Which Ebay solar heater would you buy?

[Trick]

Wifie is making me order solar heaters... so far these are my 2 options. (If you have others I should consider please post them.)

1.) http:// http://www.ebay.com/itm/XLong-Inground-Above-Ground-56-x20-Solar-Energy-Swimming-Pool-Sun-Heater-Panel-/371295952914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5672f6a012

2.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/48-x-20-Inground-Above-Ground-Pool-Solar-Panel-Pool-Heater-80-Sq-Ft-4-x-20-/371300297714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item567338ebf2

I would think they are both relatively the same, ones 56" vs. 48", biggers always better?

 

[pooldv]

I am happy with mine. Details in sig, and pics in build thread. Yes, more surface area means more heat.

 

[f3justusc]

Bigger is better for solar!

 

[Isaac-1]

As others have said, bigger is better, it is all about surface area, and to provide effective heating you need solar heater panels at least equal to 50% of the surface area of your pool. Otherwise it is a bit like trying to heat a house with a plug in cube heater.

As to these ebay solar panels, I consider them ok for seasonal pools where they will be stored in the off season in a climate controlled location, I also view them as semi-disposable, if you get more than 3-4 years out them them consider yourself lucky. To a degree this is a matter of you get what you pay for, but beyond a certain price point you are paying for the 10-15-20 year warranty.

Ike

p.s. pooldv, the Techno-Solis panels, are a lot more beefy than these ebay panels. A 4x12 techno-solis panel has a dry weight of 29 pounds, or another way about .6 pounds per sq ft dry. I suspect these panels are around half as heavy, which is the approximate weight of the 20 ft x30 inch Eco-Saver panels on Amazon

 

[Trick]

I did figure these to be somewhat disposable. 80sq.ft for $175 is cheap cheap.

You could not make a system yourself for that price. I have a 4x8 cpvc solar panel project I started but set aside for a number of reasons, but cost compared to these Ebay solar panels was one of them.