Solar Geyser - what they dont tell you

[Speedster]

I believe I have flat plates

Do you have a Geyserwise or something similar? You can use that to cool the water overnight so that it gets less warm during the afternoon

 

[wingnut771]

Do you have a Geyserwise or something similar? You can use that to cool the water overnight so that it gets less warm during the afternoon

Why would you need to if it only gets to 80?

 

[w1z4rd]

If it boiled, you would see it wasting water.

Never seen it do that.

 

[ISP cash cow]

Ironically just had this the other day on my solar geyser as well. Thought geyser had popped as it was pouring water out the outlet pipe. Got in the roof and realized it was the pressure valve releasing the hot water, checked the temp on they geyser and it was sitting at 90 degrees . Climbed on the roof and removed half the ev tubes. Temp now sitting at about 50 degrees.

 

[Speedster]

Why would you need to if it only gets to 80?

TP valve could start dumping at quite a bit lower than 80

 

[Willie Trombone]

Do you have a Geyserwise or something similar? You can use that to cool the water overnight so that it gets less warm during the afternoon

I don't but I'm going to contact the installer to have one fitted. I have a timer switch.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Never seen it do that.

How big is the geyser and how big is the household? That's likely the factor.

 

[w1z4rd]

How big is the geyser and how big is the household? That's likely the factor.

Really not sure how big it is, its pretty big. Heres a picture. I think I remember them saying 350 liters. Not sure. There are 2 people in the household, 3 on weekends.



But I guess is does leak some water, I can see a water trail down the one side.

 

[Speedster]

How big is the geyser and how big is the household? That's likely the factor.

Coupled with the panel size, obviously.

You're looking at about 2sqm or 10tubes per 100l geyser with each household member using about 75l per day

 

[Speedster]

Really not sure how big it is, its pretty big. Heres a picture. I think I remember them saying 350 liters. Not sure. There are 2 people in the household, 3 on weekends.

View attachment 1182816

But I guess is does leak some water, I can see a water trail down the one side.

I see you have PV. Have you considered selling off the geyser and adding a few more PV panels?

 

[w1z4rd]

I see you have PV. Have you considered selling off the geyser and adding a few more PV panels?

Why would we need more PV panels? There is a lot more of the roof that I could use for more PV panels, its just out of frame.

 

[Speedster]

Why would we need more PV panels? There is a lot more of the roof that I could use for more PV panels, its just out of frame.

I'm thinking more of the budget than the physical space.

 

[wingnut771]

TP valve could start dumping at quite a bit lower than 80

I would expect it to act like a normal geyser and just drip water while it's heating? When you see loads of water coming out surely that is because now its boiling?

 

[Speedster]

I would expect it to act like a normal geyser and just drip water while it's heating? When you see loads of water coming out surely that is because now its boiling?

Normal geyser stops heating at max 60 degrees. Solar keeps heating as long as the sun is shining.

 

[wingnut771]

Normal geyser stops heating at max 60 degrees. Solar keeps heating as long as the sun is shining.

but you said it maxes out at 80. So between 60 and 80 there would be a slow drip drip drip like a normal geyser would. How does a flat panel with an 80 degree limit "pee water onto the roof"? Surely the water must have been boiling for that to happen?

@Little Mac, how many litres of water would you say was overflowing?

 

[RedViking]

It must have spewed more than 50l of water onto the roof!

@Little Mac, how many litres of water would you say was overflowing?

 

[wingnut771]

 

[Speedster]

but you said it maxes out at 80. So between 60 and 80 there would be a slow drip drip drip like a normal geyser would. How does a flat panel with an 80 degree limit "pee water onto the roof"? Surely the water must have been boiling for that to happen?

@Little Mac, how many litres of water would you say was overflowing?

The electric geyser stops heating at 60. The solar geyser keeps heating up to about 80. If the TP is configured to dump at about 60- odd then it'll keep dumping at those temps.

When a normal geyser slow drips it has basically reached its temp and just the excess pressure is bled off. The solar is still going full guns (if over specced).

Edit: water boils at 100, and even higher when under pressure. Flat plates won't boil water, evacuated tubes will.

 

[Mike Angelo]

I had one of these in Kaputa (Zambia) once....
I have a fundamental issue with showering with live AC cables...

View attachment 1182636

Had one in my hotel room in Tete in Moz. Was too afraid to use it.

 

[Saba'a]

I've never liked solar geysers anyways.

When I was in the Philippines, there was this little water heater device installed next to the shower (they don't use geysers or hot water in general). I haven't seen something like it in South Africa. Water goes in, heats instantly, and goes out to the shower head warm enough for a foreigner to enjoy the hot water.

I want something like that.

We do have instant geysers in SA. Some offices usually use it for boiling water.

Takealot

Unless its something else you referring to?