Pressure Series Solar Water Heater With

Heat Pipe install instruction

Version number 1.2

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1 Table of Contents

1 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................ 1

2 Warranty ............................................................................................................................................................ 2

3 Warning ............................................................................................................................................................. 2

4 Principle of Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 4

4.1 Vacuum Tube ................................................................................................................................................ 4

4.2 Heat Pipe ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

5 Installation .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

5.1 Solar System Location ................................................................................................................................. 5

5.2 Structure ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

5.3 Solar Water Heater Installation .................................................................................................................... 6

5.3.1 Installation Overview ............................................................................................................................. 6

5.3.2 Frame Assembly .................................................................................................................................... 6

5.3.3 Tank Assembly ....................................................................................................................................... 9

5.3.4 Vacuum Tube Installation ...................................................................................................................... 9

5.3.5 Important Notice .................................................................................................................................. 10

6 Pipeline Installation .......................................................................................................................................... 11

6.1 Pipeline Installation Drawing ..................................................................................................................... 11

6.2 Pipeline Installation Tips ............................................................................................................................ 11

7 Using Hot Water ............................................................................................................................................... 12

7.1 Filling Water............................................................................................................................................... 12

7.2 Using Water ................................................................................................................................................ 12

7.3 Auxiliary Heating ....................................................................................................................................... 13

7.4 Commissioning the System ........................................................................................................................ 13

8 Routine Maintenance Tips ................................................................................................................................ 14

9 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................ 15

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2 Warranty Upon installation of the solar water heater, the dealer responsible for the sale will fill out the warranty card

and the customer will complete a record of it and retain it for future service.

This limited warranty covers the glass evacuated tubes, hot water tank and tank support frame for tube-

breakage, leakage or any other malfunction caused by defects in the materials and/or workmanship. It

extends to the first buyer and to any subsequent owner as long as the water heater has been installed by

trained and qualified authorized technicians approved by the local dealer.

On glass tubes the limited warranty is for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase. This warranty

excludes loss of vacuum in a tube or tubes due to breakage during transport, handing or after installation,

when caused by personnel, other than those appointed by or approved to by dealer. A gradual reduction in

vacuum levels over time is normal and accordingly is not a defect in terms of this warranty.

The limited warranty on the hot water tank and support frame is for a total period of 3 years from the date

of purchase.

This warranty does not cover:

1. Cover leakage or breakage of tubes or other malfunctions caused by defective installation, misuse,

operation and maintenance contrary to the written instructions in the user manual.

2. Odoriferous, discoloring or rusty water coming from the system.

3. Damage to surrounding area or property caused by leakage or malfunction of the system.

4. Costs associated with the replacement and repair of the unit. Associated costs including freight,

shipping or delivery charges, removal, installation or re-installation charges; any material, and

permits required for installation, re-installation or repair.

All legal disputes shall be settled in Dealer Country of operation.

To facilitate warranty service, you should:

Follow all instructions enclosed with the product.

Retain all bills of sale or receipts for proof of installation. Etc.

Contact your installer or dealer as soon as any problem or defect is noticed.

When necessary, allow our chosen representative, to inspect the unit.

Attention

High exhaust pipe must be fixed, and not suitable for too high, our products are not bearing products

High water tank water level difference below 3 meters.

If you use small tank,please add relief valve on the inlet water pipe of small tank,and the pressure of the

relief valve is less than 0.3MPa

3 Warning

Before using and installing the water heater, please read through the manual carefully. Keep

the manual for reference in the future.

1． Installation should be carried out by professional workers approved by us or our dealer. We will not

be responsible for any damage or loss caused by users’ incorrect installation.

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2． Prevent from burn injury, touching the heat pipes in the glass tubes is strictly prohibited. The

evacuated tubes are not allowed to expose under the sunshine directly before installation.

3． For continued safety of this appliance it must be installed, operated and maintained in accordance

with the manufacturers’ instructions

4． Test water temperature before bathing. Hot water from solar water heater may cause burns.

Children, disabled or elderly persons should not operate solar water heater without adults.

5． Do not expose solar water heater under sunshine long time without water, this may cause damage

to the system. In case of no usage for long time, cut off power supply and ensure solar water

heater is full of water.

6． Electrical heater should be installed with leakage protection plug and used only when required.

Ensure enough water before opening electrical heater. Do not use hot water from solar water heater

when electrical heater is running.

7． Air vent is very important to non-pressure solar water heater. Keep the air vent unblocked and

connect to ambient atmosphere directly.

8． Fill solar water heater tank to increase its weight to ensure its safety against heavy wind. Lightning

rod is advised for lightning and thunder area usage.

9． Vacuum tube is fragile, appropriate protection is advised for its safety.

10．Piping to and from the solar water heater should be insulated.

11．Do not change the structure of solar water heater optionally. Do not climb on solar water heater.

12．Water inside solar water heater is not suitable for drinking.

13．Place the vacuum tube out of reach of children.

14．The water temperature can be very high in the summer months and steam can be observed coming

out of the vent pipe. If the solar water heater is not in use in the summer or for a long period of

time, it is advised to cover the glass tubes with a canvas cloth or a mat.

15．If the solar water heater tank has become empty due to non-supply of cold water for long periods,

it should be refilled only during early morning hours when the temperature within the tubes is at a

minimum.

16．Clean the glass tubes regularly. If dust and dirt are allowed to settle on the glass cover it will block

the sun rays and reduce the efficiency of the system. It is advised to clean the glass tubes every

two weeks with fresh water or soft cloth. Do not use coarse material that might scratch the glass

surface while cleaning the glass tubes.

17．Prevent any shade falling on the glass tubes. Regularly trim back the branches of trees in the

vicinity of the glass tubes to allow as much as possible sunlight to fall on them.

18．Do not throw stones or any hard objects on the glass tubes which may cause breakage of the tubes.

19．In case of any problem during usage of this solar water heater, please contact your nearest dealer.

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4 Principle of Operation

4.1 Vacuum Tube

A vacuum tube drawing

A Vacuum Tube (a.k.a. evacuated Tube) consists of two glass tubes made from borosilicate glass, with a

partial vacuum in between. The borosilicate glass adds strength and durability to the vacuum tube. Sunlight

traverses the glass tubes to heat water inside the inner tube. The vacuum is important in that it acts as an

insulator to keep heat inside the tube. When the heat inside the tube is high (~150℃), the outer tube will

remain only few degrees from ambient temperature; which is an advantage over flat plate collectors.

The selective absorption layer coating of the inner tube is excellent at absorbing incident solar radiation

while minimizing reflection.

In order to maintain the vacuum between the two glass layers, a barium getter is used (the same as in

television tubes). While manufacturing the tube, and through special treatment, a Barium layer forms at the

bottom of the evacuated tube. Called a "getter", this barium layer actively absorbs escaping gaseous

particles from the evacuated tube and increases the longevity of the vacuum. It also provides a clear visual

indication of the vacuum status; the silver-colored barium layer turns white if the vacuum is lost making it

easy to identify.

4.2 Heat Pipe

An evacuated-tube collector contains several individual glass tubes, each containing an aluminum fin and a

heat pipe. The heat pipe transfers the heat efficiently to the water in the tank.

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5 Installation

5.1 Solar System Location

The solar system must be installed in a non-shaded place. High buildings or trees may cause shade to solar

water heater and reduce its performance.

For optimum performance, solar water heater should be installed facing towards the equator. For South

Hemisphere solar water heater should be installed facing north, while for North Hemisphere should be

facing south. Diverting for this north/south orientation is possible, given installation site conditions, and is

best considered by your dealer’s appointed professional installers.

5.2 Structure

Solar Water Heater Structure Diagram

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5.3 Solar Water Heater Installation

5.3.1 Installation Overview

（Frame assembly drawing）

5.3.2Frame Assembly

1. Open the packing case and check the accessories, sort out the front legs, rear legs, assistant bars,

cross bars, reflectors, tail stocks, tank brackets.

2. Take out the front legs and put them horizontally on the ground.Then take the horizontal bars out

and connect them with the front legs in turn.Then, Take the front assistant bars out and connect

them with front leg and horizontal bars.

3. Take the tank bracket out and connect them with each front leg in turn.

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4. After the connection of tank brackets and front legs, take the rear side legs out and connect them

with the corresponding connecting holes of the tank brackets by bolts and nuts.

5. Take out the side above bars and connect them with the front and rear legs according to

the corresponding connecting holes.

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6. Then connect the front legs with the rear legs by side below bars.

7. Take the cross bars out and connect them with the two rear legs.

8. Connect the front and rear legs with the cousins.

9. Turn the frame over and put it on the ground at the installation angle between the front legs and

rear legs.

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5.3.3 Tank Assembly

1. Open the water tank package and screw the nuts from the connection bolts at bottom of tank.

2. Put the water tank on the tank brackets slowly and lightly according to the corresponding

connecting holes. Screw the nuts tightly to adjust the angle of tank to ensure vacuum tube holes

and tail stocks are on the same level.

3. See photos below for reference.

5.3.4 Vacuum Tube Installation

1. Prepare a small basin of water mixed with little dish washing soap. This will ease inserting

vacuum tubes to solar water heater tank holes.

2. Open the pack of the vacuum tubes and takes out a vacuum tube at a time.

a. Install the anti-dust seal on top of vacuum tube.

b. Soak the header of vacuum tube with water,

c. Insert the vacuum tubes into the water tank slowly, while turning the tube.

3. Pull down the vacuum tube and place it on the right tail stock hole.

4. Connect the tail stock with the corresponding holes of the front legs.

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5. The bottom nipple on the vacuum tube is extremely fragile, so pay extra attention to fitting the

tube properly without hitting the nipple. If nipple or tube breaks, this causes vacuum leakage thus

damaging the tube.

5.3.5 Important Notice

1. Solar water heater should face the sun, with 10° to 20° variation southwest. Be sure there is no

shade on both sides of solar water heater.

2. Solar water heater should be fixed with roof firmly with expanding screw and/or steel wire to

avoid potential danger against heavy wind.

3. Be sure that no leakage in pipeline, joints, valves and so on.

4. Pipeline should be insulated to avoid heat loss. For cold area usage, use electrical heating cable to

protect against freezing.

5. If the area is prone to lightning strikes, with no existing protection then, user should add the

lightning conductor fixture for protection against lightning.

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6 Pipeline Installation

6.1 Pipeline Installation Drawing

6.2 Pipeline Installation Tips

1. Connect the hot water outlet port after the valve with insulated pipeline to the usage points. It is

advised to use either Kitec (polyethylene-laminated aluminum pipe) or CPVC (N 20 Grade) for

the hot water pipe.

2. It is advised to use compression fitting plumbing pipes which can be installed without tools (Kitec

or CPVC) for cold and hot water usage for ease of installation and maintenance. They provide

better insulation than manually-insulated metal pipes, and need no insulation of the hot water

plumbing pipe that does not exceed 12 meters. Do not use a pipe wrench.

3. The distance between usage points and the solar water heater should be minimized as much as

possible; the maximum recommended distance without heat loss is 12 meters using Kitec or

CPVC pipes. For longer distances, proper insulating material should be used to prevent heat loss

(like special insulating rubber sleeve, PUF sleeve or rock wool with chicken mesh).

4. In case the usage points are many or the water line is quite long, it is recommended to expand the

capacity of the solar water heater.

5. The standard diameter of inlet/outlet points of the solar water heater is half inch (3/4 inch is

optional one). Half inch pipes should be connected depending on the number of usage points and

the results of the pre-installation survey.

6. In places where the hot and cold water pressure is not equal and mixing valves are used at the

usage point, care should be taken to install either non-return valve (NRV) based mixer or a NRV

on the hot water pipe of each usage point so as to prevent the reverse flow of hot water. The

temperature adjustment of the thermostatic mixing valve range: 20~60℃.

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7. Use soap-oil on glass tubes then insert them into solar water heater tank. Cover glass tubes with

materials like canvas, cloth or cardboard till the proper plumbing connections are made and the

solar water heater is supplied with regular cold water. This is to avoid the glass tubes overheating

without water, which could lead to breakage of tubes.

8. The system has a feeding tank normally, and the feeding tank has an air went .User can fix a long

pipe with the air went ,and the pipe shall be connected to a safe position to drain water. Because

when the water in store is boiling, the steam can exit from the air went.

9. Ensure the first filling of cold water is done in the early morning hours when the temperature

within the tubes is low to avoid damage to the glass tubes.

10. After the installation, let the solar water heater heat the water for a day of sunlight before using the

hot water.

11. The solar water heater has a provision for back-up electrical heater. It should ideally by a trained

electrician providing a proper earth and protecting the cable connections from water and moisture.

12. The water heater is non-pressure, the rated pressure is 0.2 bar.

7 Using Hot Water

7.1 Filling Water

Turn on V1 and V3; the tap water will fill the tank.

If the solar tank has become empty due to non-supply of cold water for long periods, it is better be refilled

only during early morning(before sunrise) or late evening (after sunset) when the temperature in the

vacuum tubes is low. Do not fill cold water at the hot noon, especially after vacuum tube is heated without

water inside.

Do not touch or put cold water inside the vacuum tubes if the tubes have been exposed to sun without

water inside. The collector transfer medium is water.

7.2 Using Water

Turn on and adjust the mixing valve, to mix the cold water and the hot water to get suitable

temperature hot water. The hot water inside the tank may be over 60℃, it is advised to open

the cold water at first and adjust the hot water to suitable temperature.

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7.3 Auxiliary Heating

When water in the tank are not hot enough, then you can use auxiliary electric heater to heat the water, Do

remember to cut off the power before using hot water.

Electrical circuit of the electrical heater

Electric heater, heating curves

7.4 Commissioning the System

After installation, fill the tank in the early morning, late afternoon, or when the tubes have not been

exposed to sun radiation while empty.

1. Fill and turn on the solar water heater.

2. Open all of the hot water taps in the house.

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3. Open the isolation valves fully on the cold and hot water branches to the solar water heater.

4. Open the cold water isolation valve fully on the cold water line to the solar water heater.

5. Close each tap after confirming water flows freely from it.

6. Check all pipelines to see any leakage.

7. Switch on the electrical supply at the isolating switch to the solar storage tank.

To turn off the water heater:

1. Switch off the electrical supply at the isolating switch to the solar storage tank.

2. Close the cold water isolation valve at the inlet to the solar water heater to shut down the system,

or close the isolation valves on the cold and hot water branches to shut down solar water heater.

Cover the tubes to shade them if necessary.

8 Routine Maintenance Tips

There are some recommendations and tips which if followed can go a long way to improve the overall

efficiency of the solar water heater.

1. Hot water will flow from usage point only after unheated water in pipeline flow out first.

2. Plan the consumption of hot water in quick intervals at one time (either in the morning or evening)

to minimize heat loss in the pipeline.

3. Run the hot water slowly, this will avoid the mixing of hot and cold water in the solar water heater

tank.

4. Do not withdraw more than the rated capacity of the system on a single day.

5. Use electrical backup occasionally when more hot water is required.

6. If you use a controller to turn on the electrical heater automatically, please set it at 45°C. This is

usually sufficient for a hot water shower. A higher setting will increase your electricity bills.

7. Paint the MS support stand once in five years. Though the supporting structure and other MS parts

are powder coated for long rust-free life, inspect occasionally and paint them if need.

8. Regularly inspect the solar water heater tank to make sure it’s not damaged and that no rainwater

runs into the tank insulation. Also check for any rusting in the plumbing lines. Do necessary

repairs using the authorized service provider.

9. To drain the water from solar water heater (for cleaning or repair). Disconnect the cold water inlet

pipe line and open the cold water inlet valve; If a makeup tank is used, close the cold water inlet

valve and remove the drain pipe dummy to drain the water from the solar water heater tank.

10. If the water in your area is hard, it is recommended to clean the solar water heater tank and glass

tubes with fresh water once a year to flush out the settled scales.

11. Do not to carry out any repairs or replacement of parts of the solar water heater on your own.

Consult your authorized service provider for help.

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9 Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Cause Solution

Water is not coming from

the tap.

Cold water inlet pipe or hot

water outlet pipe from the

solar water heater is choked

by sediment or scales

Clean the pipes and descale

sediment

Cold water inlet valve is

shut. Open the valve.

Float valve in the makeup

tank has jammed or

chocked.

Clean the float-valve or replace it.

Non-return valve is stuck Clean the NRV or replace it.

Air is trapped in the cold or

hot water pipe line.

Open the hot water outlet pipe

near the valve and remove the air

or drain the water out of the tank

and fill the solar water heater

again.

Not getting hot water

The solar water heater

is not receiving enough

sun light.

Excess water

consumption.(undersiz

ed)

Incorrect connection of

cold water and hot

water pipes to solar

water heater storage

tank.

Cloudy day, not

enough sun light.

Cold water pressure

due to mixing valve

preventing the hot

water coming through.

Relocate in un-shaded area.

Plan your water usage as per

installed capacity. In case of

high consumption use the

electric back-up.

Shorten the hot water

plumbing line or increase the

capacity of the system.

Use the electrical back-up.

Run hot water slowly at first

and then gradually open up

the cold water tap for optimal

mixing of hot and cold water

at the point of use.

Electrical backup not

working.

Wrong wiring

connections.

Inappropriate set up

temperature.

Lightning strike.

Connect according to the

wiring diagram.

Inspect/replace fuse, heater

element and/or thermostat.

The solar water heater is

leaking.

The solar water heater or

plumbing line has a leak.

Determine the source of the

leakage; if it is not rainwater,

fix the leak.

If the problem persists, call

the authorized service

provider.

Water over flows from air

vent or make up tank.

Reverse flow of cold

water into the solar

water heater tank (in

case of mixing valve).

Inappropriate air vent

length.

Close cold and hot water tap

of the mixing valve.

Increase the length of the air

vent as per installation guide

lines.

Hot water flow irregular. Air vent of makeup

tank and solar water

heater is not provided

Provide suitable air vent for

main or makeup tank, clean

the vent pipe and put it back

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or blocked.

Locked air in the

system

Cold water inlet pipe

inside tank choked by

sediment of scale.

properly.

Remove hot water outlet pipe

from valve to clear air or drain

and refill water from the solar

water heater.

Clean the pipe with long wire

brush after removing make up

tank.