6 general installation
Kelvinator solar hot water systems
General installation
The collector rails, unions, straps, clamps, bolts, nuts and
washers required for the installation are included in the
collector kit(s). Suitable screws will be required to fix the
collectors to the roof.
The collectors and mounting kit are not designed to be
installed in cyclone prone areas. If installing in these areas or
other areas where a high level of windy and stormy conditions
exist, the collectors will need to be fixed accordingly. Consult
the local authorities for advice regarding any additional
mounting instructions.
Use an appropriate amount of thread sealing tape or an
approved thread sealant in between all fittings.
Solar collector location
Consideration must be given to the position of the solar
collectors in relation to the hot water storage tank. The
maximum length of the solar hot and solar cold pipes must
be 10 metres one way (20 metres total) or less to fulfil energy
efficiency rating requirements.
• The solar collectors should be installed in a shade
free position.
• The solar collectors are to be installed facing toward
the equator (i.e. North). Where this orientation is not
practical, a system facing up to 45° from the equator will
have its efficiency reduced by approximately 4%.
• Inclination of the solar collectors should be approximately
equal to 90% of the local latitude angle. Solar collectors
may be installed at the roof angle for simplicity of
installation and appearance, but must never be less than
10°. If the roof angle varies by 15° from the correct angle,
efficiency will be reduced by 10%.
Latitudes of some Australian cities
Adelaide 35°S
Port Hedland 20°S
Mildura 34°S
Canberra 35°S
Brisbane 27°S
Broken Hill 31°S
Darwin 12°S
Geraldton 28°S
Rockhampton 24°S
Cairns 17°S
Alice Springs 24°S
Hobart 42°S
Melbourne 38°S
Sydney 34°S
Townsville 19°S
Perth 32°S
If the roof is flat or has a pitch less than or greater than the
recommended angle, a pitch stand may need to be installed
to allow the collectors to be mounted correctly. This stand
may need to be purchased from a local store or made
especially for the installation.
warning
PLUMBER BE AWARE!
• Water temperatures above 50°C can cause severe burns.
• All plumbing work must be carried out by a qualified
person and in accordance with the National Plumbing
Standard AS/NZS 3500.4 and local authority
requirements.
• Ensure the roof structure is suitable to carry the full
weight of the solar collectors. Each flat panel solar
collector and its fittings weigh approximately 45kg
when full of water. Each evacuated tube solar collector
and its fittings weigh approximately 47kg when full of
water. If in doubt the roof structure should be suitably
strengthened. Consult a structural engineer.
• Do not remove the solar collector packaging
completely, prior to the installation. Remove only
sufficient packaging material to enable the installation.
Upon completion of the installation it is necessary to
leave the solar collector packaging covering the glass
on the solar collector. The packaging should not be
removed until the solar hot water system has been
commissioned and is ready for use.
• Plastic pipe MUST NOT be used, as it will not withstand
the temperature and pressure of the water generated
by the solar collectors under stagnation conditions.
The solar collectors can generate extremely high
water temperatures up to 272°C. Plastic pipe cannot
withstand these temperatures and MUST NOT be used.
Failure of plastic pipe can lead to the release of high
temperature water and cause severe water damage
and flooding.
• There must be a continuous fall in the pipe work
between the solar collectors and the solar storage tank.
The highest point of the solar cold pipe and solar hot
pipe must be where they connect to the solar collectors,
to avoid the possibility of air locks occurring in the
system.
• Safety harnesses must be used when working at heights
and on the roof. If the roof is wet or dewy it will be very
slippery and installation work should not be carried out
until it has become dry.
The solar hot and solar cold pipes between the storage
tank and solar collectors MUST BE copper only and fully
insulated with closed cell polymer insulation or similar
(minimum thickness 20mm). Thicker insulation may be
required to comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3500.4.
The insulation must be weatherproof and UV resistant. All
compression fittings must use brass or copper olives.
Note: Failure to observe this requirement may void the
warranty for freeze damage.
The insulation is essential to assist in providing freeze
protection. When installed on a metal roof, insulation will
ensure corrosion protection against water runoff over the
copper pipe, assist in avoiding accidental contact with the
pipe work and also reduce pipe heat loss.
