Bad tank

[GJCJ]

Hi there. I have a solar preheat water heater system, and the tank is bad. I have gotten some insane quotes around 5500 to 8000 usd. I found that I can buy the tank for about 1400. If I am just replacing the tank, and converting the connections to the tank from the roof to pex, it should just be as easy as cutting the lines, and reinserting onto the new tank. (pictures attached) I shouldn't have to cut anything other than below all of the pumps/valves etc. Am I going about this correctly, or is there something else? I can't seem to find any videos on this type of install. Thank you.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO4UXzUND4a9vl3SW24Ky6PFF-fYuKmRZVtHlX2
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO4UXzUND4a9vl3SW24Ky6PFF-fYuKmRZVtHlX2

 

[RCinFLA]

It is hard to tell from pictures what you have, but if you inject preheated water into a standard electric water heater input port you will have temp shock stress on the enamel coating at bottom of tank causing it to develop cracks in coating allowing water to corrode and rust out the steel tank in about 12 to 24 months.

You can modify the input pipe to block off bottom and create several side flow ports near bottom of input pipe to direct the hot water sideways instead of straight down at bottom of tank.

 

[GJCJ]

Thanks for the reply! The solar company installed this entire system about 11 years ago. Here is a pic with the system explanation. The only thing having problems is a small leak at the "hot from solar on roof connection" I thought if I just "make cuts here" then connect back to the new water heater tank(which is the same model as here). It uses water, not a chemical in the solar pipes on the roof, so it seems like I can just cut it, and hook up the new one like it is now. I was told this is not a standard electric water heater. Maybe they told me incorrectly, but this one has been fine for 11 years. Thanks again.

 

[Quattrohead]

Looks like a standard hot water tank to me. Why not replace it with a hybrid unit and do away with the solar water heating?

 

[green mountain boys]

It is hard to tell from pictures what you have, but if you inject preheated water into a standard electric water heater input port you will have temp shock stress on the enamel coating at bottom of tank causing it to develop cracks in coating allowing water to corrode and rust out the steel tank in about 12 to 24 months.

You can modify the input pipe to block off bottom and create several side flow ports near bottom of input pipe to direct the hot water sideways instead of straight down at bottom of tank.

Wouldn't there be a diffuser at the end of the cold supply line inside the tank to prevent mixing of the water? My 35 year old 80 gallon tank has this. If it is there, I would think this would prevent what you are describing.

 

[GJCJ]

Looks like a standard hot water tank to me. Why not replace it with a hybrid unit and do away with the solar water heating?

That is a good idea! It looks like the savings would be very similar to a solar, easier to install, and still gets the 30% tax credit this year. Also, won't have to worry about the pumps in the future. Would you just drain and cap the current collector and install the hybrid? Would you recommend any hybrid tanks in particular? Would you pex to install or copper? Lastly, this will be installed in a garage, which is hot 6 months of the year, so this seems like it might be very efficient because of the hot air, and maybe as a bonus get a little cool air output? Thanks

 

[Quattrohead]

I have a 50 gallon Rheem tank, had it for 2 years now and no issues. It uses about 400W running and we are averaging about 1.5kWh per day.
Yes it cools and dehumidifies the garage just a little bit.
I think plumbing requirements are PEX must be 18" from the tank, so copper to PEX.