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10.

 

SENSOR MOUNTING AT COLLECTOR 

 
The controller heat sensor is mounted to the nipple 
outlet of the collector (Figures 14).  A stainless steel 
screw clamp should be used.  The entire nipple 
should be wrapped thoroughly with insulating tape 
so that the sensor is isolated from the outside air. 

Figure 14

 

 

11.

 

PIPING THROUGH THE ROOF 

 
Piping through the roof should be weatherproofed 
as shown in Figure 15. 
(a)

 

One inch holes are drilled through the roof on 
the same plane as the supply and return header 
nipples.  Do not drill the hole above the supply 
header of the collector.  This will prevent the 
collector from draining.  Placing the hole below 
the supply header is acceptable, but it is more 
aesthetic if it is located on the same plane 

(b)

 

A copper flashing is placed around the hole 
with its base cemented to the roof and its upper 
edges slid under the adjoining shingle. 

(c)

 

The copper tube supply and return line is then 
pushed up through the hole in the flashing. 

(d)

 

A “coolie cap” is then slid over the copper tube 
till it meets the flashing.  After piping to the 
collectors is completed, the “coolie cap” is 
soldered to the copper tube. 

(e)

 

Polybutalyne adhesive is then placed on the top 
and bottom of the flashing, providing a 
weatherproof seal.  The sensor wire should also 
be run through the return flashing. 

 

 

Figure 15 

 

12.

 

STORAGE TANK PLACEMENT 

 
To minimize expense and heat loss, the tank should 
be placed near the collectors and central to points of 
greatest water demand. It should be located in as 
warm a spot as possible.  It should be located with 
adequate ventilation, with a minimum of 6-8 inches 
of clearance and with ready access to controls and 
serviceable parts. 

Provision should be made to prevent water damage 
in case of leakage.  A catch pan with a minimum of 
¾” drain line at least 2” in height may be installed 
and pitched for proper drainage. Electrical service 
of 240V should be available for the element and 
110V for the pump and controller. 

 

Summary of Contents for DX DRAINBACK

Page 1: ...Alternate Energy Technologies PO Box 61326 Jacksonville FL 32236 904 781 8305 INSTALLATION OPERATION MAINTENANCE MANUAL DX DRAINBACK ...

Page 2: ...horoughly Each step is outlined completely and clarified by diagrams where necessary All questions which arise BASIC TOOLS AND MATERIALS Electric Drill Drill Index w and Wood Bits Hack Saw Tubing Cutter Tin Snips 16 Tape Measure 24 Level Flashlight Extension Cord Slip Joint Pliers Needle Nose Pliers Pipe Wretches 10 14 Open End Wrenches 9 16 7 16 Screw Driver 6 Flat Blade Screw Driver 6 Philips Wi...

Page 3: ...ctor mounting When roof mounting placing the collectors as close as possible to the peak of the roof will make installation easier due to increased attic access 2 COLLECTOR ORIENTATION Proper tilt angle for solar collectors is latitude plus 100 see latitude map This favors the winter sun because ambient temperatures are lower during the winter and collector efficiency suffers This 100 additional t...

Page 4: ...8 22 58 370 9 12 2 58 3 58 7 58 11 58 15 58 19 58 400 10 12 4 58 0 58 4 58 8 58 13 58 17 58 430 11 12 7 58 3 58 2 58 6 58 10 58 14 58 450 12 12 8 58 4 58 0 58 4 58 8 58 13 58 ROOF PITCH VERTICAL 44 41 37 33 29 25 Table 1 All Lengths in inches 3 COLLECTOR DIMENSIONS Collector Gross Area ft2 Dimensions in Transparent Area ft2 Weight lb AE 21 20 87 35 3 16 x 85 3 16 19 22 74 AE 24 23 81 35 3 16 x 97 ...

Page 5: ...ed rod passes through the aluminum bracket It is very important that the penetrations through the roof be well sealed It should be carefully checked that all bolts are coated with tar and that no leaks are possible There are three acceptable ways to secure the collector mounting brackets to the roof 1 Spanner Mounting 2 Lag Bolt Mounting 3 J Bolt Mounting In spanner mounting after the brackets are...

Page 6: ...the roof and determine where it is denser sounding The roof man can drill a pilot hole while the attic man helps with distance corrections Then the attic man can call of the distance to the next rafter while the roof man drills corresponding pilot holes Flashing the brackets is done as previously described Secure the brackets to the roof using a x 3 stainless lag screw a flat washer and a lock was...

Page 7: ...uble nuts or lock washers to securely fasten the mounting bracket to the J bolt Figure 8 Figure 8 J Bolt Mounting 5 MOUNTING HARDWARE SPACING AE Series Center Line to Center Line in Model Size ft Outside Box Dim in AE MH AE FM AE RM AE 21 3 x 7 35 1875 x 85 1875 88 4375 88 9375 86 9375 AE 24 3 x 8 35 1875 x 97 1875 100 4375 100 9375 98 9375 AE 26 4 x 6 5 47 1875 x 77 1875 80 4375 80 9375 78 9375 A...

Page 8: ...f top and bottom mounts for all AE and MSC series 6 PITCH PAN The pitch pan is necessary any time standing water is encountered Figure 9 The purpose is to provide an adequate seal around any penetration in the roof a The pitch pan is placed in the proper position and flat on the roof b Its flange is sealed with roofing felt and hot tar c The holes are sealed on the inside with roofing tar to a suf...

Page 9: ...h the tile c Slide the 12 x 12 lead flashing under the tile located above the 3 8 hole then drill through the lead flashing into the hole d Screw lag portion of the 3 8 hanger bolt into the rafter e Cut strips of the lead flashing about 1 long and wide enough that when you fold it into a tube is slightly larger in diameter as the hanger bolt f Using an acid core solder weld the seam of the tube to...

Page 10: ...idered before a final decision is made on how the collectors are mounted Piping should be made of not less than I D copper tube of the type meeting local codes insulated with Armaflex or similar and painted or wrapped with aluminum tape where exposed to ultraviolet radiation Figure 11 Figure 12 9 COLLECTOR PIPING DETAIL The outlets of the collector are copper nipples Figure 13 They should be piped...

Page 11: ...he copper tube supply and return line is then pushed up through the hole in the flashing d A coolie cap is then slid over the copper tube till it meets the flashing After piping to the collectors is completed the coolie cap is soldered to the copper tube e Polybutalyne adhesive is then placed on the top and bottom of the flashing providing a weatherproof seal The sensor wire should also be run thr...

Page 12: ...Two fill valves boiler drains are installed on the inlet to the heat exchanger and one on the top of the drainback reservoir A hose is attached to the drain valve on the inlet to the heat exchanger The other drain valve located at the top of the reservoir is opened to allow air to escape The system is then filled with water through the inlet to the heat exchanger This way water first fills the hea...

Page 13: ...12 Figure 16 Drainback System with DX Reservoir ...

Page 14: ...g the potable water side of the DX system be sure to open the hot water faucet in the bath tub to release the air from the system 17 DRAINBACK DX START UP After installation and final inspection the system should be filled and checked for leaks for hour see Figure 20 To charge the system a Connect hose to fill valve A b Open fill valves A and B c SLOWLY Fill the system with water until water reach...

Page 15: ...erly The pump should run each sunny day until a full supply of hot water is stored If the pump does not run there is a problem on the electrical end of the system Either the pump controller or sensors are malfunctioning The controller can be bypassed by running a power cable directly to the pump and checking its function separate from the control system Make sure that the problem is not a blown fu...

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