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9
Purging the Solar Collectors
It is necessary to purge air from the solar collector circuit:
After installation.
When the solar system is to be turned on and the solar collectors and solar hot and solar cold pipes
have been drained.
After maintenance has been conducted on the solar collectors or pipe work and air has entered the
system.
If the circulator appears not to be circulating water around the system.
The following procedure should be performed in the morning, within three hours of sunrise, when the water
temperature inside the solar collectors is lowest:
To purge air from the collector circuit:
1.
Ensure solar storage cylinder is full of water and all premises
hot taps are turned off.
2.
Using a flat bladed screwdriver, rotate the bleed valve screw to
the open position. The bleed valve is located on the solar hot
water inlet (from collector) of the solar storage cylinder (labelled
“Connection for Solar Return Pipe”). Refer to diagram shown
opposite.
Mains pressure will force water to flow from the solar storage
cylinder, through the pipe work and solar collectors, expelling
any trapped air from the collector circuit through the bleed
valve. This is evidenced by water and air spurting from the drain
line connected to the bleed valve.
Warning:
Exercise care to avoid any splashing of water, as
water discharged from the solar collectors may be of a very high
temperature.
3.
Using a flat bladed screwdriver, close bleed valve when all air
has been purged by rotating bleed valve.
Note:
when air is
purged water will run freely without spluttering.
Change of Water Supply
The changing or alternating from one water supply to another can have a detrimental effect on the operation
and / or life expectation of the solar storage cylinder and pressure temperature relief valve.
Where there is a changeover from one water supply to another, e.g. a rainwater tank supply, bore water
supply, desalinated water supply, public reticulated water supply or water brought in from another supply,
then water chemistry information should be sought from the supplier or it should be tested to ensure the
water supply meets the requirements given in these guidelines for the Aquamax warranty to apply.
Water Chemistry
This solar water heater must be installed in accordance with this advice to be covered by the
Aquamax warranty.
This solar water heater is manufactured to suit the water conditions of most public reticulated water supplies.
However, there are some known water chemistries which can have detrimental effects on the solar water
heater and its operation and / or life expectancy. If you are unsure of your water chemistry, you may be able
to obtain information from your local water supply authority. This solar water heater should only be
connected to a water supply which complies with these guidelines for the Aquamax warranty to apply.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Some water analysis reports may state the conductivity of the water rather than the level of total dissolved
solids. Conductivity, measured in microsiemens per centimetre (
µ
S / cm), is directly proportional to the TDS
content of the water. TDS, in mg/L, is approximately 70% of the conductivity in
µ
S / cm.
The Aquamax warranty will not cover resultant faults to the solar storage cylinder if this solar water heater is
connected at anytime to a water supply where the TDS content of the water exceeds 600 mg/L. In locations
where the water supply TDS exceeds 600 mg/Litre, the magnesium alloy anode (supplied as standard, cap