Not talking cute aliens here, rather the Evacuated Tubes which some prefer to flat plate according to earlier threads. I'm still of mixed mind, having installed both, but am regularly encountering problems with ETs which lead me to believe that longevity may be on the side of the flat plates.

That's another discussion, but for now, what I am after is any info on replacing 47mm (dia) by 1500mm long ETs from the infamous SMART energy company, sadly no longer with us. Their installation MO has given rise to a number of problems, including premature tube failure, despite a quality Swiss (albeit OEM) brand. So I need replacement tubes for some rather nice early adopters here in Cornwall. Anyone had any experience with this problem please?

Thanks in anticipation, Crusoe.

Hi Steamy - no, they are non heat-pipe, non seal. Basically a copper-nickel 'U' pipe brazed to a header in the manifold top section, over which the glass tubes slide and are secured at the foot. I guess this is going to be a common problem in the future, so as well to find some replacements now. It still works, but unless I find replacement tubes, the bare pipes will lose heat to the roof rather than gain it, which really ain't the idea!

Just to conclude the thread, it appears that there are a number of 1500 x 47mm tubes which will retro-fit the SMART energy fall-down-dead ETs. Check IDs as well as ODs and be a bit wary of the ex-SMART energy people who bought the defunct company customer database and are now, it appears, hard-selling insurance to the poor people.

Imagine a more morally bankrupt business if you will. You already know it will most probably go wrong due to the installation MO and mis-selling. But the very fact of its flaws means you can write your own perfect little set of T&Cs excluding the things which are most likely to fail. I can auralise the conversation....

'Ah, the collector Mrs Smith, sorry, that's not covered, but we know a very competetn man who can sort it for you without affecting the warranty....' Yes indeedy