SRCC ratings can be found in the Product Documentation section above.
Alternate Energy Technologies DB-120-96 Indirect Drainback System, or Closed Loop System w/ 120 Gal Tank, 96 sq ft Collector, External Heat Exchanger, & AC pump for colder climates. Antifreeze or water circulates through the collector.
Alternate Energy Technologies LLC
Closed Loop Solar Hot water Systems
Drainback Freeze Protection & AC Backup
DB-120-96

WATER HEATING SYSTEM

AET’s #1 water heating system
The Natural Solution for Hot Water

The EagleSun 120 gallon drainback system is designed for families with 4-6 members. The EagleSun has fewer system components than any other active solar system, making the system more dependable and virtually maintenance free. The EagleSun will pay for itself several times through energy savings. Taking full advantage of the exclusive AET Black Majic selective coating and unique energy distribution technology, the EagleSun achieves new levels of performance and efficiency.

The EagleSun 120 is a packaged, fully integrated residential hot water system designed for the energy-minded homeowner who wants both savings and leading-edge technology that contributes to a cleaner environment. The EagleSun 120 is delivered complete with AET collectors, a 120 gallon solar tank with heat exchanger, freeze-protected drainback design, and back-up heating element, making the system suitable for all climates.

System Features

• Fewer components for easy system installation.
• Maintenance free drainback design for all climate conditions.
• Works on sunny or cloudy days with electrical backup (included).
• Attractive collector design.
• Conforms to national plumbing, electrical, and solar standards.
• The only household appliance that will pay for itself several times during its useful life.
• Long life non-corroding reservoir.
• The collectors come with a limited 10 year Warranty and tanks come with a limited 6 year Warranty.
• Exceeds Energy Star criteria, delivers maximum credit toward Energy Efficient Compliance.

At the heart of these systems are the AE Collectors with their solid copper absorber plates. Efficient solar energy absorbers begin with high thermal conductivity between the fin and tube.

Forge weld crossection x-ray

The AET welding process actually makes the tube one with the fin and creates a joint at least two times wider than the thickness of the copper fin, resulting in a clean. uninterrupted heat path unlike any other.

AET absorbers have no soldered or crimped seam joints to weaken or fail. The forge welding actually strengthens the joint area, unlike other welding processes, such as ultrasonics, which causes a weakening of the fin around the joint area.

AET uses the world's finest solar selective coating on their absorbers. The revolutionary Black Majic coating was developed by AET as a collaborative effort working with Coating Industry Professionals from broad based backgrounds. Black Majic is environmentally benign and boasts an emissivity of approximately 0.10 and absorptivity of approximately 0.95 !!!

This premium absorber is encased in a solid extruded aluminum frame and covered by a sheet of durable, low iron, tempered glass. The collector plate is insulated from the aluminum frame by a layer of foil faced poly-isocyanurate foam on the sides and back. The foam, in turn, is protected in the rear by a layer of embossed aluminum. Finally the entire unit is gasketed all the way around by a high temperature silicone sealant.

These Indirect, or Closed Loop systems operate on conventional ac current using special Taco solar pumps. The solar pump is selected for its high head pumping characteristics. It is also very quiet, efficient, and reliable. It is protected from over-temperature (as a failsafe device) with a thermal high temperature shut-off switch. If this pump needs to be replaced after a few years of service, all moving parts are contained inside a replaceable cartridge. The outer pump body may be removed by unbolting the pump flanges, and the inner cartridge may be replaced without having to disturb any of the plumbing.

A Differential Temperature Controller (DTC) controls the pump. It is factory preset to turn the pump on when the collector temperature sensor is 16°F hotter than the storage tank sensor and is programmed to work automatically. The potable water in the insulated storage tank never touches nor mixes with the fluid in the collectors. The heated collector fluid is directed through the heat exchanger, which transfers heat from the collector loop fluid to the potable water in the solar tank.

Once the complete system is in place and plumbed, the final act is to simply plug in the controller line cord to a standard 115VAC wall outlet.

Drainback Systems

As the sun comes up in the morning, and starts to shine on the solar array, the collectors will begin to heat up. The thermal sensor on the collector signals the differential temperature controller which turns the pump on. The pump runs very quietly, so you may not notice when it is on and when it is off from the sound of the pump.

When the pump turns on, the return water from the solar collectors that accumulates in the drainback tank is pumped through the heat exchanger. Here the solar heat energy is transferred to the potable water within the solar storage tank. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the collector loop fluid to the potable water in the solar tank.

All solar systems require some form of freeze protection. The Drainback system uses the drainback method, in which the collectors and plumbing are drained of fluid when the outside temperature approaches freezing. When the temperature difference between the hot collector sensor and the storage tank sensor is less than 4°F, the controller turns off the pump and all the collector and plumbing fluid drains back into the drainback reservoir. Here it is stored safe from freezing until the temperature difference rises above 16°F again.

Sizing Your System

Sizing a solar water heater involves determining the total collector area and the storage volume required to provide 100% of your household's hot water during the summer.

Solar storage tanks are usually 50-, 60-, 80-, or 120-gallon capacity. A small (50 to 60 gallon) system is sufficient for 1 to 3 people, a medium (80-gallon) system is adequate for a 3- or 4-person household, and a large (120-gallon) system is appropriate for 4 to 6 people.

A rule of thumb for sizing collectors: allow about 20 square feet of collector area for each of the first two family members and 8 square feet for each additional family member if you live in the Sun Belt. Allow 12 to 14 additional square feet per person if you live in the northern United States.

A ratio of at least 1.5 gallons of storage capacity to 1 square foot of collector area prevents the system from overheating when the demand for hot water is low. In very warm, sunny climates, experts suggest that the ratio should be at least 2 gallons of storage to 1 square foot of collector area. For example, a family of four in a northern climate would need 20 square feet of collector area for the first person, 20 for the second person, 12 to 14 for the third person, and 12 to 14 for the fourth person. This equals 64 to 68 square feet, multiplied by 1.5 gallons of storage capacity, which equals 96 to 102 gallons of storage. Because you might not be able to find a 96-gallon tank, you may want to get a 120-gallon tank to be sure to meet your hot water needs.

The DB-120-96 Indirect (Closed Loop) System Includes:
Part#	Description	Quantity	Weight/ea
AE-32	4 X 8 Collector	3	113 lbs
AE-MH	Standard Mounting Hardware	3	2 lbs
TM-120HE-1	120 Gallon Storage Tank w/ Heat Exchanger	1	212 lbs
DTC	Differential Control w/ Sensors	1	3 lbs
CP-009F	TACO Cast Iron Solar Pump	1	10 lbs
110-251	TACO 3/4" Cast Iron Flange Set	1	3 lbs
BD-75	3/4" Boiler Drain	1	0.5 lbs
DB-10SSC	10 Gal S.S. Drainback Reservoir	1	24

 

Note: These systems are complete except for the piping and electrical cabling that connect the various components to eachother. You may also need a more elaborate mounting system than the simple flush mounting components that come with each system.

Plumbing Diagram

Mounting Hardware