SunHeater solar which is in and out?

[CarlD]

Yup!

If resistance is an issue, parallel is better. If it's not an issue, series can be fine.

If it's a sunny day, and everything dark is hot to the touch, but your panels are cool, then they are doin' their job!

Al understands the physics and thermodynamics better than me--I just use common sense but it gets us to EXACTLY the same place--everytime.

[Watermom]

Our Al?????? Nah, can't be. He just THINKS he knows more than us, Carl. But, we happen to know better, don't we buddy?

[Ellie]

So then, I can pipe in wherever I want and pipe out wherever I want? Sounds too simple.

Ok, in right bottom. from pool ...out right top .... in left top and out left bottom...to pool.

Yes?

Thanks,
Ellie

[Ellie]

Poconos,
I think I got it wrong again. I am stuck with the configuration of these two panels end to end on the fence. The labels are toward one another in the middle. One label is facing up and the other down given how you have to "hang" them.

So you think that I should go from the pool to the solar on the bottom left hole ... out the top left... then into the top right or bottom right?

I am not understanding if it matters which in and out occur on the label sides.

Man, I am lame at trying to figure this out. My brain tells me that it does not matter as long as it goes in and out one on the label sides. Capping the non label sides, of course.

Ellie

[Poconos]

I think your heaters are in a loopback mode. My definition. Input and output on the same end. If you are going to series them then feed one at the bottom, out at the top then to the other heater at the bottom and the final output at the top of the 2nd one. Personally, I would parallel them. Split the feed to both bottoms and combine the two tops. Better flow and better heat transfer efficiency. In parallel you wouldn't be feeding water that's already warmed to the 2nd panel.
Al

[kaybinster]

Unless there is something very odd to these panels there should be two connections to each one and it really should not matter which is used for inlet and which for outlet -- it is a very simple heat exchanger. You have two of these, so you have a choice of using them in series or in parallel. If you use it in series (cold water in to unit one and hot water coming out goes to input of second unit) you will get the hottest possible water coming out but lower flow due to pressure drop. It is also possible that the heat of the outlet may exceed the temperature limits of the plastic -- you need to check that. If you run them in parallel you will get maximum flow, and get the most heat out of the system; althought the outlet temperature will not be as high as had you run them in series.

[Ellie]

I am finally getting it. I think the parallel is better. I can also then use one or two if I put a valve in.

Now, if I split the line coming in to go to both bottom "in" lines in the solar panel.. you said to combine the top. Where then would they come out and back to the pool? Now, am I going to the ends where I had them capped off?

Plan to get this done tuesday. Thanks for any help.

Ellie