Having warm water for showering and washing dishes while at anchor for an extended period can be a luxury for the cruising sailor. We at Custom Marine Products have come up with an easy and convenient solution; heating water using radiant energy from the sun.
Here's how it works:
Solar panels get quite warm on sunny days. The back of a solar panel tilted toward the sun may reach 140° F. Mounting a heat exchanger (collector) to the back of the solar panel enables the collection of radiant heat passing through the back of the solar panel. Circulating water from the water heater through the heat exchanger heats the water in the water heater. The water heater becomes a heat storage vessel. Water is circulated using a low draw circulation pump designed for this purpose so very little electrical energy is consumed. The circulating water actually cools the solar panel thus increasing power generation efficiency.
You no longer need to run your engine at anchor to heat water.
Heat water to 110° F+ using radiant energy from the sun.
Kits are available for all CMP rigid panels and many other brands
Kits for CMP panels include: heat collector, insulation, panel backing, pump, tubing, thermostat.
Installation:
Tee's are plumbed into the water system at the intake and output pipes of the water heater. Valves are then attached to the Tee's. Flexible hose is run from one valve to the circulation pump then from the pump to the heat exchanger mounted to the solar panel. Another flexible hose is run from the heat exchanger to the other valve. An on/off switch is installed to turn the circulation pump on and off. See diagram above.
RADIANT SOLAR WATER HEATER INSTALLATION MANUAL
Design Considerations
Here's how it works:
Solar panels get quite warm on sunny days. The back of a solar panel tilted toward the sun may reach 140° F. Mounting a heat exchanger (collector) to the back of the solar panel enables the collection of radiant heat passing through the back of the solar panel. Circulating water from the water heater through the heat exchanger heats the water in the water heater. The water heater becomes a heat storage vessel. Water is circulated using a low draw circulation pump designed for this purpose so very little electrical energy is consumed. The circulating water actually cools the solar panel thus increasing power generation efficiency.
You no longer need to run your engine at anchor to heat water.
Heat water to 110° F+ using radiant energy from the sun.
Kits are available for all CMP rigid panels and many other brands
Kits for CMP panels include: heat collector, insulation, panel backing, pump, tubing, thermostat.
Installation:
Tee's are plumbed into the water system at the intake and output pipes of the water heater. Valves are then attached to the Tee's. Flexible hose is run from one valve to the circulation pump then from the pump to the heat exchanger mounted to the solar panel. Another flexible hose is run from the heat exchanger to the other valve. An on/off switch is installed to turn the circulation pump on and off. See diagram above.
RADIANT SOLAR WATER HEATER INSTALLATION MANUAL
Design Considerations
- Solar heater can be integrated directly into your boat’s water system.
- Heat collector is mounted behind the solar panel.
- Boat water heater is used for storage of warmed water.
- Highly efficient circulating pump moves water from the solar heat collector to your water heater.
- Circulation pump can be turned on and off manually.
- Easy DIY installation.
- Solar panel is tilted and rotated for maximum heating efficiency.