Description
Solar Hot Water Service Pack - Grundfos solar pump | pump unions | Non Return Valve | Flow Meter | Frost Valve
Technical help?
With so many solar hot water systems sold in Australia during rebate boom, keeping your investment in tip top operating condition can be a dilemma. Our technical team have extensive experience in all the solar system variants and we can provide you with a solution from our listed parts and even if you have a unusual system we will be able to help by sourcing the part you need, simple!
We have put together the "Service Pack" to assist you in keeping your solar hot water system in tip top condition, not to mention the fantastic saving!
Overview
SOLAR PUMP 15-20 CIL2
The Grundfos Solar Pump with pump unions gives you a pump ready to install on your solar hot water system. The 15-20 CIL is optimised for domestic Open Loop solar systems both in terms of performance and choice of materials. For instance, the pump is able to resist a higher level of chloride than normal pumps.
The 15-20 CIL2 can be used as a replacement pump* for all open loop solar systems, both flat plate & evacuated tube types from all major manufacturers. We have listed the major manufacturers below to eliminate some of the guess work as there are hundreds of systems and models.
If the manufactures requires a set flow rate we have solar rated flow meter 15mm 1-2.5L/min or flow meter 15mm 3-8L/min, its also a good idea to replace the non return valve with a SOLAR Rated non return valve. Most manufactures require the non return valve to protect the circulating pump.
* some pipework modification might be required
Brass Unions
The brass union set is suitable for - Grundfos SOLAR 15-20 CIL2 Open Loop Solar Hot Water Pumps, it has compression and a female connection which is DR brass. The union comes complete with brass or copper compression olives and fibre sealing washer/gasket. The fitting is manufactured to comply with the requirements of the Australian standards.
AVG Non Return Valve High Temperature Solar
In collaboration with the solar hot water industry AVG has developed a high temperature non return valve, model NVHT- 15F-15C.
The NVHT-15F-15C has a DR brass body with RP 1/2" Female X 15mm compression end connections to comply with the requirements of the Australian standards. The body which houses a high temperature non return valve assembly is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 170°C. As solar hot water heaters are becoming more efficient the stagnation temperatures within the solar collector panels are becoming an issue with modern plumbing systems. High temperature non return valves need to be installed to prevent heated water from the solar collector panel from damaging plastic water pipes, pumps, valves and other components installed within the plumbing system.
The NVHT-15F-15C is suitable for any situation where the plumbing installation calls for a non return function. The valve can be installed in any orientation.
AVG FLOW METER 15mm
Flow Meter
The AVG inline flow meter has been developed as guide for the plumber when commissioning the installation of a split solar hot water heater. The flow meter is designed using DR brass for resistance to dezincification and high temperature seals and plastic components to resist the high temperatures found in solar hot water heaters.
Installation
The AVG flow meter is installed within the pumped solar hot water flow line in a convenient position near the circulation pump. The flow meter can be installed in any position vertical or horizontal and care should be taken to ensure that the directional arrow marked on the valve is pointing in the direction of the flow. The flow meter comes complete with a built in regulating / isolating valve and easy to read flow rate scale.
Commissioning
With the water heater and solar flow and return system fully charged and all the air expelled from the pumped lines the system is ready for commissioning. Using a screwdriver, close or open the regulating
valve to give the required flow indicated by the underside of the red disc on the flow scale.
AVG Solar Hot Water Frost Protection Valve FPV-15
The Frost Protection Valve (FPV) has been developed to meet the requirements of thermosiphon solar collector panels installed in a frost prone environment.
Important note:
The AVG Frost Protection Valve (FPV) is not recommended for freeze zones. A closed circuit collector panel with an approved anti-freeze fluid transfer should be used for these locations.
OPERATION
The Frost Protection Valve is designed to protect a solar collector panel from frost damage when the outside air temperature drops. The air temperature is monitored by a sensitive wax filled element which reacts by opening the FPV valve seat when the temperature drops. This allows warm water from the solar storage cylinder to flow through the solar collector panel and out of the FPV. The warm water flowing through the solar collector makes it harder for the panel to spot freeze which could damage the solar collector. The warm water flowing through the FPV will eventually close the valve seat and the water will stop fl owing. The FPV will automatically repeat this cycle until the outside air temperatures rise.
INSTALLATION
It is important to refer to the solar water heater manufacturer’s installation instructions in conjunction with the following instructions. AVG recommend that an Frost Protection Valve be installed onto each solar collector panel within the solar collector array to ensure the best protection. There may be some differences between the connection fittings to the solar collectors from each manufacturer so you may require a special adaptor to fi t the Frost Protection Valve. The AVG frost protection valve requires a 15mm ( ½” ) male fi tting to connect to.
MAINTENANCE
The frost protection valve has small water ways and may be prone to a build up of sludge when installed at the lower connection fitting of a solar collector. AVG recommends checking and cleaning at regular intervals to prevent valve malfunction and possible damage to the solar collector panel.
Solar service pack can be used with the following
Flat Plate Solar Hot Water Systems
- Chromagen
- Dux
- Edwards
- Rheem
- Rinnai
Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water Systems
- AAE
- Apricus
- Edson
- Hills
- Solarark
- Solarlord
