Solar pool heater

[BigDave]

Higher flow will provide better heating than lower. The goal is to move as many calories from the collector to the pool. Lower flow will give a higher change in temperature across the collector but higher flow will move more of the available heat into the pool. Use as many parallel tubes as possible for highest possible flow.

[bradatkins]

Higher flow will provide better heating than lower. The goal is to move as many calories from the collector to the pool. Lower flow will give a higher change in temperature across the collector but higher flow will move more of the available heat into the pool. Use as many parallel tubes as possible for highest possible flow.

You said move as many "calories" I'm guessing you mean gallons?

So I get the use as many parallel tubes, but what size is typically optimal? Based on higher flow, 1/2 - 1" is probably best?

[twizted1]

Higher flow will provide better heating than lower. The goal is to move as many calories from the collector to the pool. Lower flow will give a higher change in temperature across the collector but higher flow will move more of the available heat into the pool. Use as many parallel tubes as possible for highest possible flow.

Thankfully someone more knowledgeable chimed in, I'd have directed you to a slower flow with the system, but I do believe there needs to be a balance with flow rate to the heat transfer.

[BigDave]

I mean calories - units of energy - heat. It seems counterintuitive, but it's not the temperature of the water coming out of the collector but the total amount of heat you can put in the pool.

[bradatkins]

So I got the main piping in for the solar system. Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone who had good hose to use.

This is my main setup. Not as clean as I want it, but I'll do more tweaking once I get the rest of the hose.



I ended up ordering two of these from home depot:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/1-2-...-tubing/994403

Based on the picture it looks like it can be coiled pretty tight, so hopefully that's true!

[BigDave]

I really can't see where the tubes are going, but I think the Tee closest to the filter feeds the solar loop, the Tee farthest from the filter is the return from the solar loop. The valve between the Tees bypasses the solar loop (when open) and the valves on the legs of the Tees isolate the solar loop (when closed). The line beyond the farthest Tee is the return to the pool.

How big is the line from the filter to the pool? How's the flow at the pool return? Are you planning to run parallel sections of the 1/2" tubing? Have you thought about how to lay this up for the winter?

[bradatkins]

Here's an updated picture describing the flow



Here's the diagram I'm using as a general guide:



The main pipe coming out of the filter is 1". The loops on the roof will be 1/2". The flow is reduced when flowing up to the solar loops, of course, but still acceptable.

As for winter, I plan to leave it in place, and blow out the lines. I will be taking down the solar loops as the pipe is a little more fragile then the main system which is poly pipe.

[bradatkins]

Here's a picture of the first coil. I've only built 2 for this year. Plan to build more next year: