Solar Thermal Install

[Onoff]

My back has given up for the day so I have as well!

Moved all the brackets. Kept it as 4 brackets. Still ended up with a "4/5/5" dictated by the roof timbers but it's much more central to the roof now.

https://flic.kr/p/2s6Wod7

https://flic.kr/p/2s6Wqiu

I've clamped the unistrut on top for now. I'm going to get my lad to print some isolation washers.

https://flic.kr/p/2s6PKPz

Loads of CT1'd patches over previous splits and what I've caused, dropped one tile and broke another few juggling them in situ. Dressed the burr with one of the Chinesium flap discs off Temu that worked a treat.

Cut the return off the lower brackets using 1mm Abracs discs. Tbh they really struggled.

https://flic.kr/p/2s6WrPv

Rain here tomorrow.

 

[Gareth J]

Cut the return off the lower brackets using 1mm Abracs discs. Tbh they really struggled.

Cutting anything with any "spring" to it, like it looks like those brackets will have, is a nightmare. Especially stainless. Unless you clamped them to something solid during the cut, or even held it with a boot, something to stop them vibrating. Maybe you did that though an the discs are terrible, not noticed the last abracs I had were much better or worse than others have had though.

 

[Trevorleach]

On mine I simply drilled the tile for the pipe, then siliconed the pipe in the hole in the tile, no thought at all given to the felt!

 

[angellonewolf]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pitched-20-40%C2%B0-Lead-Weather-Flashing/dp/B07FTPLT18/ref=asc_df_B07FTPLT18?mcid=feea93723f6330638a9fbfa9769133c5&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697257633820&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6146416831458210235&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9214674&hvtargid=pla-716187996374&hvocijid=6146416831458210235-B07FTPLT18-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

would this do ?and a bit of mastic

 

[angellonewolf]

Lead Cable/Pipe Access

Designed using code 4 sheet lead in accordance to the BS EN 12588, the Roof Shack cable and pipe access unit is an excellent alternative to allow cable and pipe access into the roof/Loft space

www.theroofshack.co.uk

this might be better

 

[angellonewolf]

those pipe entrys look wrong to me should they not me mounted at least pointing down so any water if it gets in there runs back out

 

[Onoff]

On mine I simply drilled the tile for the pipe, then siliconed the pipe in the hole in the tile, no thought at all given to the felt!

I think you said before. I've more than a few issues with birds, vermin and wasps in the space between the felt and tile so anxious to not make that worse.

For one I'm keen to maintain the pipe insulation where it goes through the roof.

Half a mad plan I'm mulling, sketch coming soon!

The pipe I use to interconnect the panels looks like something flexible, is it something special and what's it called? I've never seen anything like it before tbh other than flexible, "Kopex" style electrical conduit.

https://flic.kr/p/UtSyiq

 

[Onoff]

Thinking on these lines. Using a 110 mm soil elbow atop a 3D printed cowl. The cowl and sealing washer get sandwiched to the felt using CT1. Once the cowl is positioned, then a tile shaped sealing washer gets CT1'1 over that, to the tile. It'll allow plenty of room to get the solar pipe through and insulate both it and the space around the insulated pipe.

https://flic.kr/p/2s73qDk

 

[Onoff]

Got my lad to print some isolation washers to fit in the unistrut. Whoops, the fault of my crap, fag packet sketch

 

[gaz1]

the flexi are these but in smaller versions it has no rubber in use but is still flexable

Flexible Connectors | Categories | Ridgeline Tubes

ridgelinetubes.com

Pardon our interruption...

Stainless steel corrugated pipe DN20 extendable - 3 / 4 "outer threads, 3 / 4" t

- Suitable for connection of boilers, radiators, boilers, fans, expansion tanks, etc. 7074CASADN31

www.esska-tech.co.uk

 

[Onoff]

The unistrut slots did not line up dead centre of the brackets. Never mind, top rail bolted on with M10 A2 nylocs, flat rounds and nylon washers:

https://flic.kr/p/2s79aDL

 

[Onoff]

Just about to get the bottom rail on. Need to find my solar paperwork and manuals for all the bits I've collected.

Didn't realise until yesterday I need to use DZR compression fittings on any copper pipework and even pipe inserts in any 15mm copper pipe ends

Steep learning curve this.

 

[dobbslc]

I've never heard of DZR compression fittings before.
I hope the standard ones are ok on my central heating system

 

[Onoff]

I've never heard of DZR compression fittings before.
I hope the standard ones are ok on my central heating system

They have a high(er) percentage of zinc:

Solar Compression fittings Archives - Dragons Breath Solar

We offer high quality DZR dezincified bronze solar compression fittings. These are used in high temperature pressurised sealed systems.

dragonsbreathsolar.co.uk

 

[Onoff]

At last!

Top and bottom rails on to my satisfaction. Printed new isolating washers:

https://flic.kr/p/2s7bNpn

Not all fixings sit dead centre of the bracket. I see now why that couldn't be helped. Proper solar panel channel allows infinite adjustment.

https://flic.kr/p/2s7hpP6

The galvanised unistrut is isolated from the stainless bolt and bracket:

https://flic.kr/p/2s7hVEu

https://flic.kr/p/2s7iDyA

I use a gauge stick made from a bit of 25mm box to keep the rail spacing correct:

https://flic.kr/p/2s7c8zb

That's all for now. I'll start removing the tubes from the panels next. Carefully binning the broken ones and storing the good ones to reuse.

 

[Trevorleach]

Just about to get the bottom rail on. Need to find my solar paperwork and manuals for all the bits I've collected.

Didn't realise until yesterday I need to use DZR compression fittings on any copper pipework and even pipe inserts in any 15mm copper pipe ends

Steep learning curve this.

Only come across DZR fittings on boats, bit overkill for this job?

I used std plumbing fittings on my solar set up, only thing I remember being special was the coolant aka heat transfer fluid.

 

[Onoff]

Only come across DZR fittings on boats, bit overkill for this job?

I used std plumbing fittings on my solar set up, only thing I remember being special was the coolant aka heat transfer fluid.

What's the glycol pipe loop run in, 15 or 22mm?

 

[Onoff]

Still so many questions! What with solar thermal being generally supplanted by PV systems, there seems to be less info on the net.

Each panel interconnect via what appears to be a ready made, flexible stainless pipe. One of the originals:

https://flic.kr/p/UtSyiq

Maybe this would do, I want to space the panels a little so as to get a ladder between them

Flexible Stainless Steel Hose

A flexible copper ended stainless steel tube. Easy fix for difficult pipe work, can be used with end feed, solder ring and compression fittings.

www.toolstation.com

The tip of the heat pipe on the evacuated tubes appear to be coated in a thermal transfer paste:

https://flic.kr/p/2ntaCe7

This maybe?

MG Chemicals 860-60G Silicone Heat Transfer Compound, 60g Jar : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

MG Chemicals 860-60G Silicone Heat Transfer Compound, 60g Jar : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Trevorleach]

What's the glycol pipe loop run in, 15 or 22mm?

Without looking I think 15 in the airing cupboard and underside of the tiles, then 10mm between the two, 10mm was on a roll.
Remember to fit a bleed vent at the highest point inside the roof.
Will see if I have some pics.

 

[voipio]

What's the glycol pipe loop run in, 15 or 22mm?

22mm seems to work OK.