2
INSTALLATION
This product is designed for use in indirect
domestic solar water heating systems – other
applications, made without written factory
approval, will void the warranty.
The design and installation of solar water heating
systems should only be undertaken by qualified
individuals. Solar water heating systems involve
components and operating principles not found in
standard household plumbing installations. Often,
high operating temperatures, alternate fluids and
unusual plumbing techniques are an integral part
of solar systems. Failure to understand good
design and installation practices can affect the
health and safety of the system user. Poor
practices will also reduce system performance.
Table 1. Taco Pump Curves
This systems described in this manual are equipped
with electrical heating elements in the storage tank.
This qualifies them as solar electric storage water
heaters and as such must be installed in accordance
with federal and local codes. The location chosen for
the system should be as close as possible to the
faucets most frequently used, and the piping should
be insulated.
HEAT EXCHANGER LOOP AND SOLAR
CONNECTIONS:
The DB type systems are equipped with a wrap
around, vented double wall heat exchanger that
provides positive leak detection. DBSA systems
have an external side arm, thermo-syphon heat
exchanger that is not double walled. Both type heat
exchangers are of copper and brass construction. To
prevent dissimilar metals corrosion, use only copper
and/or brass panels, piping, and fittings in the solar
loop.
2
Flow rates through the solar heat exchange loop are
recommended to be no more than 4 gpm to limit the
effects of erosion corrosion. The system employs a
TACO 008 or 009 Bronze
circulator pump to move
the heat collection fluid from the heat exchanger to
the collector. Table 1., shows the flow rate curves for
these pumps. If the distance from the pump to the
top of the collectors is sufficient to keep the flow at or
below 4 gpm then no flow control is required. If not it
may be necessary to install flow metering devices in
the collector loop. Only a licensed, certified
contractor should do this.
This system is a DRAINBACK type using a high
strength, high temperature polymer drainback
reservoir with a capacity of 8.4 gallons. The
recommended heat transfer fluid (HTF) for these
systems is
DISTILLED WATER.
The drainback
configuration insures that there is no fluid present in
the solar collectors when the pump is turned off
thereby removing the need for anti-freeze solutions.
In the event the installer wishes to further insure the
safety of the system against freezing, a gallon of
propylene glycol can be added to the heat transfer
reservoir before the distilled water is added. See
“Parts Number List”, page 17, for recommended
Brand.
Adding propylene glycol
IS NOT REQUIRED
.
At the owner’s or installer’s request the manufacturer
can supply the proper additive. If this option is
selected then a regular method of checking the heat
transfer fluid for PH level must be implemented to
insure the protection of the heat transfer piping and
components. (See System Fluid Check, page 15.)
WARNING:
Many heat transfer fluids are
TOXIC. Be absolutely sure of the fluid being
introduced into the drainback reservoir before it
is added.
Damage to the heat transfer loops can occur when
temperatures exceed 180
0
F. The solar controller
incorporated in this system has a high limit preset at
the factory to 170
0
F. Increasing this setting will void
the warranty on the system. Do not operate the solar
system if water temperature exceeds 170
0
F. If
temperatures exceed 170
0
F shut off the solar system
and perform
“Water is to HOT”
troubleshooting
checks on page 18.
