Anyone know of a source for solar heat storage tanks?

KFC911 · 08-30-2006, 04:44 AM

You guys are a wealth of info, so I thought I'd ask here.... My parents installed a solar system in the early 80s, and the storage tanks need to be replaced. I'm looking for three 120 gal (aprox) storage tanks (and probably a 60-80 gal auxilary water heater too), and can't locate a source for the storage tanks...any ideas?

charleskieffner · 08-30-2006, 04:56 AM

there is a place in flagstaff az. and also tom bonner my neighbor here in cave creek az. would know. tom bonner and leslie neilsen(yes the actor) are together on a number of solar ventures. i had tom do my passive 80 gallon water heater and collector. dont have to touch it when it freezes. toms biz name is SUN SYSTEMS SOLAR and they are on pinnicle peak road here in north phx. call information and they will have number or click on sun systems on web search.

when roomate gets back from flagstaff will quiz him on name of guys in flag and get back to you.

KFC911 · 08-30-2006, 05:06 AM

Thanks!

masraum · 08-30-2006, 08:54 AM

I've often thought a solar water heater would be a good thing in certain environments. How hot does the water get?

I also like the idea of the geothermal heat pump.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_exchange_heat_pump

charleskieffner · 08-30-2006, 09:14 AM

80 gallon water heater, roughly 100 gallons collector and pipes. no pump(passive system). pump (active system) with thermostat that fails sometimes when it freezes(yes it freezes and snows here at 2543 elevation) thereby freezing collector and lots of obvious inherent problems. mine is passive system. learned my lesson one cold day and had sheets of water coming off of roof.

i do not have 30 amp water heater breaker on until i do not get any hot water which is usually around nov. so from november to say roughly feb/march breaker is on. 8 months out of year breaker off. it all goes by sunny days and ambient air temps.

how hot does it get? hot enough to scald you. and the best part..............a really really long 180 gallon shower after a night of working on p-car and drinking beer to major excess!!! LOL! i call it my recovery room! mother earth news is really in to this technology!

charleskieffner · 08-30-2006, 09:20 AM

also have 40 amp purple photovotaic portable solor collector. used it on 26 foot cabin cruiser to run refrig/freezer and make ice in middle of july at lake powell! great for charging any 12volt battery if not using vehicle. use it also on our hunt trailer to charge battery to run lights at night when hunting.

purple photovotaic cells is what forest service uses at remote weather stations. can be pissed on/shot with 30.06 and will continue to make power! pretty cool stuff. new sailboat ones very thin and you can fold them.

look up arizona state public service ( APS) electric company. have huge solar farm just east of ASU in tempe. same stuff powers MARS ROVER!

KFC911 · 08-30-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by masraum
I've often thought a solar water heater would be a good thing in certain environments. How hot does the water get?

I also like the idea of the geothermal heat pump.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_exchange_heat_pump

My parent's have always loved their system and they use it for hot water and also for heating. Although solar will not suffice as a stand-alone heating system (cloudy days, etc.), it heats their house VERY well (warmer than I can stand...and 'free'

) most of the time (supplemented with a wood stove in the basement, and a fire place insert), and the hot water out of the tap will typically scald you if you aren't careful. I'd have to ask my dad about actual temps, but it's generally way hotter than the setting on a typical hot water heater. Just FYI, in addition to the three 120 gallon tanks, their system also has 'regular' 80 gal. hot water heater in the loop for boosting the temp if necessary.

charleskieffner · 08-30-2006, 09:36 AM

will be leaving office here in a while, heres SUN SYSTEMS address and number. c/o tom bonner 2030 w. pinnicle peak road. phx. az. 85027. phone 623 869-7652 fax 623 869-0891

www.sunsystemsinc.com

arizona is the numero uno place on the planet for solar research. wonder why ? DUH! about 360 days of SUNSHINE! tell tom i sent you. great guy and funnier than hell. he has a great coach with leslie neilsen. he also manufacturers collectors big bigger and really really BIG! custom stuff also. pool systems etc.