background image

9

 

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 

PROBLEM

 

SOLUTION

 

1. My system doesn’t 
seem to be working. 
The water returning 
to my pool is not hot.

 

Turn off pool pump midday in bright sunlight for approximately 10 
minutes and feel solar collector.  It should be quite warm.  Turn pool 
pump on again for 10 minutes and feel the solar collector, which should 
have become quite cool to the touch. The difference in temperature is 
the heat being added to your swimming pool. Ensure the bypass valve 
is properly adjusted so that sufficient flow is circulating through the 
solar collector, without excessive back pressure. If you have a high 
horsepower pump, a significant portion of that water may be bypassed, 
causing the return water to seem only slightly warmer than the pool 
water.

 

2. My pool is not 
warm enough.

 

• 

A properly sized system will raise pool temperatures up to 10 degrees 

during the swimming season.

 

• 

Solar 

will not work as well when it is cloudy or rainy (you most likely won’t 

be swimming during those times). After one or two warm days, your water 
will be back up to a comfort- able temperature.

 

• 

Be sure the solar collector is getting sun the entire day and is not shaded.

 

• 

If  installed  on  a  rack,  be  sure  the  solar  collector  is  pointed  near  south 
tilted 10º to 30º.

 

• 

Be sure the inlet side of the solar collector is on the bottom. The solar 

collector will not function if fed from the top.

 

• 

Consider adding a pool blanket. A pool blanket traps the solar heat 

captured by the solar collector during the day. This is very 
complementary to the solar system.

 

• 

Consider adding an additional solar collector.

 

3. There are bubbles 
in the pool.

 

This is normal during startup because air is being purged from the solar 
collector. If air bubbles never stop, adjust the bypass valve (red handle). 
Turn the bypass valve to “Solar Off” to determine if you have an issue 
with your pool pump, and not with the solar system.

 

4. Flow seems 
greatly reduced and 
the filter pressure 
excessive.

 

Check that the plastic caps were removed from the inlet and outlet prior 
to installation. Also be sure the inlet and outlet are properly connected. 
Check the bypass valve adjustment. Ensure the pump and filter are in 
good working condition. You are getting enough flow if the panel is cool 
to the touch on a hot day.

 

5. My pool is too hot

 

You can turn you reduce your solar heat by running your pump when the 
sun goes down or bypassing the solar system with the bypass valve. 
During the hottest part of the summer, running the solar system at night 
can cool a pool to a more refreshing swimming temperature - down 
several degrees in one night if the conditions are right. Also, if your pool 
is too warm, leave the solar blanket off at night to allow more heat to 
escape.

 

6. I have a leak in 
my solar collector

 

A tube leak can be repaired if damage is located at least 2” away from the 
header.  Contact  your  local  dealer,  where  you  purchased  the  product  or 
email [email protected] for more information on how to repair the solar 
collector.

 

Summary of Contents for Solar Bear

Page 1: ...Solar Bear Solar Pool Heater for above ground swimming pools Not recommended for Inflatable Pools Installation Owner s Manual ...

Page 2: ...result in falling leading to serious injury Unless you are experienced and have proper safety equipment hire someone with the necessary experience to do the installation If you build a ground rack ensure that it does not enable children access into the pool How it works 1 Sunshine heats the solar collector 2 The swimming pool pump circulates pool water through the heated solar collector 3 Warm sol...

Page 3: ...ver or 5 16 nut driver Optional Rack Mounting Power drill with 1 8 pilot drill bit and a Phillips head bit Rigid PVC Pipe Additional Materials Required Mounting screws 1 4 x 2 long outdoor screws PVC primer PVC cement and PVC fittings 2 1 1 2 PVC tees 6 1 1 2 PVC elbows varying with installation 1 1 2 Sch 40 PVC pipe to connect solar system to pool equipment Tools required PVC pipe cutters or equi...

Page 4: ...face using the provided mounting hardware to prevent damage The solar collector inlet water coming from the pump and filter must always be at the lowest point of the solar collectors unless mounted flat They need to be accessible for annual winterizing Note Winter is considered anytime air temperature is below 40 F For ground installation consider laying the solar collectors on grass smooth gravel...

Page 5: ...Installation continued Ground Rack Example 4 ...

Page 6: ...olar collector ends Place mounting bases under mounting straps a couple inches away from both sides of the solar collector For ground installations anchor the mounting bases to the ground using groundspikes not included For ground rack installations align straps with rafter locations in order to anchor mounting bases to rafters Item 2 on pg 4 Lift mounting strap away and drive 1 4 x 2 outdoor scre...

Page 7: ... be turned completely across the pipe The air that was in the panel will bubble out into your pool for a few minutes this is normal Rigid PVC Pipe Not Included a The solar collector ends have 1 1 2 barbed hose connections You have the option to use this connection type or unthread the hose connections and use the 1 1 2 MPT threads on the ends of the solar collector Common 1 1 2 threaded pipe fitti...

Page 8: ...again After the pump is on and has run for about 5 minutes slowly turn the red handle Solar On position Watch the pressure gauge on your filter When it has increased 5 7 psi you have achieved optimum flow through the panel and should stop turning the handle In most cases the handle should never be turned completely across the pipe The air that was in the panel will bubble out into your pool for a ...

Page 9: ...t night to help cool the pool Winterization SOLAR COLLECTOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY FREEZING WATER IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WATER WILL FREEZE AT 40 F FOLLOW THIS WINTERIZATION PROCEDURE TO AVOID FREEZE DAMAGE The solar collector must be completely drained and isolated before winter to prevent freeze damage The solar collector will not be damaged by freezing conditions when properly drained and isola...

Page 10: ...a pool blanket A pool blanket traps the solar heat captured by the solar collector during the day This is very complementary to the solar system Consider adding an additional solar collector 3 There are bubbles in the pool This is normal during startup because air is being purged from the solar collector If air bubbles never stop adjust the bypass valve red handle Turn the bypass valve to Solar Of...

Page 11: ...For above ground swimming pool use only Don t forget if you need more solar heat you can always add another Solar Bear maximum of 2 per system Solar Bear www fafco com P N 09008C 4 20 ...

Reviews: