Electric > solar geyser
29 September 2015, 08:10 AM
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Electric > solar geyser
I coudnt find the solar panel thread.
In their infinite wisdom zimbabwe government have decided to ban electric geyser ,like overnight, from next thursday ( along with other whizzes like raise import duties on vehicles ,again with little warning , 3x ) , possibly to save money
iv seen firms advertising they can convert your present electric to solar power , is it that complicated if you have the bits ??
i read they have to take tank back to their workshop .
Girlfriend only had geyser put in last year the original one was half inched ,through the roof, when the house was being built over ten years ago ....!
In their infinite wisdom zimbabwe government have decided to ban electric geyser ,like overnight, from next thursday ( along with other whizzes like raise import duties on vehicles ,again with little warning , 3x ) , possibly to save money
iv seen firms advertising they can convert your present electric to solar power , is it that complicated if you have the bits ??
i read they have to take tank back to their workshop .
Girlfriend only had geyser put in last year the original one was half inched ,through the roof, when the house was being built over ten years ago ....!
29 September 2015, 11:51 AM
#2
I can't understand why any sane person would persist in maintaining residence in such a basket-case country.
As for the technical feasability of switching or converting from one type of appliance to the other, it's unlikely anyone here has enough experience of Zimbabwean plumbing to comment.
As for the technical feasability of switching or converting from one type of appliance to the other, it's unlikely anyone here has enough experience of Zimbabwean plumbing to comment.
29 September 2015, 11:56 AM
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I can't understand why any sane person would persist in maintaining residence in such a basket-case country.
As for the technical feasability of switching or converting from one type of appliance to the other, it's unlikely anyone here has enough experience of Zimbabwean plumbing to comment.
As for the technical feasability of switching or converting from one type of appliance to the other, it's unlikely anyone here has enough experience of Zimbabwean plumbing to comment.
29 September 2015, 12:12 PM
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Plumbing same everywhere isn't 
Can more less guaranteed same as here though , except water gets turned off a lot.... like the electrîc
Can more less guaranteed same as here though , except water gets turned off a lot.... like the electrîc
Last edited by dpb; 29 September 2015 at 12:14 PM.
29 September 2015, 12:30 PM
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I can't understand why any sane person would persist in maintaining residence in such a basket-case country.
As for the technical feasability of switching or converting from one type of appliance to the other, it's unlikely anyone here has enough experience of Zimbabwean plumbing to comment.
As for the technical feasability of switching or converting from one type of appliance to the other, it's unlikely anyone here has enough experience of Zimbabwean plumbing to comment.
Just wait till labour gets back into power
29 September 2015, 02:20 PM
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No its just immersion heater tank afaik !
They don't trust gas , don't think its even available widely
They don't trust gas , don't think its even available widely
Last edited by dpb; 29 September 2015 at 02:21 PM.
02 October 2015, 06:53 PM
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http://thermotec.co.zw/index.php?mai...1c5531d5f69c10
I assume they just stick those panels up top and run pipes to the tank , with bit plumbing thrown in
I assume they just stick those panels up top and run pipes to the tank , with bit plumbing thrown in
03 October 2015, 09:12 AM
#13
Right, so for the sake of argument, let's say this is a fairly run of the mill electric immersion, so basically a big electric heating element submerged in a sealed metal cylinder-shaped tank. You're going to have two options to 'go solar'. Option 1, photo-voltaic panels on the roof, plus whatever inverter/controller kit is needed to bring their output up to mains level and feed it safely to your existing geyser. Option 2, 'solar thermal' or 'solar water heating' panels on the roof, plus all the associated pipe-work to feed it into the house, plus a new geyser (unless the old one can be re-purposed). Cost, ease of installation and overall desirability of either system will depend in large part on what's available on the market locally, both in terms of actual parts and know-how of installers (unless you're going to fit it yourself). More than likely though the PV option would be the least hassle and probably the cheapest.
03 October 2015, 09:34 AM
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Thanks for that .
I have a feeling its the second option that firm is advertising , either way big upheaval .
Their system still leaves electric option , which far as I can see is going to be outlawed
God only knows how the authorities can enforce this , essentially zesa cannot produce enough leccy.
http://www.mafaro.co.uk/2015/09/elec...an-in-zim.html
I have a feeling its the second option that firm is advertising , either way big upheaval .
Their system still leaves electric option , which far as I can see is going to be outlawed
God only knows how the authorities can enforce this , essentially zesa cannot produce enough leccy.
http://www.mafaro.co.uk/2015/09/elec...an-in-zim.html
03 October 2015, 10:37 AM
#15
Running enoughPV for that kind of load is going to be prohibitivley expensive also not forgetting that it stops working when it gets dark unless you install battery packs etc.
And also you try finding an electrician out there who could do it to a decent standard (not 3rd world country standards) is nigh on impossible.
You wantto use solar to heat a thermal store then you are storing the energy for use when ever you want for your DHW. Easier to set up, can probably be DIYed if you are quite savvy. Evven on a dull day you will still have enough hot water.
I'd run a couple of panels though on a PV array at 12v to run low voltage lighting etc, charge a few leisure batteries etc and you will have enough power for the lighting for evenings.... Having worked in 3rd world countries with this kind of system and installed my own in my place in st lucia, it is the best option. As you will also struggle for spares for PV. Over there.
And also you try finding an electrician out there who could do it to a decent standard (not 3rd world country standards) is nigh on impossible.
You wantto use solar to heat a thermal store then you are storing the energy for use when ever you want for your DHW. Easier to set up, can probably be DIYed if you are quite savvy. Evven on a dull day you will still have enough hot water.
I'd run a couple of panels though on a PV array at 12v to run low voltage lighting etc, charge a few leisure batteries etc and you will have enough power for the lighting for evenings.... Having worked in 3rd world countries with this kind of system and installed my own in my place in st lucia, it is the best option. As you will also struggle for spares for PV. Over there.
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