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W W W . S O L A R P O W E R . N E T . A U

 

Page 13 of 20 

Revision: 9h Issued: 01 August 2008 

 

HOME OWNER USER GUIDELINES 

 
1.

 

ABOUT YOUR HEATER 

 

MODEL DESCRIPTION SP4002 

 
The SolarPower split system solar water heater model SP4002 has a copper heat exchange storage tank 
installed at ground or floor level, remotely from the solar collectors.  As the sun heats the water in the 
solar  collectors  the  increase  in  temperature  activates  the  water  circulator.    The  water  circulator 
switches  on  whenever  the  water  in  the  solar  collectors  is  hotter  than  the  water  in  the  tank.    Cooler 
water from the solar storage tank is circulated to the solar collectors to be heated by the sun’s energy.  
This  process  continues  while  solar  energy  is  available  and  will  stop  if  the  water  in  the  panels  gets 
cooler than the water in the tank or if the storage tank reaches its maximum set point. 
 
The solar storage tank is suitable for either outdoor or indoor installation.  This system is not suitable 
for installation in areas that experience sub-zero temperatures, but does offer a basic freeze protection 
for the panels. If you need assistance determining whether your area is suitable for this water heater, 
please contact your local SolarPower service agent. 

 

MAINS PRESSURE LIMITS 

 
The  water  heater  is  designed  to  operate  at  mains  pressure  by  connecting  directly  to  the  mains  water 
supply. If the mains supply pressure exceeds 1100kPa, a pressure-limiting valve must be fitted before 
the inlet of the heater, rated at 600kPa. 

 

HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE? 

When  operated  in  a  domestic  situation  the  system’s  outlet  temperature  should  be  between  50

o

C  and 

80

o

C.  During  periods  of  low  solar  energy  gain,  the  water  temperature  can  be  boosted  by  the 

thermostatically controlled electric booster heating unit.  
 
The water heater features a tradesperson adjustable thermostat.  This requires a licensed tradesperson 
to make any temperature adjustments. The thermostat is located inside the upper electrical cover.  

SAFETY  WARNING:

 

Ensure  all  sources  of  electricity  are  disconnected  from  the  unit  before 

removing either of the electrical covers. For reasons of safety and economy we advise you adjust the 
thermostat  to  the  lowest  setting  which  meets  your  needs.  Not  only  will  a  lower  thermostat  setting 
increase the amount of solar energy collected, but it will also reduce the chances of scalding in houses 
not equipped with tempered hot water. 

 

HOTTER WATER INCREASES THE RISK OF SCALD INJURY 

We  recommend,  and  it  may  also  be  required  by  regulations,  that  an  approved  temperature  limiting 
device be fitted into the hot water piping to all bathrooms and ensuites.  This will keep the hot water 
temperature below 50ºC at those outlets.  The risk of scald injury will be reduced and still allow hotter 
water to the kitchen and laundry. 

 

SAFTEY WARNING 

This water heater is not intended to be operated, adjusted or tampered with by young children or infirm 
persons.  Young children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the water heater.  

 

Summary of Contents for SP4002

Page 1: ... SP4002 Split System This manual uses the following conventions and symbols to highlight points of note throughout the manual Read this manual before you start to use this equipment SAFETY WARNING The manual contains important safety instructions WARNING Failure to follow the instructions in this manual can cause serious injury and or equipment failure GENERAL NOTICE ...

Page 2: ...List Item No Qty Description 1 1 SP4002 400L storage tank with pump attached 2 2 SP225 solar collector 3 2 2610mm L x 38mm W x 25mm H x 1 6mm T Upper mounting rail 3 units required for Cyclone areas 4 1 Accessory bag contains brackets screws and assorted plumbing fittings for full panel fit off 5 1 Installation Owner s Manual Please check to make sure all these components are included with the kit...

Page 3: ...rail as a guide mark and drill the roof material with a 5mm pilot hole This may not be needed for tin roofs as the screws supplied are self tapping 5 For tile roofs drill the tiles using a 12 14mm concrete drill bit paying careful attention for any cracking in the tiles Replace any cracked tiles with a new tile before continuing 6 Once the holes have been drilled place a fill the hole with silicon...

Page 4: ...alve needs to be commissioned and checked to ensure the valve top is opened and that when the pump operates the valve seals properly This can be done by listening to the valve to ensure air is not entering the pipe work Let the pump run for 3 5 minutes if air is still bubbling into the tank at this stage the valve is not sealing Place the Flow Control Disc into the return line tank connection to p...

Page 5: ...ion check the panels and associated plumbing for leaks while the pump is operating Leaks above the water line of the tank will suck air in rather than leak water out When checking for leaks if you can hear air bubbling in the tank after the pump has been running for a while more than 5mins it is likely that air is leaking in somewhere in the piping COLLECTOR INSTALLATION IN CYCLONE AREAS The Solar...

Page 6: ... and service in mind The panels should be located as close as possible to the storage tank CLEARANCES Allow adequate room to work with tools A minimum of 25mm clearance around the water heater is required An additional 30mm is required for relief valve removal 80mm for access cover removal and 400mm for element removal You should be able to read the information on the rating plate and all informat...

Page 7: ...ing valves are not supplied with Water Heaters PUMP LIMITS The SP 4002 system has a head limit of 6 meters A different model pump available from SOLARPOWER will be required to maintain water flow through the solar collectors for heads greater than 6 meters TANK WATER SUPPLY SolarPower water heaters are not recommended for use with a tank water supply unless a pressure pump has been fitted Minimum ...

Page 8: ... 2 Storey Homes in some installations may require the fitting of a non return valve in the solar line after the pump SolarPower recommends the installation of a inch swing check valve in the solar pump line to prevent the backflow of air from the panels into the pump which can cause cavitation of the pump the next time it starts Dual spring check valves are not to be installed as the pump does not...

Page 9: ...r heater a barrel union must always be provided at the cold water inlet solar hot water inlet and hot water outlet on the water heater to allow for disconnection of the water heater The pipe work must be cleared of foreign matter before connection All pipe fittings must be assembled using two spanners do not exert excessive amounts of torque on the pipes or water heater fittings ...

Page 10: ...ed the pipe work downstream of the relief valve be capable of carrying water exceeding 95ºC Failure to observe this precaution may result in damage to pipe work and property Should this pipe become obstructed eg squashed kinked or blocked then the water heater may be damaged due to internal pressure 4 CONNECTIONS ELECTRICAL NOTE Power must not be turned on until the solar storage tank is filled wi...

Page 11: ...running 2 short flashes Sensor fault pump off As this LED output is shared with the communications output when the LED is on continuously there will be a short blink every 2 seconds This small perturbation lasts for approximately 31ms Temperature Deg C 5 0 5 25 40 60 80 100 110 Resistance K Ohms 42 49 32 75 25 45 10 5 32 2 49 1 26 0 682 0 513 This chart outlines the resistance of temperature probe...

Page 12: ... has had time to warm up as the air bubbles can cause spurting from the taps Also check the Solar piping for leaks leaks will significantly decrease the performance of the heater Check pump speed is set to HIGH for a two story house and MEDIUM for a single story house Complete SolarPower Installation Report Sheet and return to SolarPower for the REC s Claim to be approved Switch on the electrical ...

Page 13: ...00kPa a pressure limiting valve must be fitted before the inlet of the heater rated at 600kPa HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE When operated in a domestic situation the system s outlet temperature should be between 50o C and 80o C During periods of low solar energy gain the water temperature can be boosted by the thermostatically controlled electric booster heating unit The water heater features a trad...

Page 14: ...g unit not operating Inspect the isolating switch marked HOT WATER in the meter box and ensure it is turned ON Check the electrical tariff to which the unit is connected If the unit is connected to an Off Peak tariff remember heating hours are restricted Collectors shaded If trees or other objects shade the solar collectors or if the glass is dirty the effectiveness of the solar collectors will be...

Page 15: ...owing points Is the relief valve running excessively Are you using more hot water than you think Is there a leaking hot water pipe dripping hot water tap etc Even a small leak will waste a surprising quantity of hot water and energy Replace faulty tap washers and have your plumber rectify any leaking pipe work Are you using the booster heating unit properly Consider recent changes to your hot wate...

Page 16: ...ese devices are fitted and are in working order The WARRANTY can become void if relief valve or thermostat is tampered with or if the installation is not in accordance with these instructions SOLAR COLLECTOR GLASS Ensure the glass on your solar collectors is free of dust salt spray or any other matter which may reduce the effectiveness of the solar collectors Hose or wash the collector glass with ...

Page 17: ...eveland Redland Bay Point Lookout Ormiston Mount Cotton Alexandra Hills Victoria Point Birkdale Capalaba And Morton Bay islands and Bundaberg Moore Park Bargara and Yeppoon Notwithstanding the foregoing comment this does not imply or infer in any way that the water mentioned in the above locations does not meet drinking water requirements and is safe to drink NOTE WATER HEATERS NOT INSTALLED IN AC...

Page 18: ...y be implied or imposed on the Company by virtue of the Trade Practices Act 1974 or any other statute rule or regulation except for the extent to which the Company is lawfully entitled SolarPower warrants the SP4002 SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM hereinafter called the SYSTEM against manufacturing defects faulty materials and or workmanship upon the following terms A Twelve 12 Month Comprehensive Warranty...

Page 19: ...here it is found that the SYSTEM does not suffer a defect where the complaint is related to solid matter lodging under valve seats where there is a failure of water supplies electrical supplies or the result of extreme water pressure or thermal input 7 This warranty does not cover the SYSTEM where the SYSTEM is located in a position that does not comply with either the SolarPower installation inst...

Page 20: ...h Issued 01 August 2008 NOTE 2 Storey homes may require a single check valve fitted after the pump on the solar cold line to prevent cavitation in the pump DO NOT use dual check valves for this purpose as the pump will not have enough pressure to open the valve ...

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