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Collector Flush, Leak Check, and Fill Procedure
Before proceeding with the instructions outlined in this section, the solar storage tank should be
filled with water. The collector loop then should be leak checked, flushed, and filled. A Regusol
“fill and flush” valve should be installed for system charge-up. Filling or “charging up” a solar
closed loop incorporates a 1/2 HP utility pump available through most Oventrop dealers.
Leak Check and Flush
1. To ensure there are no leaks, air test the system to approximately 60 PSI. Check and repair
any leaks. When the solar loop is leak-free, release air and flush system with tap water.
2. Before filling the collector loop with antifreeze solution, it must be flushed free of any flux,
copper filings, or debris. Straight tap water may be used for this purpose.
3. To perform this step, hook up a hose from tap faucet to the fill port and run another hose
from the drain port to a drain or outdoors. Close center ball valve on “flush and fill.” Open water
tap to begin flushing. Flush the system with tap water for approximately 10 minutes to assure
there is no solder, flux, or debris left within the collector loop piping.
This step may also be used to cool the collectors before filling the system with propylene glycol.
Fill Procedure
Charging the collector loop
will require approximately 3
- 8 gallons of Oventrop NT-
40 antifreeze (provided).
It is a premixed water-
propylene glycol solution
of 40% propylene glycol to
60% water and will provide
freeze protection to -6
o
F.
No mixing is necessary.
If collector loop is to be
charged during the sunlight
hours, collectors should
be covered for at least one
hour before beginning; or
the collector may be cooled
with water using procedure
in step 3 (above).
Connect pressure side of
charge pump with washing
machine hoses to the fill
port. From suction side of charge pump, attach another hose to the bucket of the propylene
glycol solution. Attach another hose from the drain port to an empty bucket. If the system was
just flushed with water, drain down the water pressure to prime the charge pump. Drain water
pressure into empty buckets.
Set up for filling with solar heat transfer fluid. Turn center ball valve of “Regusol fill and flush”
perpendicular to have propylene glycol flow throughout solar closed loop.
Oventrop
Solar Collector
Array
Section Ten
