Heating Help

New Expansion Tank

@ March 21, 2012 5:09 PM in How much oil have I lost

It is more than likely your Expansion tank is failing or not sized properly. First check and make sure that the air bladder of the tank is pressurized to the pressure. If you keep your system at 30psi, then the bladder should be 3-5 PSI lower. I have seen the wild swings handful of times on systems. It not unusual for this to happen.

Always make sure the expansion tank is rated for solar temps.

Good luck
Michael

If some tries this...

@ March 21, 2012 8:09 AM in Bio Glycol ... any experience?

Please let me know.
Thanks for posting this.

expansion tank

@ March 21, 2012 7:03 AM in How much oil have I lost

It may be leaking into the expansion tank. Is there any swings in the PSI or is it holding at 12?

Screwed

@ March 21, 2012 7:00 AM in Attaching Solar to 12" SIP Panels

I ended up drilling extra holes in the L-feet so each one had 4 screw per. It felt very strong and was recommended by the builder.

On the West side of the array I attached to the top plate on which the SIPS set. Then I attached to two glue lams with 14'' screws.

It was hard to obtain direct info from the company or reps on this subject. Thanks for the input.
Michael

No joists

@ March 12, 2012 12:05 PM in Attaching Solar to 12" SIP Panels

Hi Larry,

There is no joists in these SIPS. It would of made it a Whole Lot Easier!
Thanks for the response.
Michael

Attaching Solar to 12" SIP Panels

@ March 7, 2012 9:49 PM in Attaching Solar to 12" SIP Panels

Hi,

Has anyone attached solar racking to a SIPS roof? The roof covering is asphalt shingles. This is for PV not solar thermal. I called the manufacture, searched the web and I have not found out much. Any input welcome.
Thanks,
Michael

Good info

@ October 5, 2011 5:27 PM in Louisiana code for Backflow preventer on solar hot water systems

Thanks for the info.

I am actually down In Louisiana now to help them rectify these codes and spread some light on SWH systems.

tom

@ September 23, 2011 11:54 AM in air in glycol

I charge a system first with water. When charging with water first is when you get most the air out.

I use 2 five gallon buckets when charging the water. one bucket is for the discharge off the pump (if there is a drain near by I will use that instead of a bucket) and the second is for the water and where I put in the suction hose (Obvious).

Using the water, I push out all the air through the discharge hose. Once the major air is out of the loop, I put the discharge hose in with the bucket water. This I will let circulate for 15-30 minutes, while open and closing valves to force pressure up and down in the system and to burp any remaining air out.

Once you've done this it is the same procedure for your glycol mixture.

The coin vents or auto air vents are absolute in a closed loop system. Every time I have checked the air vents, I have had just a spit of air (less then a second worth) come out.

Knock on wood, I have not had a system go to stagnation because of cavitation caused by improper charging. I was taught well.

Good Luck
Michael

Thanks HR

@ September 22, 2011 10:48 AM in Louisiana code for Backflow preventer on solar hot water systems

HR
My only response regarding the DHH letter pertaining to the backflow preventer issue is that it is absurd at best. What contaminants are they protecting against? If all direct systems are outlawed by the DHH, subsequently all systems will have a heat exchanger (double walled, yikes!). I do not know the failure rates of heat exchangers, but I have seen some in solar and boiler systems that are well over 20 years old. The heat exchanger may have lost efficiencies, but still had containment.

The backflow preventer is the tip of the iceberg in the DHH requirements. The outlaw of direct open loops mystifies me. It's the city, states water supply that is being used. The only contaminants that are in the water, they have put in (sodium fluoride, chlorine and other heavy metals). If they are so worried about the potential of the HTF from a solar system contaminating the potable water supply, then only allow water and propylene glycol to be used as the HTF. Outlaw the use of ethylene glycol as a HTF.

I know some states and cities municipalities require a backflow preventer on all new construction. And I still do not understand that, but to penalize one small certain area of water connection (solar in this case) is misguided
I guess it our jobs to educate the folks that make the rules.
Thanks again HR
Michael

Louisiana/New Orleans code for Backflow preventer on solar hot water systems

@ September 21, 2011 6:42 PM in Louisiana/New Orleans code for Backflow preventer on solar hot water systems

I have been talking with a gentlemen in New Orleans about solar thermal. He is having problems selling the systems because the Dept. of health demands that a backflow preventer is put on the main water line coming into the house, thus creating a higher cost to the customer.

I understand why back flow preventers are put on residential and commercial water systems, (kind of, I don't understand where contamination would come from) But why, on a solar thermal system would you need a backflow preventer on the main water system coming into the house?

Here is a link about the Louisiana code:http://www.lses.org/problems-heating-up-for-solar-water-heater-installations-in-la/

I posted this on the Solar page and receive no replies so I thought I would try the boiler folks.

Thanks,
Michael

Charging pump

@ September 20, 2011 8:09 PM in air in glycol

Tom,

How did you get the glycol into the solar loop?

You should be able to get most the air out

@ September 20, 2011 6:12 PM in air in glycol

with using the charging pump. Using water first is always best. Do you have coin vents/or any type of vents at the highest point of the system?

Louisiana/New Orleans code for Backflow preventer on solar hot water systems

@ September 20, 2011 5:32 PM in Louisiana code for Backflow preventer on solar hot water systems

I have been talking with a gentlemen in New Orleans about solar thermal. He is having problems selling the systems because the Dept. of health demands that a backflow preventer is put on the main water line coming into the house, thus creating a higher cost to the customer.

I understand why back flow preventers are put on residential and commercial water systems, (kind of, I don't understand where contamination would come from) But why, on a solar thermal system would you need a backflow preventer on the main water system coming into the house?


Here is a link about the Louisiana code:http://www.lses.org/problems-heating-up-for-solar-water-heater-installations-in-la/





Thanks,
Michael

Mark

@ May 8, 2011 11:24 PM in Disaster relief water filtration

The man never sleeps : )

That sand filter is a great idea Mark! Thanks. Keep 'em coming. Your amazing.
Michael

Disaster relief water filtration

@ May 8, 2011 11:04 PM in Disaster relief water filtration

Ok Wallies I need help here. This is not a heating question.

I have a friend that is working in Japan to help with disaster relief. He is trying to filter water out of a raging muddy river to supply drinking water. He is using a large R.O. system, but they have had so much rain lately that it is stirring up mud and rocks and plugging the RO filters.

I suggested he use a junk pump first with an in line filter in the hose. Maybe even some of centrifuge and then in to the RO system.
Thanks in advance
Michael

I passed the NABCEP Solar Thermal exam

@ May 2, 2011 4:12 PM in NABCEP Questions

Yahoooooo!

Michael

Boiler explodes in former Adirondack armory; no one hurt

@ April 20, 2011 9:29 AM in Boiler explodes in former Adirondack armory; no one hurt

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/boiler_explodes_in_former_adir.html

NYSERDA does not require NABCEP until 2012

@ April 18, 2011 4:28 PM in NABCEP Questions

So you have time. You still need installs I believe to become a NYSERDA certified installer. If I can help feel free to contact me.
Michael

after the test

@ April 5, 2011 8:51 PM in NABCEP Questions

I feel that I did much better on this test than the last one I took a year and half ago, the main reason being that I knew what to expect. It seems that there have been some changes made to SHW NABCEP test. This is an improvement. I studied my ass off once again and have no complaints about it. These last two times I studied for the test I learned a few things I did not know and I love that. I do feel I passed the test. I answered about 60 questions without much problem and there were 8 or 10 I had to keep going back to. I realized a pattern was being used and once I figured that out I knew how to answer the remaining questions.

Karl and SolarDell,
The one thing I would like to see changed are the sample questions in the Solar Thermal Study guide and the guide itself. The sample questions are very misleading to what the test really is. Those questions in the study guide are rudimentary and do not even come close to what the questions are on the exam. I stay this with deep respect. I love the idea of the test and what it stands for, but at the same time I believe we all need to be on the same page to make "our" industry more credible. It's great to have a test that makes you think (which it did) and problem solve. I truly enjoy that. But people need to know what they're getting into. This test, as you know is very expensive. My company does not pay for the test. It comes out of pocket. Two tests add up. I understand the cost. The cost will attract serious minded people only and I am fine with that. In that case,there is a responsibility of the test giver to give proper information to the candidate to succeed. If that candidate does not use the tools shame on him/her!

I have been extremely fortunate to learn from some great solar thermal people (Bristol Stickney and Joe Annon) while in New Mexico and have made some ties with others (HR and folks here on the wall). I have almost six years in solar thermal and over three in PV. I am young to the industry (but not young of age), but I've been a tree hugger since my youth. Doing solar beats being peppered sprayed any day.

As for the ranting, I believe if people really don't care about something, they don't say anything. When I hear people rant usually I think they care. I know that is not always the case, but I feel that in this instance it is. If you don't care about what you're doing, don't do it. I am blessed because I believe in and love what I do for a "living."

I have fixed some half ass SHW systems in the last 5 plus years and it pisses me off to see that crap. I think the reasons for these types of systems are lack of education and the quick buck. Hopefully we can help with the education part, with this forum, NABCEP, general rules and guidelines established. For all of us that care, I would hope that means we work together.
Thank you for all the input on this thread and once again Dan thank you for this forum.
Michael

.

Rant and rave and whatever else

@ March 27, 2011 5:16 PM in NABCEP Questions

Thank you Dan for this site.

It's great for education of all levels of human info. Rants and Raves are included like or not folks.

You can't make a change in this world with your head stuck in the sand or else where. Conformity is like convenience it kills.....

HR and Mark thank you for your input. Now lets get it to the hands that may change things.

NABCEP Questions

@ March 22, 2011 4:39 PM in NABCEP Questions

I agree that they are under staffed, but where is all the money going. These test are not cheap as you know. $300.00 a pop! I agree with Mark that maybe some other organization should take over for SHW. Especially people that have the know how in hydronics and solar thermal.


Black Iron it is.

Thanks for your input!
Michael

Oil Oil Oil!

@ March 22, 2011 4:34 PM in NABCEP Questions

That is why there is no funding for SHW. Plan and simple. Maybe one other reason is we need the PV to feed our ever growing need of electronics and gadgets. Humans need to simplify.