What to do with my reynolds solar Hot Water System

Posted by Marc Siegel on October 13, 2009, 12:54:31 PM

What to do with my reynolds solar Hot Water System
My Reynolds Solar Hot Water System has been functioning just great since it was installed in 1982. The 120 gallon tank finally went bad last year..I have had several companies come out and offer to sell me a whole new system, which they tell me with all the Federal, State and County incentives would just about pay for itself. When the Contractors come out they tell me that if I stick with the current system and the heat exchanger goes out then I would end up needing a new system anyway.

Marc in Maryland
 

Posted by Tom Mayrand on October 13, 2009, 01:07:53 PM

Re: What to do with my reynolds solar Hot Water System (Reply #1)
Marc, if the tank is leaking get rid of the external heat exchanger that is on top of the tank  along with the tank, scrap it and just get a new tank with a built in heat exchanger. There are many to choose from these days. I usually reccomend a Superstor. If the panels don't leak and the controller and pump still work, then continue to use them. You may just have to redo some piping at the tank, and you can reduce to using only one circulator pump.
 

Posted by Marc Siegel on October 13, 2009, 05:36:38 PM

Re: What to do with my reynolds solar Hot Water System (Reply #2)
Tom

Thanks.. Sounds like the simplest plan.. Do you have any Contractor Recommendations for the Wash DC area?
 

Posted by Tom Mayrand on October 14, 2009, 10:10:23 AM

Re: What to do with my reynolds solar Hot Water System (Reply #3)
Marc, just do an internet search, you should be able to find someone in the area. If not, just get a local plumber. If you explain what needs to be done, he should be able to do the job. Basically, cut the two lines heading up to the panels and reconnect them to the heat exchanger coil. Just be sure to add a couple of boiler drains for filling and purging, a check valve between them and the pump all in series near the tank on the lines heading up to the panels. Put the sensor somewhere on the tank, middle if possible, and plug the pump into the controller.
  Then cold water in and hot water out to an existing, backup hot water source.
 There are plenty of diagrams for systems on line. Just do a search. Home power magazine has plenty, as well as other hot water sites...
 

Posted by Ryan Williamson on January 28, 2010, 01:05:51 AM

Re: What to do with my reynolds solar Hot Water System (Reply #4)
Two years ago I acquired a "free" Reynolds system.  A few weeks after installing it in my house the tank started leaking.  Yes I should not have trusted a 20 yr old tank.  I separated the heat exchanger and installed a conventional whirlpool electric tank (not wired to work but could be).  They are quite cheep and have three inlets in the top.  I paired the cold h2o in with the cold draw for the heat exchanger.  It works great and  it means that you can keep the old heat exchanger.  That is good as it has aluminum piping on the solar side to match the panels. 
 
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