Shifting Solutions

The control Panel and the filling process

I stopped to make a control panel from a scrap of 1/4″ Cherry veneer plywood I had laying around.  I mounted this at a convenient angle to the right of the tank.  I mounted the provided terminal strip for the signals and hooked up the red LED that indicates low fluid in the overflow tank – it lit up from the power in the PV panel!  Then I added my own second terminal strip for the PV wire and mounted one of my own solar powered Differential Temperature Controllers, and connected the sensors and pump to it. Finally I installed the provided temperature gauge.  I admire the simplicity and cleverness of using a standard automobile gauge for this.  They had even opened up the package it came in and taped a hose clamp to the end of the sensor to make it obvious that the sensor should be clamped to the tube coming from the collector.  Very thoughtful!

Note that the red light is on indicating a low reservoir level in the overflow tank above the collectors.  This is because I have not yet filled the system with glycol anti-freeze mix, so the tank has only a little fluid in it.

Once again the Installation Manual was quite clear about the filling process.  It begins by identifying and naming the 4 valves.  I stopped to make up little plastic tags that I tied onto each valve to identify them so I would not get confused.  It also makes it easier to follow the steps in manual.There are 2 hoses provided with the kit.  One that allows a garden hose to be used to fill and flush the collectors, and a fill drain hose that allows the water to exit the plumbing into a bucket.  (This same hose is also used later to siphon anti-freeze mix into the system.)  I connected the garden hose to the drain valve on the pre-heat tank and cautiously opened the valve.  There were ominous hissing sounds and drips right away.  I identified the loose fittings and tightened them down.  After 2 more tries I had them all tight and drip free.

Then I left the fill hose open and waited a minute or so for the collectors to fill and to see water come back out.  Finally warm water!  Another minute or so to purge all the crud from the system.

Again, following the instructions carefully, I shut off the drain valve and let the house pressure push some water out of the radiator cap into the overflow tank above the collectors.  I went up and opened my bedroom window to check for the presence of water in the tank and yes there it was!  I noted that the little float sensor was just beginning to lift up in the water.

Since it was late in the afternoon there was only glancing sun on the collectors so the water was only slightly warm, but there was enough PV power to run the pump.   I was able to use the ON/AUTO/OFF switch on my differential temperature controller to operate the pump.

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Tomorrow : Test Results