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regular tap water as a mixing agent is prohibited.
Proceed as follows:
4.11.1 Begin by lling the solar tank with water. Do
this by opening the cold water isolation ball valve
to the solar tank (No. 23). When the tank is lled,
inspect all threaded ttings and solder joints for leaks.
4.11.2 Fill and pressurize the solar collector loop
with water. Begin by connecting a washing machine
hose to the upper charge valve (No. 9) and ll the
collector loop with water. The isolation ball valve
(No. 10) remains closed at this point. While the hose
is still connected to the upper charge valve and the
water is running, open the lower purge/drain valve
(No. 11) and let the water run out until it is free of
impurities or debris that might have entered the piping
as the components were plumbed. Run the water
long enough to eliminate any air bubbles that may be
trapped in the system.
Close the lower purge/drain valve. The collector
loop now has been subjected to city pressure and the
pressure gauge should read somewhere in the range
of 50 - 75 PSI in most cases (No. 7). Make a nal
inspection of the collector plumbing connections
to ensure that there are no leaks anywhere in the
collector loop piping.
4.11.3 After you have determined the integrity of the
entire piping system turn on the circulating pump. Do
collector in the summer months or under stagna-
tion conditions can melt this type of material.
Any above ground exterior pipe insulation is sub-
ject to UV degradation and must be wrapped
with foil tape or painted with two coats of high
quality water-based acrylic resin coating as sup-
plied by the insulation manufacturer. Rubatex
UV Protective Coating or equal is the required
coating material.
4.5 Collector Plumbing
SunEarth requires the use of all copper and brass
fittings in the collector loop plumbing.
Couplings rather than unions should be used to
join the collectors to avoid leaks and fluid loss.
Use only lead-free solder. Engelhard Silvabrite
100 or equal is required. Use of 50/50 lead sol-
der is expressly prohibited. Use of galvanized
steel, CPVC, PVC, or any other type of plastic
pipe is prohibited.
Piping in new solar installations can be covered
with dirt, grease, solder flux or other impurities
that over time affect the quality of the glycol HTF.
A thorough cleaning is required before charging
the system with glycol. Carefully review the
cleaning procedures in "Charging The System"
outlined below.
All vertical piping between the storage tank and
the collector shall be supported at each story or
at maximum intervals of ten feet (10'). Copper
plumbers tape or tube strap is required. The pipe
insulation may not be compressed or crimped by
the strapping material.
The installation of all horizontal and vertical pip-
ing may not reduce the performance or rating of
any structural member or fire rated assembly.
Adhere to all applicable local codes and ordi-
nances.
4.6 Collector Sensor Placement
The collector sensor must be located on the hot
water return line as close to the collector as pos-
sible. Sensors are typically accurate to +/- 1/2°F
if properly installed and weatherized. To maxi-
mize sensor accuracy, attach the flanged portion
of the sensor to the SunEarth collector header
pipe with a stainless steel hose clamp. Wire nuts
used to connect the sensor and low voltage
wiring shall be all plastic, sealed with silicone and
thoroughly wrapped in electrician’s tape.
P .7
fig.14
fig.15
fig.13
COLLECTOR
SENSOR
COLLECTOR PLUMBING - VERTICAL MOUNT
COLLECTOR PLUMBING - HORIZONTAL MOUNT