COMMISSIONING
61
Pressure Testing the Solar Circuit
21.
Close the heat exchanger drain valve.
22.
Refit the solar circuit relief valve, orientating the valve
outlet to the rear of the solar storage tank. Secure with the
spring clip. Reconnect the drain pipe to the valve.
23.
Switch on the electrical supply at the power outlet to the
solar storage tank.
Warning:
Take care not to enter the area inside the solar storage tank behind the front covers whilst
the power is on as the electrical circuit will be live.
The red LED on the solar monitor label will start flashing and the pump will activate and commence
pumping fluid around the solar circuit.
Note:
The level of the closed circuit fluid in the clear hose will not change, as the heat exchanger drain
valve has been closed.
Allow the pump to operate for three (3) minutes (one and two collector systems) or for five (5) minutes (3
collector system) to allow the solar circuit to stabilise and fill with closed circuit fluid.
Note:
The solar pump will operate for one hour with the hot sensor lead disconnected, before automatically
turning itself off. Refer to
24.
Check the solar pipe work and collector unions for leaks whilst the pump is operating and the solar circuit
is at its working pressure. It is important to check all of the solar pipe work, including in the roof space and
on the roof.
25.
If the procedure to check the solar pipe work for leaks is not complete before the pump has automatically
turned off, then:
switch off the electrical supply at the power outlet to the solar storage tank.
recommence this procedure from
26.
Switch off the electrical supply at the power outlet to the solar storage tank.
The red LED on the solar monitor label will stop flashing and the pump will deactivate.
The closed circuit fluid will drain back down to the heat exchanger.
27.
Rectify any leaks in the solar pipe work and collector unions.
If brazing is required to fix any leaks, then it is necessary to remove the solar circuit relief valve
Warning:
The solar circuit may be under pressure. Take care when removing the solar circuit relief
valve, as a sudden discharge of pressurised hot vapour may be experienced. This discharge will create a
sharp sound of vapour being released.
28.
If minor leaks have been rectified, recommence this procedure from
23. If a major leak has been
rectified, recommence this procedure from
heat
exchanger
drain valve
closed
