Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Topic: Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics) (Read 6909 times) previous topic - next topic

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #15 – May 16, 2014, 05:24:03 PM

I haven't got it installed yet. Hope to have that done this weekend, then I'll keep y'all posted

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #16 – May 16, 2014, 07:17:00 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;433274

The plan is to run the water through the bottom layer, then loop it back through the top layer, and finally into the pool. It's a continuous loop - both layers are in series. I'm trying to decide whether this is the best way, or whether it'd be better to have the two layers in parallel (two 150-foot loops instead of one 300 foot loop). Any thoughts?

Too late to change design, but an optimum design would look similar to a radiator - header to parallel lines to header on the other side. Also, smallest tubes possible. Something like this - http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/Woodsy1K/Woodsy1K.htm However, I'd imagine you're spending WELL under $1k! :)

Looking forward to seeing how many BTU it pumps out!

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #17 – May 16, 2014, 09:22:02 PM

Way, WAY under $1k. Counting the wooden frame I've built to stand this thing on I think I might have $200 into it.

I thought about radiator style, but the cost of the T's that would be required would be prohibitive. This tubing is flexible enough that I can just loop it back and forth with no kinking.

Also, I'm not sure I like the copper pipe with aluminum fins mentioned in your link. Copper and aluminum react with each other. The galvanic reaction could result in leaks in a short time...

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #18 – May 17, 2014, 09:40:16 PM

I can't seem to write a reply that doesn't make me sound like douche engineer, but anything is better than just paying your utility for power when there's free energy lying about!

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #19 – May 18, 2014, 02:49:27 PM

That's the key. Every BTU of heat I get out of this is a BTU of heat that doesn't have to come from the power company...

Got the unit finished and mounted today. Had to build a stand to elevate it above the ground (and pool - it's about 10 feet off the ground, 6 above the pool). Where it's mounted sees full sun from 10AM to 3PM, so it should generate heat. Except that we're in for a run of shiznitty weather and won't see the sun for a week or more...

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #20 – May 18, 2014, 03:54:00 PM

Cool I like it. You could turn the stand into an enclosure of some type or maybe like a little flower garden or something.

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #21 – May 18, 2014, 03:56:16 PM

Cool I like it. You could turn the stand into an enclosure of some type or maybe like a little flower garden or something.

on another note, its halfway through May... where are all the leaves on your trees??

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #22 – May 18, 2014, 04:29:38 PM

The leaves are a few weeks late this year. Been a really shiznitty winter and spring. We were still getting snowstorms well into April (the pool was still frozen until then, too). If you look closely you can see the leaves are just starting to come out. In a week or two everything will be green (in fact I really should have mowed my lawn for the first time of the year today but was busy working on this)

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #23 – June 03, 2014, 06:05:52 PM

So we finally had some sun. The verdict is in: The water at the inlet was 55 degrees. The water coming out was 80 degrees. Free heat :hick: Also, when I first turned it on, after the sun had been shining on it but water was not circulating, the water coming out was over 120 degrees (my thermometer only goes up to 120, and it pegged that). Now I'm wondering whether I should let the water circulate freely, or put a timer in it that lets the water sit in it for 15 minutes or so, then open up a solenoid to let the water flow for 5 minutes, then close it to let the water absorb heat again, and so on...

One thing is certain: I'll be building another one next to it next year

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #24 – June 03, 2014, 06:42:41 PM

Do you know the flow-rate of the system?

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #25 – June 03, 2014, 10:11:34 PM

yeah,, Id recommend you wash, rinse and repeat the design modular like along the railing till you have about 10 of them in series.
it would be really nice if this was on a hinge, that way they fold down in the winter.
the inlet and outlet would have to be outboard though so when you fold them down, the lines can drain.

nice work.

its all about volume ,, and for the price point and delay timer, you could build another.

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #26 – June 03, 2014, 10:21:21 PM

nice angle by the way,, i think you nailed it

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #27 – June 04, 2014, 05:43:16 PM

Neat! im curious to see what it does this winter lol might not freeze the pool lol

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #28 – June 04, 2014, 06:26:38 PM

Quote from: JeremyB;434487

Do you know the flow-rate of the system?

I don't know the flow rate, but imagine a garden hose flowing with the valve turned about half way on. I've purposely restricted the flow because I don't want the water to go through so fast that it doesn't have a chance to heat.

Scott: That angle serves two purposes: A) It angles the heater a bit south, facing the sun and B) It allows water to run off. I will be building another next year, but this year I've got too many other projects on the boil.

87thunderbirdBlackJack: It won't be running in the winter. It uses the pool's pump to move the water, and that will be put away. I'll pump some plumbing antifreeze into it before winter, since draining it would be difficult (although the piping is flexible enough freezing probably wouldn't hurt it, but I'm not gonna find out)

Redneck pool heater construction has FINISHED (new pics)

Reply #29 – June 04, 2014, 06:31:49 PM

Now that I know this thing can heat water over 120, I'd love to be able to build a larger one and put it on the roof of the house for domestic hot water. I'd have to run antifreeze through it and use a heat exchanger inside to transfer the heat out of the antifreeze and into the water, but I think it would work well. Unfortunately my fear of heights, while it can be overcome for modest height such as building my garage with 12' walls (although my heart rate was quite elevated the entire time I spent on a ladder), would paralyse me on this two-story house with a roof a good 20 feet off the ground...