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2.

Airflow through the PCS3 is important.  Do not obstruct air going in or out of the unit.

  

3.

Recirculating the air within the attic works well for heat transfer.  Locate the PCS3 within
the middle 1/3 of the attic.  Do not locate near an end wall where the unit’s airflow will
become obstructed [finned intake side] or short circuited [air discharge side]. Short cir-
cuiting means that discharged cooler air reflects back into the finned intake side of unit. 

  

4.

Heat is drawn into the coil or finned side and cooler air is discharged from the fan side
[the two blower openings].  If the PCS3 is located off to one side the attic’s center 1/3rd,
make sure the coil side of the unit is facing the longest portion of the attic. 

 

5.

You can suspend the PCS3 on a platform using cargo straps or small chains. You can also
allow the PCS3 to sit on a platform that is connected to the attic structure. We recom-
mend that a one inch piece of foam be placed under the PCS3 and that a smitty pan be
used as a second layer of leak protection. This is actual plumbing code in some locales.

  

6.

The attic sensor can be cooled by the air discharge of the PCS3.  Locate the attic sensor at
the peak of the attic and out of the airflow of the unit.  This prevents erratic on and off 
cycling caused by the cooling effect of the discharge air.  Note: The discharge air of the
PCS3 [blower side of unit] can run 20-30 degrees fahrenheit cooler than the intake air
[coil finned side of unit].  All performance criteria was developed on the basis that the at-
tic temperature sensor would sense the PEAK attic temperature.  That is the temperature
at the very apex of the attic where the roof sections join.  If this sensor is lowered from
the actual attic peak, heat transfer performance can be dramatically reduced.

 

7.  The pool water sensor can be influenced by the sun and rain.  Shelter the pool water 

sensor as much as is possible.  It can even be insulated if necessary with fiberglass or 
other materials.  Midnight rain “cooling” the pool sensor can fake the solar control into
thinking the pool needs heat when it doesn’t.  An exposed pool sensor might also cause
erratic on and off conditions if not protected (sheltered or insulated) properly.

 

8.

The ground can “SINK” heat away from pipes going to and from the PCS3.  Insulate or
wrap all underground pipes so dirt (the ground) does not contact the pipes directly.  
Simple bubble wrap over the pipes that prevent the “wet ground” from coming into direct
contact with the horizontal buried pipes is usually sufficient.  It is not necessary to 
insulate vertical above ground pipes.

  

9.

Use 2" pvc pipe to reduce friction losses and on all pools with a pool pump greater than
one horsepower in size. This is especially important for long pipe runs and large pumps. 

10.

If you use the recirculating freeze protection in the GL235, it will disable the optional
leak detection float of the PCS3 and prevent the pump and/or the PCS3 from turning off.

11.

The mechanical stress caused by unsupported pipes can crack glued pvc joints. Support
all pipes in and outside of the attic with straps or C-clamps that keep the weight of the
pipes off of all joints and union connections. Do not allow the pipe to sag in the attic. 

 

12.  If excessive attic heat is a local concern, CPVC pipe can be used instead of pvc pipe.  All 

external PVC piping should be painted to avoid deteriation from sunlight.  Flex pvc pipe
can be used in the attic to avoid cementing joints in a closed and confined area.  This will
provide a continuous length of pipe inside the attic without joints except at the unit.

- 3 -

Summary of Contents for PCS3

Page 1: ...Installation and Operating Instructions SolarAttic Solar Pool Heater Pool Convection System Three U S Patents 5 014 770 5 452 710 5 746 653 SolarAttic Model PCS3...

Page 2: ...This page intentionally left blank...

Page 3: ...m 6 7 Basic Plumbing Diagram 8 Power The PCS3 9 Internal Wiring Diagram 10 Float Wiring Diagram 11 Goldline GL235 Solar Control 12 Goldline GL235 Circuit Board 13 Automation Wiring Diagram 14 Goldline...

Page 4: ...tion strikes the roof and reaches the attic through a process called conduction The SolarAttic pool heater is physically located inside the attic and then transfers this solar radiation from the attic...

Page 5: ...wered from the actual attic peak heat transfer performance can be dramatically reduced 7 The pool water sensor can be influenced by the sun and rain Shelter the pool water sensor as much as is possibl...

Page 6: ...VERED BY THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY ASSEMBLE THE VALVES AND PIPES BEFORE ACTUAL WELDING TO MAKE SURE THE JOINTS FIT PROPERLY THIS INSURES YOUR PARTS ARE READY FOR PERMANENT CEMENTING PLUMBING CAUTION...

Page 7: ...BLE AND DOES NOT SMELL OF CHLORINE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT POOL CHEMISTRY CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL POOL CHEMICAL DEALER IF YOUR POOL DOES NOT HAVE THESE ATTRIBUTES BUILDING CODE CAUTION INSTALL ALL EQUIPMENT...

Page 8: ...mating pvc female fittings to the copper pipe threads we recommend using silicone sealant and allowing the joints to properly cure for 24 hours before placing them into use Do not use teflon tape Loca...

Page 9: ...ort systems located far away from the attic can be relocated closer by extending the pool s support piping Extremely long pipe runs may require added horsepower from the pool s pump If your pump is in...

Page 10: ...I I I IN N N N R R R RE E E ET T T TU U U UR R R RN N N N L L L LI I I IN N N NE E E ES S S S PUMP S S S ST T T TR R R RA A A AI I I IN N N NE E E ER R R R I I I IN N N NT T T TA A A AK K K KE E E E P...

Page 11: ...Note Place the attic sensor above the PCS3 out of the air flow and at the apex or peak of the attic The discharge air of the PCS3 can cool the temperature sensor down causing erratic cycling on off of...

Page 12: ...on this speed If the blower just hums this motor starting capacitor will have to be replaced Turn the power off remove the electrical cover panel and replace the capacitor Ensure the new capacitor is...

Page 13: ...pret the open circuit as a cold attic and shut down the PCS3 An open float also results in a flashing check sensor red light on the Goldline GL235 solar control The PCS3 must operate in the AUTO mode...

Page 14: ...Goldline GL235 Solar Control 12...

Page 15: ...Goldline GL235 Circuit Board 13...

Page 16: ...2 No connection 3 115 vac Hot Side from timer black 4 115 vac Neutral from timer white 5 115 vac Hot Side from timer to GL 235 Relay black 6 115 vac Hot Side from Relay to SolarAtttic Outlet black Ne...

Page 17: ...15 Goldline Wiring Option 220 VAC...

Page 18: ...llations maximum heat extraction is limited by human intervention or semi automated devices like switches or timers However heat extraction can be easily maximized and automated by way of an optional...

Page 19: ...need to be changed Note This is also a very rare occurrence 6 Some evidence of a small amount of condensate will be present in the form of a water stain in the interior of the PCS3 base pan This is n...

Page 20: ...amount of residual water that is trapped within the bottom of the coil The non toxic RV antifreeze available at local hardware stores dilutes any residual water and prevents winter freeze damage Winte...

Page 21: ...ssibility of a period of one or more days when temperatures below freezing are occurring or being forecasted by prevailing weather OR you may be simply late in getting around to winterizing your pool...

Page 22: ...e entire assembly can also be completely dismantled using only a few tools a a portable drill or electric drill b a 5 16 hex head bit c a No 2 phillips screwdriver or drill bit and d two 1 2 socket or...

Page 23: ...e 6 Internal PCS3 blower motor thermal cutoff Wait 15 minutes for it to cool off then retry 7 Defective PCS3 power cord or plug 8 Defective Motor starting capacitor 9 Defective Motor 10 Defective Sola...

Page 24: ...rnal limit switch needs adjusting 2 Internal cam needs adjusting 3 Internal mechanical stop needs adjusting 4 Defective valve operator Replace TEST Reverse the VOR Switch Turn it from ON1 to the ON2 p...

Page 25: ...disconnected sensor wires 1 Poor solar weather No Sunshine 2 Pump Timer out of sync with solar energy collection time causing pool to cool too much time 3 Water flow valves to PCS3 are shut off or re...

Page 26: ...waterfall It masks performance of PCS3 or offsets the heat gains of the PCS3 Waterfalls on a pool can have a dramatic cooling effect on pool temperature 1 Pool water temperature sensor exposed to coo...

Page 27: ...size of the filter pump 3 Slave the filter pump to the GL235 power relay us ing an external relay as shown online and also use a minimum runtime timer This will ensure that only the minimum filtration...

Page 28: ...nd the products they manufacture receive regular ETL safety reviews during each year to maintain product safety certifications When you buy the PCS3 you can have full confidence that the SolarAttic pr...

Page 29: ...Single Speed Noise 62 db A weighted 67 db C weighted 10 feet Plumbing Connections 2 Male Pipe Threads Pressure Drop 4 6 PSI typical Air Flow Rate 2600 SCFM Water Flow Rate Range 15 65 GPM Optimal Wate...

Page 30: ...They are waffled in appear ance and not straight Fin bending that has been combed with a fin tool does not affect performance and is not considered a manufacturing defect Our obligation under this war...

Page 31: ...This page intentionally left blank...

Page 32: ...5 West Veum Appleton Minnesota 55311 www solarattic com 2003 2016 All Rights Reserved Version 1 5 ETL Contents subject to change Original Appleton Minnesota Manufacturing Crew in 2003 Made In The U S...

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