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ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
WATER HEATER APPLICATION
This water heater is designed for use in a single family domestic dwelling for the purpose of heating potable
water. Its use in an application other than this may shorten its life.
MODEL TYPE
®
Your Vulcan
indirect solar VSi water heater is designed for the solar collector to be roof mounted and the
solar storage tank to be installed at ground or floor level. The solar storage tank and integrated in-series gas
booster is suitable for outdoor installation only and with either one only Rheem T200 or two only Rheem
NPT200, HBT200 or TBT200 solar collectors. The system is suitable for installation in areas subject to frost
or freeze conditions. Freeze conditions occur below 6°C.
SOLAR OPERATION
The Vulcan indirect solar VSi water heater has its vitreous enamel lined solar storage tank installed at
ground or floor level, remotely from the solar collector. This water heater is an indirect solar hot water system
with a heat exchanger in the solar storage tank.
The heat exchanger is filled with closed circuit fluid and is connected to the solar collector by insulated
copper pipe work forming a closed circuit. The closed circuit fluid is a solution of a blue, non-toxic food grade
propylene glycol concentrate mixed with water. The closed circuit concentrate is used to lower the freezing
temperature of the closed circuit fluid and provides protection against freezing.
As the sun heats the solar collector, the increase in temperature activates the pump. The pump switches on
whenever the solar collector is hotter than the water in the tank and the water requires heating. The pump
moves the closed circuit fluid from the solar storage tank heat exchanger through an insulated copper pipe to
the solar collector to be heated by the sun‟s energy and then back to the heat exchanger. Heat transfers
from the closed circuit fluid in the heat exchanger to the water stored in the solar storage tank.
This process continues while solar energy is available and until the water in the solar storage tank reaches a
temperature of approximately 75°C. The pump is then deactivated and the closed circuit fluid in the solar
collector and solar pipe work drains back into the heat exchanger in the solar storage tank.
The closed circuit provides protection to the solar collector and solar circuit in harsh water areas. The drain
back principle provides protection to the system in freezing conditions.
Automatic safety controls are fitted to the water heater to provide safe and efficient operation.
GAS BOOSTING OPERATION
Water stored in the solar storage tank passes through the in-series gas
booster when a hot tap is opened. The in-series gas booster is for heating
the water at times of low solar energy gain, such as during cloudy or rainy
weather, or during colder months.
Solar heated water can reach temperatures up to 75°C in the solar storage
tank. When the solar heated water temperature is 58°C and above, the in-
series gas booster will not boost the water temperature.
The in-series gas booster operates automatically if heating of the water is
required. When the solar heated water temperature is below 58°C, the gas
burners ignite to provide immediate heating of the water to its preset outlet
temperature setting. The heat produced by the burner is transferred to the
water through the heat exchanger. The water is heated to a constant
temperature by the automatic adjustment of the gas supply to the burner to
suit the water flow rate. The gas burners extinguish when the hot tap is
closed.
Automatic safety controls are fitted to the water heater to provide safe and efficient operation.
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