I'll be putting together out solar hot water system soon. I've got an everlast tank and our gas booster is set up with a tempering valve and set to 60 degrees as required. Now I need to pick a controller for the circulating pump. Can anyone recommend one? Resol seem to make nice controllers but are they any better than the chinese models available for $150 or so from ebay? People with split systems - what controllers are you using and what would you recommend?
Best controller for split solar hot water?
(9 posts) (7 voices)-
olfella
MemberG'day munter,
There are two main white labeled brands of controllers which the various brands seem to use. Those are Resol & Solastat.
Mine is an AAE system & from their website I downloaded the specs & manuals for both from links supplied. The controller on my system is the Solastat plus variant, even though it is logoed AAE. It is a good programmable three sensor controller. Resol seems to have a similar model. I noticed Gully has a different or later model controller on his AAE to mine. I'd suggest you get good quality & supported controller as it is at the heart of the efficiency & reliability of your system. I reckon having the three sensors, for Tanktop/outlet, bottom tank/inlet & manifold is essential for best operation.
I notice you are going to be gas boosted, so you don't really need to be able to program for selected times for electric boost. (This is useful for anyone who is electric boosted, just in case these greedy governments or power companies phase out time switched offpeak, & I reckon the mongrels will once thye get everyone locked onto ToU tariffs.) Who knows though; if the buggers get away with ToU electricity, I can't see what would stop them extending it to gas somewhere down the track, after all energy is energy & they surely ensure unit cost increases to parity p/kJ.
Other valid option is to buy two cheapies, if they're cheap enough, & hope they prove reliable.
Posted Friday 5 Nov 2010 @ 1:15:03 pm from IP # -
Sunshine
Membermunter,
My Hills systems has a Hills branded controller, so I'm not sure if they make their own, or it's badge engineered.
Haven't had any probs with it though.
I suggest running a surge cube power spike protector to protect it from power or lightning induced surges.Posted Saturday 6 Nov 2010 @ 5:11:15 am from IP # -
Thanks for the advice. I have looked up the AAE solastat which appears to be a re-branded Senztek device from NZ. I haven't seen any web pricing in Aus but NZ pricing seems over $500NZ for the unit. I haven't been able to find web pricing for Resol components in Australia so will probably have to revert to calling the importer.
I haven't been able to identify the the Hills control unit yet but will keep digging around.
Posted Monday 8 Nov 2010 @ 1:50:59 am from IP # -
bgraetz
MemberI would recommend the Solastat. we supply the Apricus solar hot water systems, and have been using that controller now for about 2 years (off top of my head) they are easy to program, and have alot of features, as a guide, the standard solastat-1 with 2 sensors is approx $300. they also do 3 sensor models, alot of the time with a 3 sensor model unless you have sensor ports in your everlast tank it's hard to get a good hot outlet reading! (due to insulation and poly outer casing!)
They also show up if you have a sensor problem (rat chew through etc.)
all around it's a good solid controllerThe Resol controllers were the original controllers we used, which worked well, but have analogue adjustments and no read-outs etc. and were only $20-$30 cheaper. havent checked out their latest options though, so i cant really advise on that!
hope this helps
BG
Posted Wednesday 10 Nov 2010 @ 10:45:03 pm from IP # -
legas
MemberI've just had the electrician here to check out power failure. Turns out it was caused by my Solastat controller which is not yet 2 years old. I have a SkySolar evacuated tube system but the company has apparently gone out of business since all their telephone numbers are disconnected. Can't see any Internet presence from a quick look either. I'm nervous abouot replacing the dud with another of the same brand. Any suggestions?
Posted Monday 5 Mar 2012 @ 5:38:33 am from IP # -
Sorry to hear about the controller problems.
I ended up buying a resol delta BS3 controller from eBay. It only cost $85 and has a good range of functionality. It has a display screen and many adjustable parameters. So far I'd recommend it as a pretty good controller
Posted Monday 5 Mar 2012 @ 10:13:23 am from IP # -
peter69_56
MemberI have a solar controller SR-1068 sold by Mi.sol from Ebay and I have found its very good. Works well and easy to install and program. I inadvertently damaged the evac tube temp sensor and asked to send 2 sensors in express mail. In australia they were going to take months to get them and cost about $70 each, I got them from China in 3 days express mail for $30 posted for 2. The controller cost me about $129 and I would recommend it. I have got it set up so if the tank water goes above 62C it takes power off the gas booster so it will never turn on, if the temperature drops to <58C it powers back up again (rennai solar 20). SOme gas boosts cut the water off if you do this but the rennai I have doesnt.
The NZ ones are about $300 or so and I cannot see any difference between them. This one is well built and all the parts are there 15m of cable for the panel sensor and a sensor for tank outlet and pump inlet to the panel. Made up a couple of sensor pockets to read the water temperature in the lines as I couldnt buy them anywhere.
If you look on ebay make sure you get the 240vAC one as there is also the 110vAC and 12vDC ones. If anyone wants more info I can send them the operating manual. I am very impressed with them as they are heaps better than the crap black box that came with my original system that told me nothing about what was going on in the system. Now I can see if the pump runs, panel temp, water temp and bottom tank temp.
Posted Friday 9 Mar 2012 @ 4:04:13 pm from IP #
Reply
You must log in to post.