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Vertex 

Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System

   --  Installation & User Manual 

© Copyright 2019 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved. 

 

Page 35

 

26

 

Solar PV Panel Mounting 

 

 

 

 

26.1

 

Solar PV Panel Location 

For 

ease of maintenance

short wire issues

 and a 

reduced chance of lighting strike

 - we highly recommend that the 

solar panel is mounted 

as close to the ground as possible

 without running into shading issues.  

26.2

 

Extending the Electrical Wires 

The 5meter extension lead can be used to extend any of the three leads, i.e. the 1m pump lead, the 2m over-
temperature lead or the 5m solar lead. Please note, we do not recommend further extensions as this will create too 
high a voltage drop. If a further extension is absolutely necessary we recommend you not use the 5m extension lead. 
Instead splice in a much higher gauge wire wherever required. You will need to purchase an appropriate splice kit at 
your local electrical supplier. If unsure we strongly recommend a qualified electrician splice wires together, as 

bad 

electrical connections can form a fire hazard. 

 

The solar PV panel acts as a power source AND sun sensor for the thermal OKU collectors. 
Hence, the PV panel should be mounted at the same compass direction as the collector 
array, with the following exceptions: 

1) For West or East facing thermal collector installations it is preferable that the PV panel 
face closer to NW or NE respectively. 

2) For steep pitch thermal collector arrays it is preferable the PV panel be mounted on a 
shallower pitch to get more sun. 

Summary of Contents for Vertex Self-Prime

Page 1: ...hout the specific written permission of Optex Solar Pty Ltd Trademarks appearing in this manual are the sole property of Optex Solar Pty Ltd or their respective owners Nothing in this publication shal...

Page 2: ...A Place to Install the Collector Array 14 Pump and Solar PV Panel Test 14 1 What if the Pump Won t Start 15 Collector Array Configuration 15 1 Array Configurations Not Recommend 16 Roof Attachment Opt...

Page 3: ...ter Level 24 2 For Systems with Standard Suction Ports and Pump Assembly below the Water Level 24 3 For Systems with below Water Level Collectors 25 Plumbing Variations 25 1 Dual Pump Setups 26 Solar...

Page 4: ...ting any work Particular attention should be given to text contained in the following key terms Please note EcoOnline has a strong product safety policy do not install products without reading safety...

Page 5: ...ust be considered by the purchaser installer such that flood water from such a failure at any point of a Vertex system will drain safely Due to the potential of falling from heights mounting the solar...

Page 6: ...and we will ship the items free of shipping charges 5 Collector and Solar Pump Sizing Guide An interactive collector and pump sizing calculator for vinyl covered spas pools can be found on our website...

Page 7: ...d Chlorination Any other Chlorination or Sanitation Hydrochloric Acid Sodium Bisulphate Acid Acidic Water pH less than 7 2 Water pH greater than 7 6 This system is not compatible with bromide chlorina...

Page 8: ...be observed to limit wind uplift potential 1 Installed panels should lay flat close to the roof structure It is recommend the air gap distance between the bottom of the installed collector and the val...

Page 9: ...2019 Optex Solar Pty Ltd All rights strictly reserved Page 9 9 Included System Components Panel Kit if purchased 1 HDPE collector panel 2 40mm reinforced silicon joiners 4 Stainless steel hose clamps...

Page 10: ...ar panel with PVC wire connector and under temperature thermostat Vertex Base Plumbing Kit Components 1 Vacuum and positive pressure air release valve 1 Vertex strainer with water buffer chamber 1 70c...

Page 11: ...ne length per collector Preferably if transport is available these horizontal lengths should span the collector array or be as long as possible see section 6 1 below 60mm galvanized timber screws Blac...

Page 12: ...th 8mm Hex socket Screwdriver with 8mm socket fitting Clear silicon Hack saw metal blade to reduce PVC filing size PVC and Spa Flex glue Level Fixing Screws Drill bits 32mm x 32mm x 3mm Aluminium angl...

Page 13: ...afety The chance of a falling from a ladder should never be underestimated Use only solid industrial grade ladders in good repair that have been checked for faults Note even a small unexpected movemen...

Page 14: ...e mounted near the Child Safety Barrier both on the inside and outside of the Pool Area unless proper clearances are observed Consult your Local Government The Building Commission or SPASA for details...

Page 15: ...d start in 3 4 secs 14 1 What if the Pump Won t Start 1 Check that there is sufficient sun and that no cell of the panel is shaded 2 Check that the under temperature thermostat is ON and that the pane...

Page 16: ...e evacuated upon filling collectors MUST be installed with a minimum recommended pitch of 5 Also ideally the top header pipe should have a 1 or 2 upward slope toward the top outlet return such that th...

Page 17: ...contraction of 22mm in length per panel Key design principles when choosing a roof mounting means 1 Consider the high thermal contraction of HDPE 2 Panels should be as low down on the roof as possibl...

Page 18: ...rrugated Metal Roof Aluminium Angle Mounting Options For metal roofs we recommend using a minimum screw fixing space of 600mm when fixing the aluminium angle Depending on your wind loading see Wind Pr...

Page 19: ...tem Installation User Manual Copyright 2019 Optex Solar Pty Ltd All rights strictly reserved Page 19 17 1 Aluminium Angle Mounting Options 17 1 Thermal Expansion Gaps for Aluminium Channels 17 2 Metal...

Page 20: ...th per panel For a two row array strapped between a top and bottom aluminium rail the total ultimate contraction is then 44mm The top and bottom strap must have sufficient play to account for this ult...

Page 21: ...e is a pin hole leak a small amount of silicon can be used to seal Note You ll need to re tighten these with cool water running through the collectors at a later stage as HDPE has a high thermal contr...

Page 22: ...cts which pose a potential cable severing or crushing hazard When using glues solvents or sealing agents make sure you know and seek the proper first aid in case of an accident IMPORTANT DO NOT over t...

Page 23: ...Vertex Solar Pool Spa Heating System Installation User Manual Copyright 2019 Optex Solar Pty Ltd All rights strictly reserved Page 23 20 2 Single or Multi Row Metal Roof Fixings Wind Region A...

Page 24: ...Copyright 2019 Optex Solar Pty Ltd All rights strictly reserved Page 24 20 3 Single or Multi Row Metal Roof Fixings for Wind Regions B C NOTE For single or multi row arrays in wind regions B or C alu...

Page 25: ...Ltd All rights strictly reserved Page 25 20 4 Single or Multi Row Tile Roof Fixings for Wind Region A B 20 5 Perforated Band Under Tile Anchor Point For Region B or Two row arrays For single or multi...

Page 26: ...ngs Per Panel in Wind Region A Kg Region A 10 Roof Pitch 12 5 Roof Pitch 15 Roof Pitch 17 5 Roof Pitch 20 Roof Pitch Terrain Category 1 120 Kg 110 Kg 95 Kg 90 Kg 80 Kg Terrain Category 2 100 Kg 90 Kg...

Page 27: ...s guide line is not required but still recommended Greater than 70Kg per panel Stainless guide line is required across each row Greater than 120kg per panel Stainless guide line is required with in be...

Page 28: ...nd cleared subdivisions with isolated trees Terrain Category 2 5 Averaged intermediate between Terrain Category 2 and Terrain Category 3 Terrain Category 3 Numerous closely spaced building obstruction...

Page 29: ...nd locking collar ONLY DO NOT use silicon lube on any part of the grommet water lubricant only The below suction pump filter by pass assembly configuration MUST be followed exactly Take particular not...

Page 30: ...n line to remove the extra pump height created You CANNOT rely on a person to remember to put back the return line after pool spa use people may get distracted in the process or it may be pulled out b...

Page 31: ...your system at the points shown above from left to right you will need 2 x 20mm PVC straight couplers 1 length of 20mm PVC 2 x 20mm PVC straight couplers 1 length of 20mm PVC Flexline 2 x 100mm DWV s...

Page 32: ...reserved Page 32 24 2 For Systems with Standard Suction Ports and Pump Assembly below the Water Level 24 3 For Systems with below Water Level Collectors The installation of at least two Australian Sta...

Page 33: ...ction health must be carried out Extra care must be taken to ensure pH is non acidic i e greater than 7 5 For below water level mounted collectors there is an increased risk of potential flooding resu...

Page 34: ...Setups If your system came with dual pumps you can plumb them in vertically as shown or in a 45 configuration as shown in the previous section For such dual pumps you ll also need to purchase 3 extra...

Page 35: ...igh a voltage drop If a further extension is absolutely necessary we recommend you not use the 5m extension lead Instead splice in a much higher gauge wire wherever required You will need to purchase...

Page 36: ...by hyperthermia may experience weakness fainting nausea drowsiness and muscle cramps as a result they may experience a failure to perceive the impending danger of prolonged immersion and the need to e...

Page 37: ...ature If you require a lower spa temperature we recommend you use ball brake valve see plumbing diagrams to constrict flow slightly This will increase the temperature differential across the collector...

Page 38: ...ion or servicing The connectors should not be in a position such that they are continuously exposed to splashing spa water or rain ingress which can run down the cord and make its way inside the conne...

Page 39: ...over every part of each collector Collectors should be cool to the touch while the top of each collector could be slightly warmer Hot spots indicate that there is no water flow through this part of th...

Page 40: ...toward to the pump with no air traps The over temperature thermostat was installed and tested The thermostat aluminium U channel and thermostat itself is well insulated from the surroundings PVC plum...

Page 41: ...s should be checked for signs of UV and or chemical damage Replace as needed X Vacuum Release Valve The vacuum release valve is a critical system component It should be checked that it is functioning...

Page 42: ...need a week before fully temperature is reached Consider using a solar blanket or add more collectors The outlet water flow is low and the outlet water is very warm to hot during operation Potentially...

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