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PROBLEM
1. My system doesn't seem
to be working. The water
returning to my pool is not
hot.
2. My pool is not warm
enough.
3. There are bubbles in the
pool.
4. Flow seems greatly
reduced and the filter pres-
sure excessive.
5. My pool is too hot
6. I have a leak in my solar
collector
Panel Repair Plug Instructions
Required: Repair plugs (included with system), soapy water, utility knife, small 4 inch hex head or phillips screw driver.
1. Locate the leaking tube and mark the tube location on each end of the solar collector.
2. Using a utility knife, start approximately 3˝ away from the end of the solar collector, then cutting back away from the
header, scoop out the top portion of the collector tube 1 to 1-1/2˝ long to insert the plug through. Do not cut adjacent
tubes.
3. Apply soapy water to the repair and inside of the tube.
4. Insert the plug pointed end first into the opened tube section. Using a small screw driver or hex wrench, push the plug
gently, without stopping, into the tube until it reaches the end of the solar collector.
5. Remove the small screw driver or hex wrench with a quick twisting motion.
6. Take a second plug and slide it in, stopping as it hits the first plug. Repeat this procedure at the opposite end as well.
This repair completely isolated the damaged tube. Repeat as necessary to repair additional damaged tubes.
HEADER
UTILITY KNIFE
9
2"
1-1/2"
CUT-OUT
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
SOLUTION
Turn off pool pump midday in bright sunlight for approximately 10 minutes and feel solar
collector. It should be quite warm. Turn pool pump on again for 10 minutes and feel
the solar collector, which should have become quite cool to the touch. The difference in
temperature is the heat being added to your swimming pool. Ensure the bypass valve is
properly adjusted so that sufficient flow is circulating through the solar collector, without
excessive back pressure. If you have a high horsepower pump, a significant portion of
that water may be bypassed, causing the return water to seem only slightly warmer than
the pool water.
• A properly sized system will raise pool temperatures 10-15 degrees during the swim-
ming season.
• Solar will not work as well when it is cloudy or rainy (you most likely won't be swimming
during those times). After one or two warm days, your water will be back up to a comfort-
able temperature.
• Be sure the solar collector is getting sun the entire day and is not shaded.
• If installed on a rack, be sure the solar collector is pointed near south tilted 10º to 30º.
• Be sure the inlet side of the solar collector is on the bottom. The solar collector will not
function if fed from the top.
• Consider adding a pool blanket. A pool blanket traps the solar heat captured by the
solar collector during the day. This is very complementary to the solar system.
• Consider adding additional solar collector.
This is normal during startup because air is being purged from the solar collector. If air
bubbles never stop, adjust the bypass valve. Turn the bypass valve to "Solar Off" to de-
termine if you have an issue with your pool pump, and not with the solar system.
Check that the plastic caps were removed from the inlet and outlet prior to installation.
Also be sure the inlet and outlet are properly connected. Check the bypass valve adjust-
ment. Ensure the pump and filter are in good working condition. A one HP pump will
handle installations up to 30 feet away from the pool equipment and one story high. You
are getting enough flow if the panel is cool to the touch on a hot day.
You can turn you reduce your solar heat by running your pump when the sun goes down,
or bypassing the solar system with the bypass valve. During the hottest part of the sum-
mer, running the solar system at night can cool a pool to a more refreshing swimming
temperature - down several degrees in one night if the conditions are right. Also, if your
pool is too warm, leave the solar blanket off at night to allow more heat to escape.
A tube leak can be repaired if damage is located at least 3˝ away from the header. The
following procedure outlines the steps to repair a tube leak using supplied repair plugs.
Refer to the warranty for information regarding other damage.
HEADER
UTILITY KNIFE
2"
1-1/2"
CUT-OUT
SMALL SCREW DRIVER
OR HEX WRENCH
CUT-OUT
PLUG
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