Home
JAQForum Ver 24.01
Log In or Join  
Active Topics
Local Time 03:39 22 Nov 2024 Privacy Policy
Jump to

Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.

Forum Index : Solar : evacuated solar hot water tubes (thermal grease, when to change?)

Author Message
rgormley
Senior Member

Joined: 22/02/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 245
Posted: 05:13am 15 Dec 2023
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

i installed a 15 tube evacuated solar hot water tube heater
been working great 13 years now

my question is where the copper tips go into the manifold with the thermal transfer grease, how often does this thermal grease need to be cleaned of and replied.

i have not pulled a tube out and looked so i don`t know what condition the grease is in?

any ideas?

Cheers,
Richard

picture of the tubes in the manifold (yes i did install lagging on the copper joins)
 
Godoh
Guru

Joined: 26/09/2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 453
Posted: 12:41am 16 Dec 2023
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

HI Richard, I have a solar hot water system. It uses twin walled glass tubes with a tank attached. I recently moved mine to a better place on our roof.
I tried to remove the tubes but they seemed pretty fixed in place by the rubber grommets. Rather than create leaks I just moved the whole system as on piece.
I would think that the rubber grommets on your system would be similarly tight on the glass.
I have seen heatsink compound go dry and hard over time, unfortunately I don't have an answer to that question.
I would go with , if it is working leave it.
Pete
 
rgormley
Senior Member

Joined: 22/02/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 245
Posted: 02:07am 16 Dec 2023
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

i don’t think i will create any leaks as such by removing a tube as my system uses a header/manifold system,  (1 litre manifold and a pump to a lower 200litre holding tank) and the tips of the tubes just poke into the copper jackets where the thermal paste hopefully is still there and doing it`s job

I do have 4 spare tubes, so if i do venture into looking at the condition of the thermal paste and i break a tube, i can replace it.


but barring any other ideas from others.... yeah it isn’t broke done fix it!!

Cheers,
Richard
 
Print this page


To reply to this topic, you need to log in.

© JAQ Software 2024