18
When commissioning the system, ensure the Benchmark Checklist at the back of these instructions is completed.
5.1 FILL THE SOLAR CYLINDER
1. Check that all the mains water connections are tight and any drain valves are closed.
2. Open the mains water inlet valve. Thoroughly flush out the hot water system by turning on all the hot water taps and
allow the water to flow until no air is present, this will automatically vent the cylinder of air. Turn off each tap.
3. It is important to vent the solar cylinder and solar pump.
Vent the cylinder using the vent point in the drain back unit as shown in Fig. 22. Vent the cylinder pump by unscrewing
the centre cap (see Fig. 20) and rotate the spindle using a small screwdriver until water runs from it and then replace
the cap. Ensure the area around the pump is dry.
4. Isolate the mains inlet and drain the cylinder to remove any debris that may have collected in the cylinder. Refill and
vent the system as described above.
5. Check the operation of the two pressure relief valves (see Fig. 20) by turning the head anti-clockwise until it clicks. The
click is the valve lifting off its seat allowing water to escape
from the system - check that this is actually happening.
5.2 FILL THE DRAIN BACK UNIT
1. Unscrew the level point cap from the fitting in the flow pipe
above the pump (Fig. 22).
2. Fill using standard domestic water with a funnel and hose via
the 22 mm collector return connection until the water spills
from the fill level point.
3. Carefully fill the drain back unit until water overflows from the
fill level point in the pipe above the pump. This indicates the
correct fill level has been reached.
Note:
Do not overfill.
4. Replace the level point cap to the fitting in the pipe above the
pump.
5. Check that all the wiring has been correctly installed and that
all the terminal connections are tight.
Switch on the electrical supply and press the On/Off button on
the control panel (see Fig. 23) to start the system.
6. Check for any leaks and replace the front cover.
7. Complete the details of the installation in the Benchmark
Checklist at the back of these instructions.
5.3 CONTROL UNIT DISPLAY - Fig. 23
The Solar cylinder is fitted with a control unit with integrated display panel and push button controls. The display indicates the
working modes of the system with symbols to indicate the working components of the complete system.
When first switched on, the display will show all the symbols as shown in Fig. 23 for 2 seconds then the system schematic
is displayed and the countdown from 70 seconds to 0 will start (see Fig. 24). During this countdown the unit does a self-
diagnosis of all the sensors and pumps. If the collector temperature is between 10 and 130°C the drain back unit pump will
run for a short period to run a test program, after which the system is ready for use.
When all the self-diagnostic procedures have been completed the system will start normal operation.
After the 70 second countdown the normal operating display will appear with a schematic diagram of the system and
showing two temperatures. The top value indicating the temperature at the collector sensor (S3) and the bottom value
indicating the upper cylinder sensor temperature (S1) as shown in Fig. 25.
The system can be turned on and off using the On/Off button, however we recommend that the system is left in the on
position permanently and it will control itself depending on the solar energy available and the cylinder temperature.
If there is enough solar light at the collector the cylinder pump will run, shortly followed by the drain back unit pump.
Alpha SolarSmart 100 - Commissioning
5 COMMISSIONING
Fig. 22
Filling point (22mm return connection)
Fill level
Pump
Drain point
(collector circuit)
Vent point
(cylinder circuit)
Level point cap
