We have a close coupled solar hot water system with solid fuel stove wetback for backup heating. The solar hot water has been terrific, but now we've (finally) had some cloudy days. We have just started to light the slow combustion stove to heat water, but after some time, with stove inlet and outlet pipes being really hot, we get a loud gurgling noise and then the system dumps water on the roof (maybe the makeup tank overflows?)and the pump kicks in and adds cold water to the tank. The tank water does not get hot - even after many hours. Our plumber had never installed a wetback system before. He has gone overseas til October.
He installed our wetback system (from Everhot stove)with a heat exchanger to a makeup tank installed above the solar hot water tank on the roof. This means it is about level with the middle of the tank. Could this be the problem? (i.e. should it be below the tank?)Or what else could be the problem?
Heat exchanger on solar hot water tank
(2 posts) (2 voices)-
mountainbiker
MemberPosted Wednesday 18 May 2011 @ 2:26:44 am from IP # -
Joe
MemberHi Mouintain biker
what you have described is confusing as there is no reason to have a heat exchanger for the everhot stove, since it is below the close coupled Solar panels it should be just teed into the inlet/outlet as if it was just one more panel (which it would be - you are just burning stored CO2 and sunlight with the wood burner)
If you can't do the mod your self then get another plumber to fix it
JoePosted Wednesday 18 May 2011 @ 8:21:57 am from IP #
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