SWH project part 12 - welding*

*or in actual fact, brazing.  But everyone here seemed to call it welding...

This has been a busy week, which may or may not have had anything to do with Mr P's out-of-the-blue announcement the other week that "I think we should have it up and running by the 15th". Perhaps a little over-optimistic given that that's tomorrow, but nice to have some sudden ambition introduced to the proceedings.

So the panels have been fitted into the frames, and their tubes welded together and leak tested. Pipes to connect the system with the laundry have been purchased, along with glass wool sheets to insulate them with. Polyurethane foam sheets for the backs of the panels have been ordered, produced and delivered. My temperature monitoring system is pretty much complete, and semi-installed (more on that another day).

A good week's work.

Fitting the panels required a spot of saw-wielding.

First three in place - some dropped in beautifully; others had to be beaten into
submission with planes, saws, hammers and a little brute force.

Even before paint and glazing are applied the panels are around 50-60°C, and
visibly bending.  This week it has been high 30s outside, and in the sunniest spot
on the compound, in front of what is essentially a 7ft x 40ft mirror, it's HOT.

A couple of chaps came up from Lahore to do our welding.  After they'd been
connected together some of the panels required re-beating-into-submission.

Lugging those oxygen cylinders across the orchard is no joke...

The pretty colours of tortured metal.

Finally all welded together and in place.  Time for a leak test, which in typical
Pakistani style involves about 5 hoses shoved into each others ends, and a guy
holding it on to the tap at the other end.

A leak!  But actually in one of the previous welds from when the panels were
fabricated.  Still, 1 out of 164 ain't bad.

Take that pesky leak!