Message: 1
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:59:13 -0500 (US/)
From: "Howie Michaelson" <ho...@suncatchervt.com>
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Laing Solar Eco Pumps vs. El Sid
Message-ID:
<50860.71.169.178.212.1291064353.squir...@mail7.atypica.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
Hi All,
I'm looking for feedback on the Laing EcoCirc Pumps for use in closed
glycol PV driven SHW loops as well as closed loop off-grid hydronic
heating loops (24 vDC battery systems or 12 vDC stepped down).
Probably
the D5 is the pump I'd use, but I'm open to any and all feedback.
In particular, I'm looking for comparisons to El Sids. The Laings
appear
to have a stronger pump curve than the El Sids. I've used El Sids a
fair
amount for these applications and have had less than stellar
results, as
the El Sids often seem to have very short life spans. Dan F at El Sid
suggests that they blow up due to high voltages, although he claims
the 24
volt battery based pumps are good to 31 vDC and I've had them break at
much lower voltages. I've also run the B12 pumps on a converter
from BZ
Products which was voltage limited (to 15 volts) - supposedly a safe
voltage for the 12 volt battery based El Sid pumps (although Dan
inferred
at one point that voltage limited converters can have a higher voltage
spike at start-up. I haven't ordered any over the last couple of
years so
I don't know if anything has changed, as I got tired of replacing
them.
Anyone have experience with the Laings in these circumstances? Or any
similar or perhaps hopefully experience with the El Sids? At $2-300
a pop
for the El Sids, I'm feeling gun-shy about spec'ing them any more.
Thanks,
Howie
--
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer?
Sun Catcher, LLC
Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar & Wind Incentive Program Partner
http://www.SunCatcherVT.com
(cell) 802-272-0004
(home) 802-439-6096
Howie,
I have used half a dozen of the Laing D5 solar pumps over the last
several years, all in various PV-direct glycol loop configurations.
Several have been running continuously for 2 1/2 years with no
problems. I've also used the El-Sid pumps, and I have had good results
with them though I have basically stopped using them in favor of the
D5. I've been very pleased with the D5s, and they are quieter than the
El-Sids, which is an issue in some cases. The ability to sweat
directly to the pump body is also nice, as you don't have to worry
about thread sealing like on the El-Sid. I did have an issue with a
pump failure several years ago (Not the pump's fault-my customer
destroyed a pump by meddling with the system), and I wasn't too happy
with the Laing customer support people I talked with as I was trying
to get a replacement rotor. However, I might have just gotten the
wrong person at the wrong time.
That being said, I'd definitely recommend the Laing D5 over the El-Sid
for most situations.
Luke Christy
NABCEP Certified PV Installer™: Certification #031409-25 (Luke
Christy)
CoSEIA Certified PV Installer (Luke Christy)
Solar Gain Services, LLC
Monte Vista, CO.
sgsrenewab...@gmail.com
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