Vertex
Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System
-- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2019 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 39
29
Switching the System ON for the First Time
We recommend you wait till a sunny day and follow this procedure:
1.
After the under-temperature thermostat has turned ON, connect the pump which will start in 3secs. If you
have a long length of suction line above the water level then the waterline in the buffer chamber may drop
to the visible section during start up.
2.
After 5 mins running disconnect the pump and let the system drain down for a few mins, remove the suction
li
ne if you have an “over the top” type suction line.
3.
Reinstall that suction line and reconnect the system and check that the water level in the buffer chamber
does not drop to the visible part of the filter during this second start up, if it does drop low you may need to
lengthen your buffer chamber, see section 24.1.
If the pump does not start perfectly smoothly during this second start up, then air is getting into the pump and/or
suction line during drain down. Check for air leaks or air traps.
29.1
Check for Balanced Water Flow through All Collectors
1.
With the sun shining on the collectors and the pump operational, run your hand over every part of each
collector. Collectors should be cool to the touch while the top of each collector could be slightly warmer.
Hot
spots indicate that there is no water flow through this part of the collector.
2.
To eliminate hot spots make sure the top header pipe of the entire collector array runs straight and that it has a
slight slope (minimum 2°) with the outlet having the highest point. The inclination of the array may need to be
increased.
29.2
Air Bubbles in the Return Port
If the return port is not constrictive enough you may get some continuous bubbling into the spa while the system is
running. (Note: air purging during system start is normal). Continuous bubbling can be reduced by constricting the
ball valve brake valve, see section 23.
Constricting the flow in the system will also lower the maximum temperature the spa will get to before the over-
temperature thermostat turns off the system.
During full sun operation the outlet water flow should be strong with a temperature no
greater than about 5-7°C that of the inlet.
If there is no sun available to perform this test, do not leave the pump connected. Do not let
the system run for the first time unattended.
Sometimes an
air locked mode
can arise in the pump when a sufficiently large air bubble
makes its way into the inlet of a working pump. In this state water cannot be pushed higher,
nor can the column of water above the pump make its way back through the spinning rotor.
