Product Summary and Comparison
The Navicular Solar system uses standard marine water heaters and can heat a small water tank in strong sunlight from 75 to 105 F in 1.5 hours, 75 to 120 F in 2.5 hours and to 140 F over the course of the day. The system was designed to produce up to 3 showers a day in northern latitudes and 4 showers a day in southern latitudes. The system also performs well in heavy overcast and can bring tank temperatures up to 115 F with 90% overcast for the day.
The system is fully automated and designed for movement where the angle to the sun is constantly changing. The Navicular technology has active electronic sun tracking in which sensors follow the sun and simultaneously turn different parts of the system on and off accordingly for optimal continuous heating. This system has an equivalent output of up to 278 watts and can provide 560 watts heat for 1 hour with its internal storage loop tank. The 560 watt boost was designed for quick recovery after hot water use.
In terms of size, the Navicular solar system has no equivalent. PV solar panels run at 20% efficiency in regards to available square meter of energy from the sun. The Navicular thermal technology runs at 70% with 278 watts output at only 3.3 x 2.5 ft., which is small enough to fit behind the mast of a 27 ft. sailboat. In terms of day to day performance, the Navicular solar system has 3 times the output of solar PV and is also designed to heat water with minimal battery power for rainy days.
See the following hot water technology comparisons for overall performance vs. cost;
| showermate550.pdf |
Product Photos
Controller Features
Unit Specifications
Dimensions: 3.3 x 2.5 x .65 Feet
Weight: 37.5 lbs.
Heating Loop: 3/8 ID 1/2 OD tubing, system designed for no expansion tank.
Power Consumption: 21 watts peak (12 volt DC), 15 watt average but can be adjusted to lower pump frequency vs cloudiness for energy savings.
Thermal Output: Peak 950 btu per hour or 278 watts @75 F ambient.
Frame and Flat Panel Materials: Anodized aluminum frame and marine grade powder coated aluminum flat-panel.
Cover: Marine durable custom fit cover with logo included.
Heat Exchanger: Requires closed loop exchanger found on typical marine water heaters. Cannot be direct circulation and pressurization from water heaters. Can be set up to use with engine manifold heat exchanger with quick connects and etc. Circulation fluid can be water or antifreeze mix like any other solar hot water system.
Spare Tube Kit: Although these tubes are a high-strength glass known as borosilicate glass, accidents can happen. These tubes are very durable for outdoor conditions (designed for 1 inch hail at 50 mph) and undergo rigorous testing (see ball bearing impact test). Included is an extra evacuated tube kit with a protective carrying case (15 minute changeover).
Heating Loop Fluid Charge Kit: Included are quick connect fittings with valves for simple heating loop charge and bleed.
Installation Degree of Difficulty and Labor: About the same as installing a marine Air Conditioner unit, 1 day of labor.
Warranty: 1 year limited warranty
Designed and Assembled in USA
Any questions regarding installation options, other applications such as cabins, RV and tiny houses please contact or call. Below is the deck installation guide for boats.
- Four differential temperature settings with hot water tank temperatures. This enables the user to set multiple loops for 12 volt pump automation and optimization.
- Two simultaneous auxiliary backup heat or boost options. For example, it has AC or DC back up heat options where you could set either one to start and stop at any temperature. This could be used to tie in shore power when at a dock and a DC to AC converter while at sea. If you have a 4 gallon water heater at 750 watts AC, it could be set to use only 300 watts to bring temp up for a shower with batteries.
Unit Specifications
Dimensions: 3.3 x 2.5 x .65 Feet
Weight: 37.5 lbs.
Heating Loop: 3/8 ID 1/2 OD tubing, system designed for no expansion tank.
Power Consumption: 21 watts peak (12 volt DC), 15 watt average but can be adjusted to lower pump frequency vs cloudiness for energy savings.
Thermal Output: Peak 950 btu per hour or 278 watts @75 F ambient.
Frame and Flat Panel Materials: Anodized aluminum frame and marine grade powder coated aluminum flat-panel.
Cover: Marine durable custom fit cover with logo included.
Heat Exchanger: Requires closed loop exchanger found on typical marine water heaters. Cannot be direct circulation and pressurization from water heaters. Can be set up to use with engine manifold heat exchanger with quick connects and etc. Circulation fluid can be water or antifreeze mix like any other solar hot water system.
Spare Tube Kit: Although these tubes are a high-strength glass known as borosilicate glass, accidents can happen. These tubes are very durable for outdoor conditions (designed for 1 inch hail at 50 mph) and undergo rigorous testing (see ball bearing impact test). Included is an extra evacuated tube kit with a protective carrying case (15 minute changeover).
Heating Loop Fluid Charge Kit: Included are quick connect fittings with valves for simple heating loop charge and bleed.
Installation Degree of Difficulty and Labor: About the same as installing a marine Air Conditioner unit, 1 day of labor.
Warranty: 1 year limited warranty
Designed and Assembled in USA
Any questions regarding installation options, other applications such as cabins, RV and tiny houses please contact or call. Below is the deck installation guide for boats.
| boat_deck_installation_guide.pdf |
