Troublshooting
Turning the system off (automatic systems)
Magen eco-Spark
®
Installation manual. © 2012, all rights reserved
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TROUBLSHOOTING
This section will assist in identifying and solving problems as quickly and as effectively as possible
THERE ARE AIR BUBBLES IN THE POOL WHEN THE SOLAR HEATER IS OPERATING
Diagnosis #1:
There might be air coming into the pump through an air leak on the suction side of the pump
due to the pump working harder to move the water through the solar system.
Pump Answers:
1.
Check that the pump trap lid is secured tightly.
2.
Check the O-ring on the pump trap lid. Clean, lubricate or replace as needed.
3.
If you have a suction type pool cleaner, remove it. If this eliminates the air bubbles, use it
only when the solar system is off.
4.
If the pump has a clear lid and you can see air bubbles in the trap, use a garden hose to run
water over the lid, and each joint individually, to see if the air bubbles will clear up. If the
lid is opaque, listen to the pump to check that it is operating smoothly. Repair any air leaks.
Diagnosis #2:
If the air relief valve is installed on the roof, there may not be enough water pressure in the
system to keep the air/vacuum relief valve closed, so air could be drawn into the water as it flows through
the valve.
Install Answers:
1.
Check that the filter is clean. Backwash to reduce pressure loss.
2.
Locate the air/vacuum breaker (should be installed on the roof, at the highest point of the
system). Instead of the air/vacuum breaker put a solid end cap. Install a vacuum valve
(white) on the feed line as shown on page 33.
3.
Using the ball valve on the return line, throttle back the flow to produce more back
pressure on the system.
SOME OF THE SOLAR PANELS ARE WARM TO THE TOUCH WHILE OTHERS ARE COOL
Diagnosis: The water flow inside the panel is not uniform. Warm panels indicate low water flow.
Pump Answers:
1.
Check that the filter is clean. Backwash to reduce pressure loss.
2.
The pump may not be providing enough water to the solar system. Check the water flow
using a flow meter. Increase pump's horsepower to maintain recommended flow.
3.
If there is a suction type cleaner in the pool, disconnect it. If this eliminates the problem,
use it only when the solar system is off.
Install Answers:
1.
If the system is a single row array and there is adequate flow, use a Ball Valve on the return
line to throttle the flow back to increase back pressure on the system. This will even out
the flow through the panels. If the array contains more panels than the maximum
recommended on table 2, Page 17 of this manual, change the array to a double row or
single row split feed as shown on Page 18.
