smileys/c.png)
![Solar System Upgrade (DHW)... Solar System Upgrade (DHW)...](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/101/101586-ad9beed1a52455a2e44cf0fa4e47be9c.jpg)
![Solar System Upgrade (DHW)... Solar System Upgrade (DHW)...](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/101/101587-076c61b03ea15ff8e4902986b03c8d76.jpg)