American Water Heater SRCC OG-300 User manual

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PRINTED 0311 320009-001
KEEP THIS MANUAL IN THE POCKET ON HEATER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
WHENEVER MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT OR SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
ALL TECHNICALAND WARRANTY QUESTIONS: SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOTHE LOCAL DEALER FROM WHOMTHE WATER HEATER WAS
PURCHASED. IF YOUARE UNSUCCESSFUL, PLEASE WRITETO THE COMPANY LISTED ONTHE RATING PLATE ON THE WATER HEATER.
Instruction Manual
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS
STANDARD SYSTEMS
WITH DOUBLE WALL HEAT EXCHANGER
FOR POTABLE WATER HEATING ONLY
Solar Water Heater
CUS
LISTED
Solar Collector
SRCC OG-100
™
Solar Water Heating System
SRCC OG-300
™

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All safety messages will generally tell you about the type of hazard, what can happen if you do not follow the safety
message, and how to avoid the risk of injury.
The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act requires the Governor of California to publish a list of
substances known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and requires
businesses to warn of potential exposure to such substances.
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm.
This appliance can cause low-level exposure to some of the substances listed in the act.
Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system that has not been used for a long period of time (generally two
weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and can ignite when exposed to a spark or flame. To prevent
the possibility of injury under these conditions, we recommend the hot water faucet be opened for several minutes at
the kitchen sink before using any electrical appliance which is connected to the hot water system. If hydrogen is pres-
ent, there will probably be an unusual sound such as air escaping through the faucet as water begins to flow. Do not
smoke or have any open flame near the faucet at the time it is open.
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
• Qualified Installer: A qualified installer must have ability equivalent to a licensed tradesman in the fields of
plumbing and electrical installation of these appliances. This would include a thorough understanding of the
requirements of the National Electrical Code and applicable local electrical and plumbing codes (and tools
necessary to confirm proper installation and operation of the water heater) as they relate to the installation
of electric water heaters. The qualified installer must have a thorough understanding of the water heater
Instruction Manual.
• Service Agency: A service agency also must have ability equivalent to a licensed tradesman in the fields of
plumbing and electrical installation of these appliances. This would include a thorough understanding of the
requirements of the National Electrical Code and applicable local electrical and plumbing codes (and tools
necessary to confirm proper installation and operation of the water heater) as they relate to the installation
of electric water heaters. The service agency must have a thorough understanding of the water heater
Instruction Manual.
SAFE INSTALLATION, USE AND SERVICE
Your safety and the safety of others is extremely important in the installation, use, and servicing of this water
heater.
Many safety-related messages and instructions have been provided in this manual and on your own water heater to
warn you and others of a potential injury hazard. Read and obey all safety messages and instructions throughout this
manual. It is very important that the meaning of each safety message is understood by you and others who install,
use, or service this water heater.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to
alert you to potential personal injury hazards.
Obey all safety messages that follow this
symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous
situation which,if notavoided, willresult indeath
or injury.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or injury.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could result in
minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION used without the safety alert symbol
indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in property
damage.
CAUTION

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GENERAL SAFETY

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Thank You for purchasing this water heating system.
Properly installed and maintained, it should give you years
of trouble free service.
Abbreviations Found In This Instruction Manual:
• ANSI - American National Standards Institute
• ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• GAMA - Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association
• NEC - National Electrical Code
• NFPA- National Fire ProtectionAssociation
• UL - Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
• SRCC - Solar Rating and Certification Corp.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
This Solar Water Heating System consists of four main
parts — the solar collectors, the solar pump station, the
solar storage tank, and the plumbing for the heat transfer
fluid.
The solar pump station uses a pump to circulate a heat-
transfer fluid through the “collector loop”. This collector
loop includes the solar collectors, the fluid lines or “line-
set” and a heat exchanger. The collector loop is a “closed
loop”, meaning there is no contact of the heat transfer fluid
with your potable water or with the atmosphere. The collec-
tor loop contains only a small volume of heat-transfer fluid
which is non-toxic and freeze-protected to -30°F (Freeze
tolerance limits are based upon an assumed set of environ-
mental conditions). Though freeze protection may not be
necessary in all areas, the heat-transfer fluid also contains
corrosion inhibitors which protect the system components,
has an elevated boiling point, and is suitable throughout
North America.
When exposed to sunlight, the solar collectors get hot.
As the heat-transfer fluid passes through the collectors,
it absorbs the heat and then travels down the line-set to
the tank. The hot fluid passes through the heat exchanger
and heat is transferred to the potable water.After giving up
its heat to the potable water, the cool heat-transfer fluid is
pumped back to the solar collectors to be heated again.
Hot potable water is stored in the solar storage tank.
The auxiliary or back-up electric-heating guarantees hot
water even under poor solar conditions (at night or when
very cloudy). The minimum acceptable temperature set-
point is specified in local plumbing codes.
You can save the most money on your water-heating bills
by using the backup heater on your system as little as pos-
sible. If the sun shines brightly between 10 am and 3 pm,
enough heat will normally be generated to keep the water
hot throughout the rest of the day and night.
However, on days when the sky is cloudy or when large
quantities of hot water are being used, we recommend
leaving the backup heater turned on and set to 120° F to
provide adequate hot water.
PREPARING FOR THE INSTALLATION
1. Readthe“General Safety”sectionof thismanualfirst and
then the entire manual carefully. If you don’t follow the
safetyrules,thewater heater willnotoperate properly. It
could cause DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, AND/
OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
This manual contains instructions for the installation,
operation, and maintenance of the solar water heater.
It also contains warnings throughout the manual that
you must read and understand. All warnings and all
instructions are essential to the proper operation of
the water heater and your safety. READ THE ENTIRE
MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL OR
OPERATE THE WATER HEATER.
2. The installation must conform with these instructions
and the local code authority having jurisdiction and the
requirements of the power company. In the absence of
local code requirements follow NFPA-70, the National
Electrical Code (current edition), which may be
ordered from: National Fire Protection Association, 1
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169.
3. If after reading this manual you have any questions or
donotunderstandany portionof theinstructions, callthe
localutility or themanufacturer whose name appears on
the rating plate.
4.Carefullyplanyourintendedplacementofthewaterheater
and collectors. INSTALLATION OR SERVICE OF THIS
WATER HEATER REQUIRES ABILITY EQUIVALENT
TOTHATOFALICENSEDTRADESMAN INTHE FIELD
INVOLVED.PLUMBINGAND ELECTRICALWORKARE
REQUIRED.
Examinethelocationto ensure thewaterheatercomplies
with the “Facts to Consider About the Location” section
in this manual.
5. For California installation this water heater must be
braced, anchored, or strapped to avoid falling or moving
during an earthquake. See instructions for correct
installation procedures. Instructions may be obtained
fromCalifornia Officeof the StateArchitect, 400PStreet,
Sacramento, CA 95814.
6. Massachusetts Code requires this water heater to be
installed in accordance with Massachusetts 248-CMR
2.00: State Plumbing Code and 248-CMR 5.00.
7. Thesolar energy systemdescribed bythismanual, when
properly installed and maintained, meets the minimum
standards established by the SRCC. This certification
does not imply endorsement or warranty of this product
by SRCC.
INTRODUCTION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFE INSTALLATION, USE AND SERVICE.............................2
Important Definitions ..................................................2
GENERAL SAFETY ..................................................................3
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................4
System Description ....................................................4
Preparing for Installation.............................................4
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................5
SYSTEM DIAGRAM/TYPICAL INSTALLATION .......................6
SYSTEM COMPONENT PART ................................................7
STORAGE TANK INSTALLATION ............................................7
Local Codes ...............................................................7
Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve ........................7-8
Closed System/Thermal Expansion............................8
Locating the Solar Water Heater ................................8
Water Piping ............................................................8-9
Installation in Residential Garages..............................9
Filling the Solar Water Heater with Water...................9
Wiring of Element .....................................................10
Thermostat ...............................................................10
Temperature Regulation ......................................10-11
Temperature Settings ............................................... 11
Temperature Adjustment .......................................... 11
Tank Sensor ............................................................. 11
Draining ...............................................................11-12
Element ....................................................................12
Element Replacement ..............................................12
Anode .......................................................................12
Water Heater Sounds ...............................................12
SOLAR COLLECTOR INSTALLATION ..................................13
Collector Location ....................................................13
General Considerations ...........................................13
Collector Orientation ...........................................13-14
Spanner Mounting ...............................................15-17
Attaching Collector to Mounting Brackets ................18
Collector Piping ........................................................19
Collector Piping Detail ..............................................20
Sensor Wiring at Collector .......................................20
Sensor Mounting at Collector ...................................20
Piping Through the Roof ..........................................20
Piping Insulation .......................................................20
PUMP STATION INSTALLATION ...........................................21
Pump Station ............................................................21
Safety Instructions ....................................................21
Safety Equipment .....................................................22
Wall Mounting the Solar Pump Station ....................22
Plumbing Configuration ............................................23
Function ...................................................................23
Flowmeter ................................................................23
Start-up and Operation of the Solar Pump Station ...24
Leak Detection .........................................................24
Flushing ....................................................................24
Filling ........................................................................24
Preparation of the Heat Transfer Fluid .....................24
Filling the Solar Loop ...........................................24-25
Draining.....................................................................25
PUMP STATION CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS .......................26
Control Instructions ..................................................26
System Description .............................................26-33
TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................................34-36
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE ......................................................37
REPAIR PARTS ......................................................................38
HEAT TRANSFER FLUID PROPERTIES ..............................39
SOLAR RATING / MODELS / WARRANTY.......INSERT SHEET