Eco Online™ Solar Pool Heating System -- Installation Manual
© Copyright 2012 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 35
24.1
Negative Pressure & Air Bubble Issues
If the pump height is substantial, it may be the case that your pump cannot
positive pressurize
the vacuum release
valve. In this case you will get undesirable constant bubbling in the outlet to the pool as the vacuum release valve is
drawing in air. If this happens you will need to install the PVC ball valve down draft brake (16, see plumbing
diagrams) on the return line.
The following procedure need be carried out only once during installation. This procedure can be carried out with
the vacuum valve’s top (and gasket removed).
1)
Constrict flow in the return line using the ball valve brake (16, see plumbing diagrams) lever handle by a
small increment.
2)
If after some time air bubbling continues, constrict flow by another small increment.
3)
If air bubbles stop reliably at this point then the vacuum breaker is now at the required positive pressure.
4)
Leave the ball valve brake in place at this constriction permanently.
5)
If the required constriction is greater than 50% you will need a stronger pump.
24.2
Adjusting the Three Way Valve for Manual Systems
The following procedure for manual system Configuration 1, need be carried out only once during installation. This
procedure can be carried out with the vacuum valve’s top (and gasket removed).
1)
Open the three way ball valve (9, see plumbing diagrams) using the lever handle by a small increment.
2)
Wait to see if there is sufficient flow and back pressure to create positive pressure at the vacuum release (7).
3)
If after some time air bubbling is still present in the return line, open the three way valve (9 see plumbing
diagrams) by another small increment.
4)
If air bubbles stop reliably at this point then the vacuum breaker is now at the required positive pressure.
5)
Fix in place a back stop on the ball valve lever handle at this travel point, as this will be your maximum
opening point for your three way valve when turning the heating system on again.
24.3
Optimizing Pressure for Oversized Pumps
For an over-sized solar pump (13, see plumbing diagrams) we recommend the following procedure, carried out only
once during installation, to limit pressures inside the panels. This procedure can be carried out with the vacuum
valve’s top (and gasket removed).
1)
Removed any potential constrictions in the return line going back into the pool.
2)
If pressure is still too great (as measured by the above “Pressure Optimization Test”) install a limiting ball
valve just above or below the non-return valve (8, see plumbing diagrams).
3)
Turn the solar pump on with the limiting ball valve fully open.
Use the below procedure for solving air bubbling issues, DO NOT remove or drop the
level of the vacuum release valve. The vacuum release valve MUST be mounted above
the lowest point on the collector array on the roof to ensure collectors are not pressure
worked.
Over-sized pumps and flow rates could potentially limit the lifetime of your OKU
collectors due to pressure working of collectors. Note, the return line to the pool MUST
be unconstricted, with an appropriate number of pool outlets so as not to create
significant back pressure in the panels.
