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22

Alpha SolarSmart 100 - System Operation/Routine Inspection

Temperature display

The normal display will be as shown in Fig 25 with the collector (S3) and upper cylinder (S1) sensor temperatures shown.
S3 is the top reading and S1 the bottom reading.

Domestic hot water circuit

When a hot tap is opened, cold mains water enters the solar cylinder at the bottom forcing hot water out from the top to go 
to the boiler. If it is below 60°C the boiler fires to maintain a 60°C outlet, if the water is above 60°C the boiler does not fire 
and the hot water passes through the boiler to the hot outlet. The cylinder pump passes the cool water from the bottom of the 
cylinder through the drain back unit heat exchanger and hot water back to the cylinder.

Collector water circuit

The drain back unit pump is controlled by the control box. The collector water is circulated in a closed loop through the 
collector where it is heated then passes through the heat exchanger in the drain back unit where the heat is transferred to 
the domestic water from the cylinder.

Frost protection

The system will only operate when there is a 10°C differential between the cylinder temperature and the collector 
temperature.

Pumps

If the electrical supply is on and the solar system has not operated for 24 hours, the pumps will operate automatically every 
24 hours, providing the collector temperature is above 10°C.

7  ROUTINE INSPECTION

To ensure efficient operation of the SolarSmart system, it is recommended that it is inspected and checked (by a competent 
person) as necessary at regular intervals.

Warning: 

Before removing any covers or working on the system, isolate the electrical supply.

The data badge (serial number) for the cylinder and DBU are located on the lefthand side of the case. See Figs. 10 and 11.
Always carry out electrical system checks, i.e. earth continuity, resistance to earth, short circuit and polarity with a suitable 
meter, after any electrical work has been carried out on the system.
Check the operation of the system before and after any servicing or replacement of parts.

7.1  IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION

1.  Run the system and check the operation.
2.  Ensure that all system connections and fittings are sound.
3.  Open the Solar cylinder's drain valve (Fig. 1, item 13) until the water from the bottom of the cylinder runs clear.
4.  Inspect and clean, if required, the filter in the cold fill manifold assembly. See Fig. 19.
5.  Check the operation of the pressure relief valve by turning the head anti-clockwise until it clicks. The click is the valve 

lifting off its seat allowing water to escape to the discharge pipe - check that this is happening and that the valve is not 
leaking after it has been operated,

6.  Check the charge in the domestic hot water expansion vessel and re-pressurise, if necessary. See Fig. 20.
 

Note: 

Only check the expansion vessel charge when the 

system 

pressure is zero, i.e. drained.

7.  Record details of the service in the Service Record at the back of these instructions.
It is recommended that any service work is carried out by a competent person.

Warning: 

Before removing any covers or working on the system, isolate the electrical supply.

Summary of Contents for SolarSmart 100

Page 1: ...ions have been carefully prepared but we reserve the right to alter the specification at any time in the interest of product improvement Alpha Therm Limited 2014 Part No 1 032744 ST15 000233 0314 D337...

Page 2: ...emedial or improvement work identified during the course of commissioning or servicing work Refer to the manufacturer s helpline where assistance is needed Report product faults and concerns to the ma...

Page 3: ...t of the Environment i e Approved Document L1 Building Standards Scotland Consolidation Regulations issued by the Scottish Development Department UK Water Regulations Byelaws Scotland Health Safety Do...

Page 4: ...ction Return Connection Max Working Pressure Heat Exchanger Content Collector Circuit Flow Connection Return Connection Max Working Pressure Vessel Size Max Filled Content Case Insulation 2 2 SOLAR CO...

Page 5: ...Energy Loss of Solar Cylinder Global Warming Potential Ozone Depletion Potential Insulation Blowing Agent The collector installation must be carried out using the kits and connections supplied by Alp...

Page 6: ...e 11 Expansion vessel 12 Immersion heater boss use Alpha immersion kit only 13 Drain point for cylinder 14 Pressure relief valve 15 Inlet filter 16 Pressure reducing valve 17 Tundish 18 Isolation valv...

Page 7: ...e in 15 mm copper pipe and be as short as possible Where possible the pipework should be insulated to reduce heat loss Thoroughly flush out the mains water supply pipe before connecting it to the boil...

Page 8: ...is 9 m Subtract the resistance for four 22 mm elbows of 0 8 m each 3 2 m Therefore the maximum permitted length equates to 9 3 2 5 8 m 5 8 m is less than the actual length of 7 m therefore calculate...

Page 9: ...itch or cylinder control utilizing mains electricity The bottom of the solar cylinder must be located within 6 metres vertically of the top of the drain back unit Dimensions The dimensions of the cyli...

Page 10: ...to the DBU The pipework must be insulated with high temperature insulation Dimensions The dimensions of the DBU and clearances required for servicing are shown in Fig 5 Fig 5 DBU Connections A Return...

Page 11: ...g from the sun One solar collector is required upto a maximum of two collectors can be installed using one of the following methods a Integration of the collector into the tiles of a pitched roof Usin...

Page 12: ...ctor is fixed at an inclination of 30 and ballast or fixings must be used to secure the frame in the required position Refer to Fig 9 for details of location of the drain back unit in relation to the...

Page 13: ...3 023223 b Twin collectors portrait or landscape Part No 3 023241 8 Solar collect On Slates kits a Single collector portrait or landscape Part No 3 023224 b Twin collectors portrait or landscape Part...

Page 14: ...the template includes the minimum clearances required and mark the positions of the fixing holes Drill the holes to suit the fixing supplied or alternative fixings suitable for the mounting surface w...

Page 15: ...the fixing supplied or alternative fixings suitable for the mounting surface wall If using only the top fixings fit two of the screws supplied with the heads about 5 mm proud so that they will locate...

Page 16: ...lastic caps are removed from all connections Note If soldering union bends ensure that the bends are not connected to the valves etc otherwise the internal seals may be damaged soldered connections ca...

Page 17: ...res to terminals 45 and 46 the polarity is not important on the terminal block Ensure that the cable is secured in the cable clamp 5 Connect the Mains Supply The solar cylinder has been fitted with a...

Page 18: ...tly installed and that all the terminal connections are tight Switch on the electrical supply and press the On Off button on the control panel see Fig 23 to start the system 6 Check for any leaks and...

Page 19: ...and S3 S3 is always the upper temperature on the display Button Description Description Function Function Symbol State Decription DBU pump Cylinder pump Warning Sun Degrees celsius Digits Temperature...

Page 20: ...ler hot water thermostat to be left at the maximum position No 9 and that it is the purpose of the label Fig 18 to maintain this and that the label must not be removed 5 Weekly cleaning of shower head...

Page 21: ...cylinder sensor and the solar cylinder temperature is less than 65 C the drain back unit pump will start to circulate water around the collector At the same time that the drain back unit pump starts...

Page 22: ...ended that it is inspected and checked by a competent person as necessary at regular intervals Warning Before removing any covers or working on the system isolate the electrical supply The data badge...

Page 23: ...scribed in Section 8 2 Disconnect the union from the bottom of the expansion vessel and remove the locknut see Fig 27 then carefully lift the vessel out Reassemble in reverse order with a new vessel a...

Page 24: ...taken when carrying out repairs to the DBU as it reaches very high temperatures and can emit steam from connections when being removed Isolate the mains electric supply and remove the front case of th...

Page 25: ...plug housing with another spanner to prevent damaging the pipe Expect about 8 litres Loosen the flow and return connections beneath the drain back unit and slacken the locknuts Disconnect the flow an...

Page 26: ...ctor has the correct fall and length Check the collector sensor and the lower cylinder sensor do they operate check sensor resistance in Section 10 3 Check the collector tubes are they blocked with di...

Page 27: ...INDER SENSOR TEMPERATURE and RESISTANCE DATA Temperature C 0 20 50 80 105 130 160 Resistance Ohm 20 Ohm 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 Collector Sensor Resistance Table Temperature C 25 30 65 85 R...

Page 28: ...sembly Ref Description Qty Part No Solar Cylinder Assembly Note Washers and seals are not supplied with the replacement components and the relevant seals kit should also be used Ref Description Qty Pa...

Page 29: ...washers Complete seals kit all DBU seals washers Wall fixing pack plugs screws Collector sensor Collector sensor extension lead 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 026759 1 033644 1 033420 1 0...

Page 30: ...luid details What type make of heat transfer fluid used System volume litres What is the fluid mix Water Glycol Frost protection provided to C Is the installation in a hard water area above 200ppm Yes...

Page 31: ...mpleted YES NO Engineer Name Company Name Telephone Number Comments Signature Date Energy Efficiency Checklist completed YES NO Engineer Name Company Name Telephone Number Comments Signature Date Date...

Page 32: ...ed Kingdom What this warranty does not cover Free of charge repairs to appliances that have not been installed by a qualified and competent person Repairs to appliances that have not been installed an...

Page 33: ...ly failure the system will not operate When the supply is restored the system will return to normal operation If the mains water supply fails there will be no hot water from the taps 3 Pressure Relief...

Page 34: ...starts the cylinder pump will start at 16 full speed to circulate the cylinder water through the drain back unit heat exchanger The drain back unit pump will stop when the temperature difference betwe...

Page 35: ...isplay panel and push button controls The display indicates the working modes of the system with symbols to indicate the working components of the complete system 2 USER CONTROLS Fig 1 S1 S 2 3S S1 S...

Page 36: ...ully prepared but we reserve the right to alter the specification at any time in the interest of product improvement Alpha Therm Limited 2014 Part No 1 032744 ST15 000233 0314 D337 Alpha Therm Limited...

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