Model SRY-002-2 Solar PV Lighting Kit

The Model SRY-002-2 is a further enhanced version of the Model SRY-002-1 Solar Lighting Kits and consists of two LED lights, a mobile phone charger & a separate battery charging compartment where rechargeable batteries can be charged for use in separate portable radios or torches. 
The larger Solar PV Panel consists of a 9V/2.5W solar module with a 5M cable that provides flexibility in being able to suitably locate the Solar Panel to maximise the solar input during the daylight hours, and still have enough length in the cable to extend the light to a point where it can be best utilized.  The Solar PV module has a life cycle of approximately 10 years.  The inbuilt controller provides protection against over-charging and over-discharging and also includes short-circuit protection.    The battery pack consists of 5pieces of AA size x 1800mAH NI-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries that are housed in a strong UV stabilized, heat resistant ABS plastic material for durability and longer life.   The LED Lamps that are supplied with the kit consists of 2 x 9V lamps with each having 18 Light Emitting Diodes (LED) together with a 4M cable.  A Mobile phone Charger connection in the battery pack allows direct mobile phone charging and several different types of plugs are supplied with the kit to cover most popular types of mobile phones.

In addition the Model SRY-002-2 has a separate compartment provided in the front of the ABS battery pack where two (2) 600mAH NI-MH rechargeable batteries, that are supplied with the kit can be charged during the daylight period as well.   These batteries can be used in a suitable flashlight or a portable radio.    After the solar PV module has been charged for between 6-8 hours there are three brightness setting options that can be used for the LED light.   The three settings will offer the following performance based upon both LED Lamps operating at the same time: Maximum Brightness for around 7 hours, Energy Saving mode for around 18 hours, and Low Brightness mode for approximately 45 hours of operation.   The Model SRY-002-2 instruction manual is available in English and French and dependent upon quantities other languages are available as well.   Each Kit weighs approximately 1.15 kilograms and is packed in a strong packaging box measuring 280mm x 210mm x 550mm.   Standard Packs comprise of 10 pieces per carton which measures 450mm x 310mm x 310mm and has a gross weight of 12.5 Kg.

By Mel Peatey

High Temperature Heat Pumps

High Temperature Heat Pump

The Metran High Temperature Air Source Heat Pumps transfer heat from the ambient air to water, providing high-temperature hot water up to 80°C. The unique high-temperature heat pump is widely used for house warming in the cooler climates as well as Commercial/Industrial applications, particularly in the tropical zones of the World.  With innovative & advanced direct heating technology, the heat pump can operate very well at ambient temperatures as low as 0℃ whilst still being able to generate high output temperatures of up to 80℃.  This ensures compatibility with normal sized radiator, based systems without the need for any supplementary energy source. Compared with traditional Diesel fuel or LPG boilers, the high-temperature heat pump can produce up to 50% less CO2 whilst saving up to 80% in operating costs.  The Metran High Temperature Heat Pumps are not only highly efficient, but are also easy and safe to operate.

Intelligent Digital Controller

The high temperature delivery from this new design of Air to Water Heat Pumps is achieved by using a combination of high efficiency American Copeland scroll compressors, environmentally safe R134a refrigerant, electrically activated expansion valves, larger evaporator design and specially designed high efficiency tube in shell heat exchangers.  A user friendly intelligent digital controller with blue LED back lighting is incorporated with the Heat Pump unit to easily adjust temperature setting to suit any application.  The electrical compartment is provided in a separate, isolated compartment to avoid internal corrosion and subsequently contributing to extending the operational life cycle of the Heat Pump unit.
In all cases each project design, followed by the correct High Temperature Heat Pump model selection is critical in order to maintain the required performance criteria and the durability of the system.  In addition, installation recommendations of clear, unobstructed minimum space clearances around the Heat Pump systems must be observed in order to maximize the performance and minimize the operating costs.  It is also advisable to mount the Heat Pump(s) on a solid concrete foundation and using shockproof bushes at the anchor points to maintain stability of the system, and reduce noise and vibration that may eventually contribute to damage of plumbing the connections. 

By Mel Peatey  

Model SRY-002-1 Lighting Kit

 The Model SRY-002-1 is a slightly enhanced version of the basic Model SRY-001E lighting Kit and consists of one LED light, a mobile phone charger & a separate battery charging compartment where rechargeable batteries can be charged for use in separate portable radios or torches.
The Solar PV Panel consists of a 9V/1.5W solar module with a 5M cable that provides flexibility in being able to suitably locate the Solar Panel to maximise the solar input during the daylight hours, and still have enough length in the cable to extend the light to a point where it can be best utilized.  The Solar PV module has a life cycle of approximately 10 years and is warranted for 5 years.  The inbuilt controller provides protection against over-charging and over-discharging and also includes short-circuit protection.    The battery pack consists of 5pieces of AA size x 1000mAH NI-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries that are housed in a strong UV stabilized, heat resistant ABS plastic material for durability and longer life.   The LED Lamp that is supplied with the kit is a 1piece x 9V with 18 Light Emitting Diodes (LED) together with a 4M cable.  A Mobile phone Charger connection in the battery pack allows direct mobile phone charging and several different types of plugs are supplied with the kit to cover most popular types of mobile phones.

In addition the Model SRY-002-1 has a separate compartment provided in the front of the ABS battery pack where two (2) 600mAH NI-MH rechargeable batteries, that are supplied with the kit can be charged during the daylight period as well.   These batteries can be used in a flashlight or a portable radio.    After the solar PV module has been charged for between 6-8 hours there are three brightness setting options that can be used for the LED light.   The three settings will offer the following performance: maximum brightness around 6 hours, energy saving mode around 12 hours, and low brightness mode approximately 50 hours of operation.   The Model SRY-002-1 instruction manual is available in English and French and dependent upon quantities other languages are available as well.   Each Kit weighs approximately one kilogram and is packed in a strong packaging box measuring 245mm x 195mm x 510mm.   Standard Packs comprise of 10 pieces per carton which measures 410mm x 280mm x 255mm and has a gross weight of around11 Kg.

By Mel Peatey.

Multi-Function Heat Pumps

Multi-Function Heat Pump

The Multi-Function Heat Pump is a patented product with multi-usage functions.  They use a suitably sized Heat Pump module to deliver hot water, via an insulated storage tank as well as cooling (air conditioning), via a small buffer tank from one split type Heat Pump module.  
The use of energy efficient Japanese brand Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and Sanyo rotary or scroll compressors, depending upon the product capacity needed, as well as two (2) separate high efficiency plate heat exchangers, this combination significantly improves the energy efficiency to the point where the combined Coefficient of Performance (COP) for the heating and the cooling functions can be as high as seven (7) which represents an energy saving of 700% when compared to the electrical energy that would be consumed by separate electrical hot water system and air conditioners delivering the same volume of cool air and the same volume of hot water each day.  Whilst the electricity tariff supplied by the local utilities in any Region will still be the same the “effective” tariff would be 7 times less to deliver the same performance due to the efficiency of the combined Multi-Function Heat Pump Units.  For example if the actual tariff was the equivalent of US $0.12 cents per kWh then the “effective” tariff would be approximately US $0.02 cents per kWh.

Multi-Function Heat Pump - Operation Schematic

The built-in circulating pumps are the World renowned and reliable Wilo brand and they provides automatic water level control, and automatic water pressure controls.   The Multi-Function Heat Pumps also have inbuilt hot water flow and air flow controls, compressor exhaust temperature protection as well as automatic defrost and load adjusting controls.  By using the high efficiency rotary or scroll compressors as well as low noise fans, the actual overall noise levels remain low.  Side fan or vertical fan discharge units are available as options.  LCD or LED touch screen controllers simplify the various settings to suit each individual installation with cooling water temperatures as low as 7°C and hot water temperatures of up to 60°C.  The Metran Multi-Function Heat Pump units are capable of operating in all weather conditions and ambient temperatures of between -15°C and +45°C.

By Mel Peatey

Solar Thermal Panels and Heat Pumps Hybrid Systems

Figure 1

The addition of solar thermal panels in conjunction with Heat Pumps to form a hybrid system certainly does have the capability of creating a complete energy efficient solution for any hot water installation regardless of volume requirements.   Solar thermal panels will contribute their maximum free “solar” energy only during the daylight hours when the sun is shining brightly and without any cloud cover.   Air to water Heat Pumps on the other hand will continue to contribute free “solar generated” energy from the air during the daytime, rainy or cloudy periods, as well as night time.  Another point to consider is that air to water Heat Pumps will operate at optimum efficiency and therefore contribute the maximum level of free “solar generated” energy during the same periods of the day as the solar thermal panels which is, during the highest ambient temperature periods of each day.   Therefore when solar thermal panels are used in conjunction with Heat Pumps in a hybrid system the “actual” achievable saving in energy will be reduced because both systems enjoy a “positive” COP.  When the Solar thermal panels are contributing the maximum amount of free “solar” energy, the Heat Pumps will also be contributing the maximum amount of free “solar generated” energy from the air.

Figure 1: above shows a typical layout with solar thermal panels connected with Heat pumps. The daily energy contributed by solar thermal panels can be calculated by using the following formula:

kW = Collector area x Collector efficiency x Average Daily Radiation (Mj/m²) ÷ 3.6

Figure 2

In addition, solar thermal panels actually lose efficiency as the water temperature rises as shown in the chart - Figure 2.  For a good quality solar thermal panel operating in the highest instantaneous solar radiation conditions it can be seen that the efficiency at a point where the temperature difference between the solar panel and the ambient temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius the efficiency is approximately 75%.  If we select as an example the average daily radiation of 17.56 Mj/m² per day for Manila Philippines the equation would be:

 kW      = 1m² x 0.75 x 17.56 Mj/m² ÷ 3.6

            = 3.66 kW/m² per day of available solar collector aperture area.

Therefore, during the maximum energy collection period for the solar thermal panels they will contribute approximately 3.66 kW of energy for every one square metre of collector aperture area that is installed.  In the same location (Manila - Philippines) during the same period & same climatic conditions that has been used to assess the solar thermal panels, the Heat Pumps would also be operating efficiently and producing a COP of approximately 3.8 to 4. 
Then assuming that the solar collector panels were NOT installed as part of the hybrid system and only the Heat Pumps were required to contribute the total energy requirement during that same period.  The 3.66 kW/m² per day of “free” energy contributed by the solar thermal panels would only require approximately 0.96 kW of energy to be “consumed” by the Heat Pump to produce 3.66 kW of output using a COP of 3.8 for the Heat Pumps.  However, in the location of Manila – Philippines during the peak high ambient temperature periods the COP for the Heat Pumps may even be around 4 of higher which would result in even less energy to be “consumed” in order to produce 3.66 kW of heating output.  Therefore, the lower calculated energy consumption, for the Heat Pumps that would be required to produce the same heating output as the solar thermal panels becomes the “actual” or real amount of energy saving that should be used to calculate the ROI or payback in relation to the cost of supplying and installing the solar thermal panels in a hybrid system with Heat Pumps.

By: Mel Peatey.

Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pumps

The Air to Water Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pumps are available in both vertical and horizontal air discharge options.   Depending upon the installation location there are also options for the outer casings of the Swimming Pool Heat Pumps namely; powder coated steel, UV stabilized ABS or stainless steel.   The main feature or “heart” of the Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pump is the patented titanium heat exchanger.  Without an effective and durable heat exchanger a swimming pool heat pump will become ineffective in a very short period of time due to the rapid deterioration of incompatible components.  For example; the advantage of the titanium heat exchanger over a cuprous nickel alloy heat exchanger is that it is not susceptible to the highly corrosive chemicals (particularly high levels of chlorine) that are generally present in all swimming pools and spas.  The external casing component of the titanium heat exchanger is a fully molded non-corrosive, high impact strength material that can withstand high water pressures as well to ensure durability and maximum performance of the complete Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pump at all times.

Scroll compressors are used because they have 50% fewer moving parts than standard piston type compressors. This equates to greatly improved reliability and improved efficiency as well as reducing noise levels to a minimum.   The Digitally-based microprocessor can control water temperature to within 1ºC of the set point.  The controller also permits the user to pre-set different pool and spa water temperatures and it can also prevent unauthorized tampering by the use of locking controls via a Celsius control key.  The versatility of the Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pump is again demonstrated by its capability to heat and cool a swimming pool or spa in different climatic conditions.  This allows the operator to have full control all year round.   The Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pump can warm your pool or spa with the reliability and efficiency of our other heat pumps, but with the flip of a switch, it can also cool your pool or spa to refreshing temperatures during hot summer months. For cooler climates, heating & cooling heat pumps offer unique advantages over the passive defrost models.

The Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pumps are also hot gas defrost heat pumps that are uniquely equipped for an active defrost cycle.   Active defrost involves directing hot refrigerant vapor to the heat collector thereby melting accumulated ice away in a matter of a few minutes and then allowing the heat pump to return back to normal heating cycle.  Standard defrost heat pumps may remain off for extended periods when defrosting during very cold weather.  However, because of the hot gas defrost function on the Metran Swimming Pool Heat Pump it has the ability to continue to operate-even during freezing weather.  Hot gas defrost models will extend the swimming season longer than any standard-defrost heat pump.  A large variety of Models are available ranging from 4 kW heating output right through to 149 kW heating output which will ensure a suitably sized product can be selected from the calculation chart for any project.

By Mel Peatey

Solar Lantern Lighting Kit

The Solar Powered Lantern is a lighting system that consists of 28pieces including an LED lamp, battery and controller all placed in a strong metallic housing and ABS plastic as well as a solar panel and a AC/DC adapter.  The battery is charged by two methods:
1.    By electricity generated through the solar panel
2.    By the AC/DC Adapter that is supplied with the kit.
The lantern is basically a portable lighting device suitable for either indoor or outdoor lighting covering a full range of 360 degrees.
The product features adjustable lighting modes where the setting can be “strong” to an “energy saving” setting   The “energy saving” setting has a brightness of approximately half the maximum brightness strength but this setting will allow the lights to operate for a longer period during the night time.
In addition, there is a DC output for mobile phone charging, which is suitable for any type mobile phone. The complete unit is compact and light weight, as well as being easy and convenient to use.

The product is suitable for outdoor campers, hunters, hikers, boat cabin lighting, vehicle roadside emergency lighting, recreational vehicle cabin lighting, earthquakes and hurricane emergency kits.  Indoor applications include home lighting in rural regions where the power supply is irregular or scarce and also in urban areas as backup lighting during power cuts as well as for mobile phone charging during these periods.

By Mel Peatey