SW-38 Solar Water Heater Panels

Not very efficient, and overpriced. I bought 4 of these panels to heat an 8 gallon tank and provide a radiator to heat the garage. I live in Nevada where the winter temps run in the teens. After I bought the panels, it came with a disclaimer, not to use in freezing weather. I had to drain the panels in the evenings to prevent tube damage. It did heat the tank to 120 degrees in the winter. however, the volume was too small to run the radiator and heat the garage. The tubing that runs through the panel is only 3/8 in. so it doesn't have a high throughput. The panels have held up with much pampering, but I would use a different method if I needed to heat water from the sun in the future.

These panels are only 24" X 24" not the size I would expect as it would cost a great deal to get a decent sized system up. May want to look at one of there kits depending where you are. At this size there is little insulation so some type of a drain back system would seem more suitable. twin glazing will almost always help so that is a plus. No efficiency ratting? I will update when I have had it up for a bit. The actual size(24" X 24")and efficiency should be noted on all solar equipment to give every one a fair idea of what they are getting do to the size difference and the way they talked a lot but gave no real info I gave a lower ratting. that being said if all was listed price/equipment I still could not have given over 4 stars.I am updating to 4 stars as the correct info is present now.

Fulfillment as advertised. SW37 appears to be exceptionally well constructed, notably a substantial aluminum frame with heavy duty mounting tabs and brass fittings for the plumbing. Importantly, the HELIATOS web site has connection instructions and a list of required parts. Using their information as a guide, my install incorporated PEX compression fittings and PVC TEES to cut into my RV's existing hot water system. I bought a circulating pump and a 1/2" brass check valve here on Amazon. Word to the wise, use a brass check valve. I broke two PVC check valves before switching to brass. The rest: PVC cutoff valves, a coupler, nipples, 3/8 PEX pipe, and 90 degree PEX compression fittings I found local. To hook up a single SW37 you will also need a couple of brass fittings, 3/8" compression to 3/8" flare. For me, putting it all together was a pain because of the tight space I had to work in. Bottom line: the HELIATOS SW37 Solar Water Heater Panel is a solid product, easy to mount, and easy to connect. On the other side, interface to your existing hot water system requires some homework.

wont produce much!!

These units are NOT for passive closed loop systems. A heat pump IS required. Having made that mistake, however, I must say the handling and return of all three was terrific! Re-packed and returned, the refund was quick and friendly. Even the shipping costs were refunded! The lack of any diagram or schematic had to be an oversight. And when I took one unit in to a passive solar plumber for instructions, she remarked on how well designed and constructed it was. Just not passive. So this little story is the reason for my rating. Good luck!

the panels work and are worth the price. The info at the vendor's site is not very clear as to the location of the inlet and outlet. The pictures are all the same.

For an RV these are, like their quality and workmanship, excellent. The propane water heater on most RV's are about 8 gallons, perfect size for one of Heliatos' solar water panels. In speaking with customer service I found them to be very friendly, highly knowledgeable and most helpful in offering prep installation advice. I definitely will be buying more of these (they fit anywhere you have small 2 ft x 2 ft clear spaces on your RV's roof) as my next project is to install the plastic pex tubing (available elsewhere on Amazon @ 300 ft/$75) in the floor for radiant heating. The beauty of these little solar water panels is you can add them, say, one a month without breaking the bank and by tying them into the water heater the propane is minimally used as an alternative backup power supply ( be sure to spray foam insulate the water heater tank!).

It was too small for what I needed it for. The flow rate was not what I expected. Probably not entirely the SW-37's fault