10 roof installation – flat panel collectors
Kelvinator solar hot water systems
Roof installation –
flat panel collectors
Fix the bottom straps using appropriate screws into the
roof struts or trusses making sure the bottom rail is inclining
towards the proposed outlet end of the collectors.
If installing on a tiled roof, place the tiles back into their
normal positions after fixing the straps.
Preparing and fixing the collectors
Unpack each collector and cut out the template on the back
of the cardboard packaging. Place the cut out template
on the front of each collector and fix it with tape. This is
important as the collector connections will become very
hot once exposed to solar radiation and may cause a safety
hazard or prevent the installation of the pipe work to the
collectors. Carefully lift the collectors onto the roof and
place them in position, resting against the bottom rail of the
collector mounting kit already fixed to the roof.
Before the collectors are fixed to the roof and mounting kit, they
are to be connected together forming an array (two and three
collector installations only). Two compression union fittings are
used to join two collectors together (one for top and one for the
bottom) and are supplied in the mounting kit(s).
solar collectors
collector
manifold
pipes
compression
union
Slide the fittings onto one side of the collector manifold pipe
to be joined and then push both collectors together. The
collector manifold pipes should be inserted as far as possible
into both sides of the compression union fitting.
Using two spanners, tighten each nut on the compression
union fitting one side at a time, with one spanner used to
brace the fitting in the middle. Tighten both sides of the
compression union fitting until the copper olives are firmly
sealed against both collector manifold pipes.
This standard roof mounting kit is not suitable for cyclone
prone regions. Refer to the warning in the Important Safety
Instructions section.
Unpack the collector mounting kit(s) and check that all
components are included (see mounting kit contents table).
If you are installing three collectors, join the two bottom rails
together using the rail joiner.
Slide the bottom straps onto the bottom rail so that they are
evenly spaced and place the bottom rail assembly on the roof
in the installation location decided. If installing on an iron roof,
line up the bottom straps to the existing roofing screws that
are fixing the iron roofing membrane to the struts.
If installing on a tiled roof lift up the tiles and line up the
bottom straps with the roof struts or trusses.