Plumbing question - hooking a solar heater into an above ground pool ??

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Plumbing question - hooking a solar heater into an above ground pool ??

markoneswift

35 posts

Geek

#157504 3-Dec-2014 09:49

Hey everyone, I'm trying to get a little project off the ground and I need some advice please ......

Basically, I've got an Intex above ground metal frame pool with a powerful sand filter pump. It uses large bore pipework ( inch and a half I think ). I've made some pipe coils to act as solar collectors from black irrigation poly pipe and connected all those together.

The thing I'm struggling with is how to connect the irrigation tube to the pvc pipework of the pool. I thought about using a barb connector to connect garden hose to the poly pipe, but then how would I connect the garden hose to the pvc pool pipework ? Do adapters exist to connect hose to pvc ( ie a pvc tap connector ) because that would be ideal.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts / suggestions on this, it's doing my head in lol

DarthKermit

5346 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3317

Trusted

#1187716 3-Dec-2014 09:57

You should be able to find some suitable adapters. Most different types of plumbing systems have adapters to connect to other types.

It sounds to me like you need a PVC tee in your system with a connection to the black poly pipe.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

markoneswift

35 posts

Geek

#1187737 3-Dec-2014 10:20

Yep, that would be my starting point for sure. A tee piece with a tap thread would be ideal, then I can simply screw my garden hose to it like screwing it onto an outdoor tap.

Can anyone suggest a good place for pipe bits and pieces - I find Mitre 10 / Bunnings a bit limited ??

Thanks :-)

notesgnome

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 91

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1187742 3-Dec-2014 10:32

There is an alternative (although I don't know if it would be useful in your particular situation).

The pool pump can be quite a powerful thing, and may be unsuitable for pushing water round your solar heater (pressure, joins in pipes, etc).

You may want to think about a separate pump (albeit with a collection pipe within the pool) just running round the solar heater. You can then have the warm return water entering the pool at a different location if wanted.

I understand that a neat solution might be preferable. Just a thought to keep in mind.

DarthKermit

5346 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3317

Trusted

#1187746 3-Dec-2014 10:34

markoneswift: Yep, that would be my starting point for sure. A tee piece with a tap thread would be ideal, then I can simply screw my garden hose to it like screwing it onto an outdoor tap.

Can anyone suggest a good place for pipe bits and pieces - I find Mitre 10 / Bunnings a bit limited ??

Thanks :-)

Try a local plumbing supplies store. They have a much more extensive range than those other guys.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

markoneswift

35 posts

Geek

#1187800 3-Dec-2014 11:09

notesgnome: There is an alternative (although I don't know if it would be useful in your particular situation).

The pool pump can be quite a powerful thing, and may be unsuitable for pushing water round your solar heater (pressure, joins in pipes, etc).

You may want to think about a separate pump (albeit with a collection pipe within the pool) just running round the solar heater. You can then have the warm return water entering the pool at a different location if wanted.

I understand that a neat solution might be preferable. Just a thought to keep in mind.

Yep, that is certainly an option although I have already tried it out somewhat unsuccessfully. I bought a submersible pump and chucked it in a bucket of fresh water to try it out - it worked well, really powerful, but it also electrified the water !!! Obviously a faulty unit, but it put me off the idea of having a device in the pool itself. I would also like to avoid two lots of electrical consumption if possible.

I'm thinking that maybe if I tap into the pool pump output, I could fit a valve to limit the flow into the poly pipe coils - basically just bypass a small amount of the total pump output round the coils...

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 555

#1188644 4-Dec-2014 13:55

I'd be keen on some photos of this setup, I was chatting with my wife yesterday about doing the same thing for our kids pool.
You might want some sort of valve that allows you to bypass the solar heating circuit though, that way if it gets too hot you can shut it off so as not to broil your children :-)

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

nickb800

2735 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 829

Trusted

#1188663 4-Dec-2014 14:28

A full size bunnings warehouse should have what you need

In the plumbing section you'll find PVC fittings e.g http://www.bunnings.co.nz/our-range/bathroom-plumbing/plumbing/pvc-pipe-fittings/pvc-pressure

Step the PVC down to a 20mm male thread, and whack one of these on to connect to your irrigation tubing http://www.bunnings.co.nz/pope-nut-tail-20x-13mm-bsp_p00227060

Wouldn't worry about pressure bursting the irrigation pipe, as long as you clamp any barbed joiners (I get cheap metal hose clamps instead of the flimsy plastic irrigation clamps)

DarthKermit

5346 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3317

Trusted

#1188722 4-Dec-2014 15:15

You're supposed to use a special solvent cement with pressure pipe fittings. Bunnings sell the stuff.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

Jeeves

301 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 90

#1188723 4-Dec-2014 15:18

You need to be careful though. The pump is likely to be specifically designed for your pool and its fitting. If you add a big restriction such as a step down to a poly pipe it might cause a strain on your pump due to the increased pressure.
Is your solar collector above the pool, like on a roof etc? If so then you will need to factor in the head height in addition to the restrictions.

MikeSkyrme

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 37

Trusted

#1188737 4-Dec-2014 15:27

Jeeves: You need to be careful though. The pump is likely to be specifically designed for your pool and its fitting. If you add a big restriction such as a step down to a poly pipe it might cause a strain on your pump due to the increased pressure.
Is your solar collector above the pool, like on a roof etc? If so then you will need to factor in the head height in addition to the restrictions.

Correct. A pump should run within a pre-defined pressure (and therefore flow) curve. By adding more pipe (friction = losses) and restrictions (more losses) you have changed the system properties.

Not saying it can't be done, just be careful with your pump.

Michael Skyrme - Instrumentation & Controls