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26

CONNECTING THE FEED & RETURN LINES TO THE FILTRATION SYSTEM.

13. Connecting the Feed & Return 

 

Lines to the Filtration System. 

- Cont.

Fig. 13.1 on page 25 shows how a typical eco-SPARK solar pool heating system is plumbed into existing pool plumbing. 

This drawing may not be just like every system you encounter; the feed and return plumbing on a solar system may be 

reversed, or it may be a different type of filter, or it may have additional equipment such as a chlorinator, pool cleaner, 

gas heater, etc. It may also have a long run of plumbing from the pool equipment to the solar collectors.

Whether the system is like this or not, Fig. 13.1 will help you understand the flow of water from the pool, through the 

pump, filter, solar system, and back to the pool. Study the diagram and become familiar with the valves needed to 

connect the solar collectors to existing plumbing.

Notice that the first check valve is plumbed in after the filter. This prevents the filter from being backwashed by the  

water draining down from the panels when the pump shuts off. The 3-way valve either diverts the water to the solar 

system or directly back to the pool. This 3-way valve should be a non-positive seal valve. This enables the water in the 

solar system to drain back to the pool when the pump shuts off. The 2-way valves on the solar feed and return lines allow 

you to isolate (completely shut off ) the solar system.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Study the plumbing after the filter and decide where you are going to install the check valve and the CPVC tee fitting 

(see Fig. 13.1). If you have auxiliary equipment, you may need to re-plumb a portion of your existing plumbing so this 

equipment is located after the solar system as indicated in Fig. 13.1. 

Cut the pipe after the filter where you have decided to locate the check valve and where your solar return  pipe will 

attach to your existing pool return line. If your pool plumbing is 1-½”, and you are running 2” plumbing to your solar 

system, you should be using 2” valves and piping for all of your new plumbing. Therefore you will need (2) 2”x1-½” 

reducer bushings to adapt your new 2” fittings to the existing 1-½” pipe. 

As discussed earlier in this manual, it is a good idea to assemble all pipe and fittings before cementing them just in 

case you make an error. Install a check valve on the pipe coming out of the filter. Be sure that the  arrow showing flow 

direction is pointed away from the filter. 

The 3-way valve will be installed next. It may come right next to the check valve, or you may have to use some pipe 

and fittings to locate it off the main line. As stated earlier, use as few 90-degree elbows as possible. 

5.

6.

7.
8.

Install the 2-way valve to the solar feed line and then connect the other side of the 2-way valve to one of the ports 

on the 3-way valve. 

Install the (2-1410-023) vacuum breaker about 4’ up the feed line and above the top of the filter using a CPVC tee 

and reducer bushing. Face the tee to the outside as shown in Fig. 13.1. Wrap the threads of the vacuum breaker with 

Teflon tape and screw it into the 3/4” threaded reducer bushing. 

Install the second 2-way valve to the solar return line. 

Determine now where to locate the CPVC tee fitting. The tee may be located right next to the 3-way valve or elsewhere 

depending on your system. Connect the tee fitting first to the solar return line, then to the 3-way valve, and finally 

to the pool return line. 

INSTALLATION MANUAL eco-SPARK™ SOLAR POOL HEATER

©

2015 UMA Solar

Summary of Contents for eco-SPARK

Page 1: ...re A little time spent understanding the system and its parts will assure a successful trouble free installation CAUTION SAFETY COMES FIRST When working on or around your roof or pool please take care...

Page 2: ...epresentative for assistance As the installing contractor you are responsible for exercising good judgment when installing eco SPARK systems to protect the long term integrity of the collectors as wel...

Page 3: ...ble panels should be installed so they are accessible without being walked on Walking on the collectors should only take place when absolutely necessary Depending upon your specific job you will need...

Page 4: ...ecommended flow rate necessary for the collectors being installed The recommended rates are Generally a 1 horsepower pump is sufficient for a standard pool solar system unless there is an unusually lo...

Page 5: ...is not possible to achieve complete automatic drain down manual drain down valves should be installed in appropriate places in the plumbing or at the end of the bottom feed header Instead of installin...

Page 6: ...45 003 row spacer kit is only required for certain installations The 2 3020 022 pressure testing kit is used at the end of the installation to test the system while the 2 3020 025 repair tool kit is u...

Page 7: ...t Tool 1 2 1410 008 Chisel 1 OTHER INSTALLATION COMPONENTS 2 1410 023 Vacuum Breaker 2 2015 010 PVC 2 Check Valve 2 2000 015 Pipe Clamp 2 2015 064 Two Way Ball Valve 1 5060 011 1 4 x 4 S S Lag bolt 2...

Page 8: ...ydraulics FIG 6 1 SINGLE ROW FIG 6 2 DOUBLE ROW FIG 6 3 SINGLE ROW SPLIT FEED END CAPS END CAP RETURN END CAP END CAP RETURN RETURN FEED END CAP FEED END CAP FEED END CAP END CAP END CAP Fig 6 1 SINGL...

Page 9: ...EED Shown below are the some common solar collector installations 6 Solar Panel Layouts Hydraulics Cont FIG 6 4 SERIES FEED FIG 6 4 SERIES FEED FIG 6 5 SERIES PARALLEL FEED FEED FEED RETURN RETURN END...

Page 10: ...equire a combination of different size collectors to best cover the roof area 6 Solar Panel Layouts Hydraulics Cont PANEL SIZE SLES 8 1 x 8 SLES 10 5 1 x10 5 SLES 30 4 x8 SLES 40 4 x10 5 MODEL MAXIMUM...

Page 11: ...s consult your eco SPARK representative for the proper pipe size or alternative series plumbing techniques which will reduce the necessary flow rates on larger systems Plumbing runs should be as short...

Page 12: ...try where freezing conditions occur The eco SPARK solar pool panels are warranted against internal freezing when installed to allow for drain down To allow for the water to drain a vacuum breaker 2 14...

Page 13: ...ay around the gasket Connect the two headers by inserting the rubber gasket O ring into the opposite header groove and fitting the ends of both headers into the PPC plastic panel clamp Place the botto...

Page 14: ...to tighten the latch grip by squeezing it with moderate force until you hear a click sound and it seats flush so it cannot slide out of its position Move your finger over the wide end of the latch to...

Page 15: ...chalk line Connect the top headers of the collectors together using the PPC plastic panel clamp by following the procedures described in the section of this manual on connecting solar collectors toget...

Page 16: ...m mounting pads After all collectors are anchored to the roof connect the bottom headers together with additional plastic panel clamps 8 Mounting the Solar Panels Using eco SPARK Mounts Cont The S Roo...

Page 17: ...and contracts in correlation to the weather conditions When it s hot outside the collector is longer and when it s cold the collector is shorter While installing the S Roof Mounting Pad the installer...

Page 18: ...SUNSTAR MOUNTS 17 Fig 8 5 INSTALLATION MANUAL eco SPARK SOLAR POOL HEATER 1 4 ANCHOR SCREW PER ECO SPARK MOUNT ECO SPARK TOP MOUNT 2 PER COLLECTOR ECO SPARK COLLECTOR ECO SPARK BOTTOM MOUNT 2 PER COL...

Page 19: ...ng or old mat systems and attach them to the roof with roof sealant or an adhesive NOTE Install lower header based on temperature at the time of installation NOTE Typical residential mounting plan sho...

Page 20: ...ARK Mounts Cont Fig 8 7 Fig 8 8 Fig 8 9 Intermediate Strap Mount TYP End Strap Mount TYP eco SPARK Clamp 2 minimum TYP Woven Nylon Strap TYP See sched For Req QTY 4 0 TYP eco SPARK collector TYP End C...

Page 21: ...prior to mounting the panel This eliminates heat loss and stress created by wind blowing on the back side of the rack However if this wind is eliminated by other site specific conditions e g windbreak...

Page 22: ...onnectors to the headers of the collectors to be connected with a 2 1410 004 plastic panel clamp using the same procedures outlined in the section on connecting solar collectors together on page 12 Cu...

Page 23: ...be glued directly into the socket or a 2 CPVC PVC 90 to be glued on the outside CPVC or multi purpose glue should be used when attaching CPVC fittings or pipe to the pipe connectors to provide for a...

Page 24: ...as possible Once you are satisfied with the plumbing arrangement go back and cement all of your joints together using the good plumbing techniques explained in the Getting Started section Secure long...

Page 25: ...he photo insert center the return line connection in detail The above photo right shows the feed line attached to the bottom header and an end cap attached to the top header NOTE Be sure to support al...

Page 26: ...15 066 Ball Valve 2 2015 019 TO SOLAR COLLECTOR COOL CPVC or PVC pipe CPVC pipe only RETURN FROM SOLAR COLLECTOR WARM TO ROOF SENSOR VALVE ACTUATOR WIRE Install before this point From pool Cool Return...

Page 27: ...sting plumbing so this equipment is located after the solar system as indicated in Fig 13 1 Cut the pipe after the filter where you have decided to locate the check valve and where your solar return p...

Page 28: ...installation take time to clean the CPVC PVC pipe Use a clean rag pour CPVC PVC cleaner on it and then wipe the dirt and identification marks off the pipe Do this on all exposed pipe This is also goo...

Page 29: ...to allow the pool pump to completely fill the solar system If the pool pump is not operational shut off the ball valve on the feed line and use the garden hose to fill the system Once the solar system...

Page 30: ...llectors usually 10 00 AM to 4 00 PM but his will vary with geographical location and time of year Be sure all collector binder clips are evenly spaced along collector length When the solar system is...

Page 31: ...nto any problems with your installation or have any future problems call your eco SPARK representative If you have carefully followed the steps in this manual you now have an efficient professional lo...

Page 32: ...and can see air bubbles in the trap run water over the lid and each joint individually to see if the air bubbles will clear up using a garden hose If there is not a clear lid listen to pump noise for...

Page 33: ...w Install issue A If the system is a single row array and there is adequate flow use the 2 2015 019 on the return line to throttle the flow back to produce more back pressure on the system This will e...

Page 34: ...prevent future damage 2 Birds or squirrels have damaged the tubes Contactdistributorforarepairkitandadjust the spacer bars to prevent future damage THE 3 WAY OR BALL VALVE WILL NOT TURN Internal parts...

Page 35: ...l should be less than 10 gallons per minute Adjust the 3 way valve to bypass some of the water 2 Seasonal normal operation In the cooler months of the year or on cool partly cloudy days temperature ri...

Page 36: ...ow instructions for repair Utilizing the repair chisel cut the damaged riser as close as possible to the header carefully avoiding damaging adjacent riser The sloped side of the chisel should face awa...

Page 37: ...ired length and slide it over the stub of the poly insert for a straight eye pleasing fit REPEAT steps 1 4 for the other end of the riser tube At the opposite header 17 Repair Procedures Cont INSTALLA...

Page 38: ...e and engineering processes were all carefully scrutinized and found deserving of ISO 9001 2008 The solar energy system described by this manual when properly installed and maintained meets or exceeds...

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