flush impurities from the collector loop.
At this point it is recommended to run water through
the system to remove any solder flux residue or other
impurities that were introduced into the system during
plumbing. Water soluble flux should have been used
when soldering pipe joints in the collector loop to facili-
tate system flushing. Set the switch on the side of the
SunEarth control to the “ON” position see (fig 16). Al-
low the pump to circulate water through the system for
15-20 minutes. While the pump is running check the
entire collector loop for leaks and ensure that there is
adequate flow.
4.14.4 STEP 4 – Check that Collectors are Draining
Back.
Turn the controller back to the ‘OFF’ position see (fig
16). Allow time for the collectors and piping to drain
into the drainback reservoir. Observe the water level
in the drainback reservoir by means of the site glass,
visual flow meter or by checking with a dowel rod. The
water level in the drainback reservoir should return to
the original fill level after a few minutes. If the water
level does not return to the original fill level, the sys-
tem is not draining properly and may freeze. If water
level does not return to original level, check that the
collectors are tilted with riser tubes at 15
°
or more and
that all piping is sloped to drain at 2% or more.
4.14.5 STEP 5 - Drain the system to remove impurities.
Drain the cycled water out of the array by placing the
hose attached to the solar flushing combination valve
drain port (COMPONENT #11) into a service drain or
bucket. Open the solar flushing combination valve
drain port (COMPONENT #11) and completely drain the
water from the system.
CAUTION: THIS WATER MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT!
4.14.6 STEP 6 - Refill the system with water.
Connect a washing ma-
chine hose to the solar
flushing combination valve
drain port (COMPONENT
#11) and to a utility pump.
Open solar flushing combi-
n a t i o n
v a l v e s
(COMPONENT #11 & 35)
and then slowly pump de-
ionized water into the sys-
tem until the water level is
within 1 inch from the top
of the sight glass or flow meter. Run the system pump
and verify proper operation and that the water level
returns to “set point” on the sight glass or flow meter
when the system drains (circulating pump off).
5) SYSTEM START-UP PROCEDURES
Throughout the installation procedures outlined in Sec-
tion 4, emphasis has been placed on the proper plumb-
ing and wiring of the primary system components. The
solder and threaded connections also have been visual-
ly inspected for leaks and the solar loop piping has
been cleaned and charged. Having successfully com-
pleted these tasks it is time to set your system to run
automatically.
Set the SunEarth control to the ‘ON’ position. Listen
until you can hear water flowing through the solar loop
return piping from the collector.
Place your ear next to the pump and listen for signs of
cavitation. Cavitation sounds like sand running through
the pump and is caused by the implosion of small air
bubbles hitting the pump impeller. Cavitation can dra-
matically reduce the life of the pump and the flow set-
ting valve (COMPONENT #22) should be used to elimi-
nate this condition. If you hear cavitation when the
valve is wide open, slowly close the valve until the
sound is gone.
5.1 Start Automatic System Operation
Set the SunEarth control to the ‘AUTO’ position see (fig
16). Your system is now set to run automatically
whenever solar energy is available to be collected.
6) TWO MODES OF SYSTEM OPERATION
Both single and double tank Torrent Drainback systems
are designed to accommodate two separate modes of
operation. Your system can either (1) serve as a pre-
heater to your conventional electric or gas water heater
or (2) be bypassed entirely and run 100% on utility
power during inclement weather or when maintenance
is required.
Single Tank Operating Instructions:
6.1 Solar Preheat:
Leave the circuit breaker on to your solar storage tank
and set the tank thermostat to the lowest acceptable
temperature setting. The electric resistance heating
element will come on only when the tank temperature
falls below the thermostatic set point. If the solar
heated water entering the tank is warmer than the
thermostatic set point, the electric heating element will
not come on. If you have a water heater timer, you
may preset the timer to turn the heating element on
and off at specified times throughout the day if desired.
6.2 100% Utility Power:
Leave the circuit breaker to your solar storage tank on.
In this mode of operation you must turn off the circula-
tion pump. To turn the pump off, change the opera-
tional setting from automatic to “off”. Failure to turn
off the pump can quickly damage the pump motor,
shaft, bearings or impeller.
Two Tank System Instructions:
6.3 Solar Preheat:
Follow the instructions for the single tank system for
setting the thermostat, heating element or gas fired
water heater or tankless gas water heater for automat-
ic operation. Solar preheat mode operates with the
collectors heating the solar storage tank and supplying
TABLE 4—Design Flow Rates
ARRAY
Flow Rate
(GPM)
1 EP/EC-40
1.2
2 EP/EC-21
1.2
2 EP/EC-24
1.6
2-EP/EC-32
1.9
Summary of Contents for CASCADE 2
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