10 troubleshooting
Kelvinator solar hot water systems
Troubleshooting
Problem
Possible solutions
It takes a long time to get hot water
at the fixtures
The time it takes to deliver hot water from your storage tank to your fixtures
depends on the length and size of the piping between the two and also the flow
rate of the water to the fixture. A longer distance, larger pipe diameter or slower
flow rate will all affect how long it takes hot water to reach your fixture. This is
part of the normal operation of the hot water system and not a product fault.
The water is cold or not hot enough
If a large amount of hot water has been used throughout the day, or the
system has been newly commissioned or drained, it may take some time
for the water temperature inside the tank to reach a normal level (electric
boosted only).
Check that power is available to the solar controller and the green led marked
'SOLAR' is lit
Check that power is turned on to the storage tank element. If the tank
element is installed on an off- peak power supply, power may only be available
at certain times of the day (electric boosted).
Check that there is power and gas available to the gas continuous flow water
heater (gas boosted only).
Check there is enough flow coming from the fixture to start the gas
continuous flow water heater (gas boosted only).
Check for cross plumbing between the cold water and hot water lines if there
has been new plumbing carried out recently.
If the tank element is installed on off peak, check with your power provider
that you are on extended off peak or off peak 2 tariff. This appliance is not
designed for installation on standard off peak or off peak 1.
The water is too hot
Check with a thermometer if the water temperature in the bathroom is
over 50°C, if so the tempering valve may have an incorrect setting or be
malfunctioning. Please call a service technician.
Water is discharging from the relief
valve drainage pipe
It’s normal for a small amount of water to discharge during heating to allow
for hot water expansion. However if the relief valve appears to be continually
leaking water, activate the relief valve lever once or twice and then check
to see if the leak stops. If the relief valve is still leaking this could indicate a
problem with your solar hot water system, please call a service technician.
The solar controller red LED is flashing
Check that the temperature sensors are installed, undamaged and connected
to the solar controller.
The pipework to and from the collectors may be blocked or have air inside it.
Cycle power to the solar controller and see if the LED's return to normal. If the
red LED begins to flash again, call a service technician.
The gas continuous flow water heater
appears to be malfunctioning (gas
boosted systems only)
Check the user manual supplied with the gas continuous flow water heater
for more specific troubleshooting solutions. If the unit is still malfunctioning,
call a service technician.
Rumbling or hammering sound coming
from the hot water system
This happens when very hot water that has flashed into steam (under
stagnation conditions) comes into contact with cooler water and is part of
the normal operation of the hot water system.
Hot water system is suspected to be
frozen
If there has recently been very frosty conditions and you suspect your hot
water system has become frozen, first ensure power is available to the hot
water system and then call service technician to inspect it.
Steam is coming from the vent valve
installed on the outlet of the collectors
Under no-load conditions the water in the collectors will not be circulating
and may flash into steam. This steam may vent off as part of the no-load
protection in order to avoid pressure building up inside the collectors. This is
part of the normal operation of the hot water system and not a product fault.
Before calling for service, please check the following:
