Wand now operates from the remaining heat.
My plumbing strategy was to disconnect the tube coming from the collectors as it enters the Wand and move it over to the input of the new heat exchanger. Then come out of the new unit and back into the Wand. This makes the flat plate HX the primary unit and the Wand now operates from the remaining heat.
I installed a “T” in the cold water line that feeds down into the bottom of the tank from the outside and put the new (red body) pump there so that it can pull water from the bottom of the tank and pump it through a flexible hose to the heat exchanger. I used a flex hose because the whole addition is really tight and I wanted the option of flexibility. I then plumbed the output from the heat exchanger right into the top of the tank. This particular tank has 2 ports on the sides and 2 on the top. So I had an unused cold inlet at the top that I could use. Strangely this port does not have a dip tube inside, which is actually ideal for my retrofit as I want the hot water to remain at the top.
I also added a second solar powered differential temperature controller that reads the temperature of the tube just before it enters the new heat exchanger and compares that to a sensor about 14″ from the top of the tank.
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I am very pleased with the performance of this upgrade. Now I am seeing temperatures over 110F at the end of a good sunny day, often over 116F. This is an average of 20 more degrees. Since our well water is about 65F at this time of year that is a 45-50F improvement for the water entering our propane water heater which is set at 115F. It is running much less often now for sure.
I have one more piece to add to this tomorrow, then it’s finished, the longest series yet, so thanks for your patience. If yupu havn’t already, please check out my web site at SHIFTING SOLUTIONS LLC to view this entire article as well as other projects I have post there. Once can easily create a life of sustainable living by implementing just a few of the suggestions listed here. From Home solar systems and other renewable energy systems such as building your own wind power generator, teaching your self how to build your own solar panels for home solar power or just reading books from the How tos to general information on green construction, much of it is there for you to browse.