I posted the in the introduction area of the forum but figured I'd repeat the questions here. hello I have some questions on drain down or back, hot water systems. Been off grid since 83 and need to redesign my radiant floor system as a drain back or down which ever is the current buzz. We built our own passive/ active solar adobe dream house starting in about 85. We have 2 kw pv system on three zomeworks trackers and some on the roof. I have 384 square feet of copper w/aluminum absorber plates. They were put in a radiant floor system during construction of our house. I'm life long musician and knew nothing of building. So mistakes were made along the way. I have a leak in one or more of the zones. When I get that in order I need to convert to drain back and just water or possible with some additives to keep the pump happy. The risers in the collectors are half inch. Headers are 1.5 inches. I can raise or lower one end of each of the three arrays to achieve the proper slope in the sends and returns for proper drainage. I have a quite a bit of old epdm solaroll tubing under or slabs and floors. 3/16ths id. I don't know if all this tubing should be part of the pump head calculations or not. I sorta remember they do matter. Maybe it's just wishful thinking.
I am unsure about the location of the pump in relation to the storage tank. Also the size I might need. I have plenty of grade differential to accommodate proper drainage and tank location. I do not under stand how a closed system could ever drain itself. The little I know suggests the at some part the departing water would develop a vacuum behind as it tried to leave the risers. So I have much to learn.
I look forward to meeting some of you.
Ron
I am unsure about the location of the pump in relation to the storage tank. Also the size I might need. I have plenty of grade differential to accommodate proper drainage and tank location. I do not under stand how a closed system could ever drain itself. The little I know suggests the at some part the departing water would develop a vacuum behind as it tried to leave the risers. So I have much to learn.
I look forward to meeting some of you.
Ron
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