3. Things to Remember.
THINGS TO REMEMBER.
-
3
NO TWO INSTALLATIONS ARE EXACTLY ALIKE BUT
THERE ARE SOME GENERAL BITS OF TECHNICAL
INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL FIND HELPFUL IN
THE FIELD.
ROOF ORIENTATION
- Ideally, collectors should
be located on a south facing or flat roof or on an
elevated ground mounted rack facing south. The next
best orientation is west and finally east. Collectors
should never be installed facing north in the Northern
hemisphere.
COLLECTOR CONFIGURATIONS
- There are many
ways to configure a solar array. The most common and
preferred is in a continuous row. The recommended limit
to the number of collectors that can be installed this way
to achieve even flow throughout the array is (12) SLES-
30’s, (10)SLES-40’s.
This maximum guideline can be exceeded if there is a
high flow or substantial back pressure on the system
which will force adequate flow through every collector.
When you have more than the maximum, you should
either use the double row layout or the single row split
feed layout. Of course, the double row can also be used
for smaller installations when space is a problem. (Fig.
6.2, page 7).
If you have to split up an array due to a skylight or change
in roof level or direction, the layout will be similar to
single row split feed layout.
PUMP HORSEPOWER
- The horsepower of your
swimming pool filtration pump must be adequate to
supply the solar system with enough water to provide
the recommended 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
long pipe run, a high roof or a large number of collectors.
If you are not sure what your pump flow rate is, consult
your eco-SPARK representative for the pump’s flow
characteristics. To limit or balance collector flow, a
series/parallel plumbing configuration may be used.
PLUMBING
- It is important that you use the proper
size CPVC/PVC pipe for the size of the solar array. Under
sizing the pipe will produce too much restriction to the
water flow and unnecessarily reduce the flow rate to the
collectors. Use the following as a guide:
Plumbing runs should be as short as possible and the
“hot return” pipe should have the shortest run to reduce
the potential heat loss in the pipe. Horizontal pipes
should be supported with a pipe clamp at least every
4 feet to prevent sagging. The pipe clamp used on pipe
runs across a roof should be ½” larger than the pipe
diameter to allow for expansion and contraction. Pipe
clamps should be used on vertical or horizontal runs on
the side of a building and should be the same size as the
pipe diameter to prevent movement.
PLUMBING NOTE:
PVC pipe may be used on the supply
side
ONLY
. CPVC
MUST
be used on the return side and
may be used on the supply side.
FLOW RATE
MINIMUM PIPE SIZE
0 to 30 GPM
1½”
31 to 50 GPM
2”
51 to 70 GPM
2½”
PANELS
RECOMMENDED FLOW
SLES-30
3-4 gallons per minute
SLES-40
4-5 gallons per minute
©
2015 UMA Solar
INSTALLATION MANUAL eco-SPARK™ SOLAR POOL HEATER
