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from: Jason Hochstein
to: toddharrison@cox.net

date: Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 2:49 PM
subject: Pipes

Question...

Todd,

I`m looking to build one of your grill based pool heaters and wanted to run my plan by you....
I plan to use about 100-120 ft of pipe in my grill (basically fill the available space with a little
headroom.
I was thinking of using 1/2" type M pipe and manifolding the ends to provide 3 paths for the water.
(and using 3/4" for the manifold ends)
The water source would be one of three jets in the pool (1 hp pump)

Do you think I need to use type L (medium wall) instead of type M (thin wall)?
Do you think I will have enough/too much water flow? I would think that 6 gpm would be minimum. (my
pool volume is 14,000 gal but I shouldn`t have to heat that much living in Florida.)

Thanks for your advice.

Jason





from: Todd Harrison
to: Jason Hochstein

date: Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 3:53 PM
subject: Re: Pipes

Jason,

4~6gpm will be fine, never to fast so don`t be concerned there. You
will be just fine with M. It will take about 5 days to heat your pool
with the grill. But go ahead and build the coils and if you ever want
to heat really really fast just do like I did by getting some big pot
burns and build a box, open on the top and bottom.
http://www.redneckpoolheater.com/more/2008-04-28_Cajun_Redneck_Pool_Heater/index.html
Some others have done this too but built the box out of bricks instead
of steal tread plate like I did. The real key is to have lots and
lots of BTUs with as much water as you get get through the coils.
Good luck and send photos to post on my "more photos" site.

Todd





from: Jason Hochstein
to: Todd Harrison

date: Wed, May 27, 2009 at 5:08 AM
subject: Re: Pipes

Final result
5.2gpm
9deg rise in temp
23,600 btu/hr delivered
45,000 btu/hr source
52% efficient





from: Todd Harrison
to: Jason Hochstein

date: Sat, May 30, 2009 at 10:55 AM
subject: Re: Pipes

That looks GOOD! How is it working? It`s slow for sure but if your pool is not too big it will get
the job done.
I have some older photos to post on my site of others that have also created a redneck pool heater.
I`m on vaction right now but hope to get time to upload the photos soon. I will drop you a line
when I get them uploaded. Is there anything you would like to add to the post?

Todd




from: Jason Hochstein
to: Todd Harrison

date: Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 7:28 AM
subject: RE: Pipes

You can add this to the post:

5.2 gpm (using pool pump running at 20 psi.)
45,000 BTU/hr grill
23,600 BTU/hr into the water
The coils are made with 1/2 in pipe.
The ends are manifolded with 3/4 in pipe to make 3 separate coils for increased flow.
Estimating about 130 linear feet of pipe used.





from: Todd Harrison
to: Jason Hochstein

date: Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 9:21 AM
subject: Re: Pipes

Great!, any numbers on the pool size and number of days to heat to a swimming temp





from: Jason Hochstein
to: Todd Harrison

date: Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 6:40 AM
subject: RE: Pipes


The pool size is 14,000 gallons. I only use it occasionally to supplement so I don`t have good data on
time to heat.
However, one can extrapolate from the 23,600btu/hr into the 14,000 gals and calculate the time based on
how much heat they want to add.

Thanks,
Jason Hochstein