EcoOnline Vertex Flood-Prime Instruction Manual

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
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EcoOnline - Vertex™Flood-Prime
Solar Pool & Spa Heating System
Installation & User Manual –Revised 14/11/2021
Optex Solar Pty. Ltd.
ABN: 88 128 228 884
www.EcoOnline.com.au
email: [e-mail]
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved. This publication is protected by copyright law
and unless otherwise specified is for your personal and non-commercial use only. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or distributed by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written
permission of Optex Solar Pty Ltd. Trademarks appearing in this manual are the sole property of Optex Solar
Pty Ltd or their respective owners. Nothing in this publication shall be construed as granting any express or
implied license to use any intellectual property of Optex Solar Pty Ltd otherwise than for personal and
non-commercial use only. Optex Solar Pty Ltd must not, to the full extent permitted by law, be held liable
for any claim, cost (including legal costs), damage, expense, loss (including fines, penalties, set-offs and
consequential loss) or liability arising from the use (or misuse) of any product described in this
publication, unless expressly provided otherwise in this publication. Information as well as any
products described in this publication are subject to change without notice.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 2
Contents
1Key Terms
2Pre-Installation Suitability & Safety Checklist
3Warranties
4System Sizing Guarantee
5Collector and Solar Pump Sizing Guide
6Spa Chemistry Compatibility Guide
7Roof Type Compatibility Guide
8Wind and Climate Considerations
9Included System Components
10 Additional Required Components (Not Supplied)
10.1 Ground Mounting Support Frame
10.2 Roof Mounting
10.3 Additional Plumbing Components
11 Required Tools
12 Safety When Working at Heights
12.1 Ladder Safety
13 Choosing A Place to Install the Collector Array
14 Pump and Solar PV Panel Test
14.1 What if the Pump Won’t Start?
15 Collector Array Configurations
15.1 Array Configurations Not Recommend
16 Roof Attachment Options
16.1 Tile Roof Mounting Frame
17 Corrugated Metal Roof Aluminium Angle Mounting Options
17.1 Aluminium Angle Mounting Options
17.2 Thermal Expansion Gaps for Aluminium Channels
17.3 Metal Roof Screw Selection and Method
18 Collector Mounting Procedure
19 Collector Array Plumbing Connections
20 Roof Fixings
20.1 Application of the PVC Coated Stainless Steel Straps
20.2 Single or Multi-Row Metal Roof Fixings Wind Region A
20.3 Single or Multi-Row Metal Roof Fixings for Wind Regions B & C
20.4 Single or Multi-Row Tile Roof Fixings for Wind Region A & B
20.5 Perforated Band Under-Tile Anchor Point (For Region B or Two row arrays)

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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21 Wind Proofing
21.1 Ultimate Peak Wind Loadings per Panel
21.2 Frequency of Extra Fixings for Different Regions
21.3 Wind Region Definitions
21.4 Terrain Category Definitions
21.5 Roof Edge Exclusions Zones
22 Plumbing Diagram
23 Suction Line / Pump / By-Pass Line / Bubble Chamber Configuration
23.1 Installation of the By-Pass Ports and Line
23.2 Suction Plumbing Configurations Not Allowed
24 Different Plumbing Situations
24.1 From Spa to Roof Collector Plumbing Setup
24.2 From Spa to Ground Run to Roof Collector Plumbing Setup (Extra Vac Valve Required)
24.3 From Spa to Ground Mounted Collector Plumbing Setup
25 Allowable Plumbing Variations
25.1 Dual Pump Setups
26 Solar PV Panel Mounting
26.1 Solar PV Panel Location
26.2 Extending the Electrical Wires
27 Installing the Over-Temperature Thermostat
27.1 Adjusting the Spa Temperature
28 Connecting the Inline Over-Temperature Thermostat and Extension Wire
29 Switching the System ON for the First Time
29.1 Check for Balanced Water Flow through All Collectors
29.2 Air Bubbles in the Return Port
30 Important Installation Check List
31 Further Operating Instructions
31.1 Legionaries Risk
32 Service and Maintenance Schedule
32.1 Collector Puncture Repair Procedure
33 Trouble Shooting

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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1Key Terms
This manual was written to follow guidelines and recommendations given in:
•AS 3634 - 1989 Solar heating systems for swimming pools
•AS 1170.2 - 2011 (Amend 2 Dec 2012) Structural design actions - Wind actions
•-cover authority
•AS 3000 (2007) Sections 6.3, 6.4 & 6.5
•AS 1926.1 & 1926.2 (2007) swimming pool safety - location of safety barrier
Please print this manual out and keep it for your reference. Please take the time to read the entire manual before
starting any work. Particular attention should be given to text contained in the following key terms.
Please note EcoOnline has a strong product safety policy; do not install products without reading safety guidelines in
the manual. Please report any product safety issues or near misses to [e-mail] no matter how trivial.
Refers to useful information for the optimal operation of the system
Indicates a SAFETY issue that is likely to cause injury or death if the user does not
follow the instructions.
Indicates a SAFETY issue that may cause injury or death if the user does not follow the
instructions.
Indicates a SAFETY issue that may cause injury or property damage if the user does
not follow the instructions
Refers to critically important information related to the correct functioning of the
system.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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2Pre-Installation Suitability & Safety Checklist
The following outlines mandatory suitability and safety requirements for installing a  heating system.
Please read carefully, if any of the following requirements cannot be meet a Vertex system should NOT be purchased
or installed.
Building regulations vary from state to state and MUST override any instructions supplied in
the Vertex system manual. It is the responsibility of the purchaser/installer to check that
installations comply with any relevant state laws and regulations.
For ground level collector installations the installer MUST check child safety fence regulations
in the relevant state. Under no circumstances should collectors be installed so as to
compromise the effectiveness of a child pool or spa fence safety barrier by providing a
climbable object.
The safety over-thermostat MUST be installed for systems involving an oversized collector array
greater than 100% pool coverage area or for highly insulated spa pools due to the potential for
overheating in summer.
Potential flooding resulting from the failure of the Vertex systems plumbing connections or
extreme weather events must be considered by the purchaser/installer, such that flood water
from such a failure at any point of a Vertex system will drain safely.
Due to the potential of falling from heights, mounting the solar panels on a roof or
structure at heights should only be undertaken by a professional solar panel installer,
unless you are accustomed to and confident of performing the work safely.
Due to the remote possibility of a water drain down event caused by the Vertex system, this
system should not be installed on a pool or spa pool with a mains power electrical devise that
does not have a working over temperature protection device and/or will not fail safely in
the event of dry running.
At present this collector array system is not recommended for exposed installations in
cyclonic regions C or D, or on houses situated on top of hills in cyclonic region B, or on
second story (or higher) roofs. Installations on tiles are for Wind Region A only.
The Vertex system is for heating outdoor chlorinated or otherwise treated spas ONLY. This
system is not to be used to heat indoor spas (chlorinated or otherwise) OR fresh bodies of
water due to the potential for Legionaries bacteria build up.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical,
sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their
safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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3Warranties

•20 year return to base Warranty on all MOTECH cell solar PV panels
•5 year return to base limited Warranty on all Vertex system HDPE collectors
•1 year return to base limited Warranty on all Vertex system pumps
See our Terms and Conditions page for further details: www.EcoOnline.com.au/terms-and-conditions
4System Sizing Guarantee
Sizing systems is difficult involving a lot of factors which we could get wrong. Hence in addition to the above
Warranties EcoOnline offers a System Sizing Guarantee as follows. If we sized your system (or you use our online
calculator) 
purchase up to 25% more panels originally supplied by EcoOnline up to two years after your original purchase and
we will ship the items free of shipping charges.
The Vertex System is not self-priming and requires the installation of the pump outside
of but below the waterline of your pool/spa.
Customer please note: Collector warranty is VOID if collectors are installed:
•without a vacuum release valve on the inlet line,
•or in a manner that prevents collector from fully draining when the pump stops.
Such installations will expose the collectors to strong fatiguing positive/negative pressures,
and/or stagnant hot chlorinated water on hot days. These situations will have detrimental
effects on the collectors which will limit lifetimes and can also result in significant
shrinkage of the collectors which would put strain on roof attachments means.
Pump warranty is VOID if pumps are installed:
•with a pump height greater than 3.5m (per pump for dual pumps)
•or installed above the waterline or without the protective bypass line,
•or with inappropriately sloped or non air tight suction line,
•or with the suction line tee’d into the mains pump filter line without independent
suction ports installed,
•or without the Vertex strainer.
The Vertex System requires the installation of an independent suction line; Teeing into
the mains pump filter circuit is not allowed.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
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5Collector and Solar Pump Sizing Guide
An interactive collector and pump sizing calculator,
for vinyl covered spas pools can be found on our website:
www.ecoonline.com.au/covered-spa-heating-system-sizing-calculator
for uncovered or blanket covered pools or swim spas please use the calculator here:
www.ecoonline.com.au/uncovered-swim-spa-heating-system-sizing-calculator
6Spa Chemistry Compatibility Guide
Incompatible Chemistries
Alternatives Chemistry
✘Bromide Based Chlorination
✔Any other Chlorination or Sanitation
✘Hydrochloric Acid
✔Sodium Bisulphate Acid
✘Acidic Water (pH less than 7.2)
✔Water pH greater than 7.6
7Roof Type Compatibility Guide
The average air gap distance between the mounted collector and roof structure has a strong
influence on wind loadings. If panels are to be installed on a roof then the following should
be observed to limit wind uplift potential.
1) Installed panels should lay flat close to the roof structure. It is recommend the air
gap distance between the bottom of the installed collector and the valley points of
the roof corrugations should be no greater than approximately 40mm.
2) Panels should have adequate clearance from roof edges.
3) Panels on roofs should not be mounted on tilt frames.
This system is not compatible with bromide chlorination, hydrochloric acid use and/or acidic
pool/spa water (pH less than 7.2). Sodium Carbonate must be added to protect the system
from acidic pH (<7). pH should be maintained between 7.2-7.8 for maximum system longevity.
If required Sodium Bisulphate acid can be used to keep the pH down.
For maximum pump and system longevity we strongly recommend a non-chlorine/bromide
based sanitation method.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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Roof Type
Peak to Valley Measure
Recommendations
Standard Corrugated Iron roof (Custom Orb)
17mm
Use Respective Wind Region Fixings
Relatively Flat Tile roof
Less than 25mm
Use Respective Wind Region Fixings
Spandek Iron roof
24mm
Use Respective Wind Region Fixings
Modulated Tile roof
Greater than 25mm
Use Next Level Wind Region Fixings
Trimdek Iron roof
29mm
Use Next Level Wind Region Fixings
Klip-lok Iron roof
43mm
Use Highest Wind Region C Fixings
Flatdek Iron roof
45mm
Use Highest Wind Region C Fixings
8Wind and Climate Considerations






Panels installed above the roof structure with 50mm or greater underneath air gaps
experience much higher wind loadings and are now subject to the Australian wind loading
standard AS/NZD 1170.2.
It is the responsibility of the installer to consider wind loading factors, see 
section below. If the installation site is within strong wind speed areas then the extra
stainless steel guide line must be installed across each row with the in-between panel
anchor points. Do not assume supplied components are sufficient.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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9Included System Components
Panel Kit (if purchased)
1 × HDPE collector panel
2 × 40mm reinforced silicon joiners
4 × Stainless steel hose clamps
6 × 316 stainless straps (black)
1 × 10cm length perforated 316 stainless band
12V Solar Pump Kit
1 × 20/40/60W 12V Solar pump with electrical
connector (max 3.5 pump height)
1 × 40W or 60W Solar panel with PVC wire, connector
and under-temperature thermostat
Vertex Base Plumbing Kit Components
1 × Vacuum (and
positive pressure)
air release valve
1 × Vertex Strainer, flex line
outlet & by-pass line kit
1 × PVC non-return and
25mm bubble chamber kit
2 × 40mm hose barb to
25/32mm PVC glue
socket/take off

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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Safety Over-Temperature Thermostat Kit
2 × 25mm ID Armaflex pipe insulation
1 × 60mm ID Armaflex pipe insulation
1 × Aluminium U-channel
1 × Twin 40°C thermostats with 2m cord and positive disconnect connector
3 × PVC coated stainless cable ties
1 × 5m PVC Extension Wire
Roof Mounting (Solar roof hook supplied only if requested and purchased)
1 × 304 Stainless solar roof hook (height adjustable)
Dimensions: A = 47.5mm,B = 112mm,C = 60mm

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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10 Additional Required Components (Not Supplied)
10.1 Ground Mounting Support Frame
You may need to build a support frame for your collector array, if so you may require the following:
•Two 70mm x 35mm 1.3m treated pine length per collector (lengths depend on mounting preferences)
•Two 70mm x 35mm 1.1m treated pine length per collector. (Preferably, if transport is available these
horizontal lengths should span the collector array or be as long as possible, see section 6.1 below)
•60mm galvanized timber screws.
•Black outdoor paint (optional)
10.2 Roof Mounting
If installing the panels on a roof you will also require the following extra items.
These are available in any plumbing store. The aluminium angle is available from Capral Ltd. or Ullrich Aluminium
Pty. Ltd.
10.3 Additional Plumbing Components
You also require some of the following extra items depending on your system. These should be available in any
spa/swimming pool supplier.
32mm x 32mm x 3mm Aluminium angle
4mm stainless steel cable & four cable ties per row
PVC 20mm &
25mm piping
Spa suction and
return adapters
P-type PVC
cement & primer

flexible PVC hose
(note: requires
special flex cement)
Other 20mm or 25mm
PVC plumbing bits
We recommend AS 1477 compliant PVC 20mm piping with PN9 pressure rating or greater

flexible PVC hose for suction line pump plumbing for frost prone areas. (Do not use any
irrigation fittings as they are not compatible with chlorinated water).

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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11 Required Tools
- Battery powered hand drill with 8mm Hex socket - Screwdriver with 8mm socket fitting
- Clear silicon - Hack saw (metal blade to reduce PVC filing size)
- PVC glue (Green pressure) - Level
- Soldering iron - 3mm drill bit
12 Safety When Working at Heights
The installer should always take the necessary safety precautions:
•Choose an appropriate day: cool, dry, calm and partly cloudy.
•Plan out your install: make sure you have all required components, tools and have plenty of allocated time.
•Only work at heights when you are well rested and alert.
•Never work alone, always work with at least one other person.
•Always use a safety harness or fall arrest system attached to appropriate roof anchor points.
•Wear clothes that fit well but that do not restrict movement.
•Use proper non-slip shoes.
•Use sunscreen.
12.1 Ladder Safety
The chance of a falling from a ladder should never be
underestimated. Use only solid industrial grade ladders in good
repair that have been checked for faults.
Note: even a small unexpected movement of the ladder, such as a
small slip, can cause loss of balance and result in a fall.
The ladder should be placed on solid ground and should ALWAYS be
securely anchored at the base and secured at the top to prevent
slipping.
WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHTS - SAFETY COMES FIRST. A person can easily fall off a ladder
or roof and be seriously injured. For installations on a roof pitch greater than 22° and/or a
double story house we strongly recommend a highly competent professional installer install
your solar collector array. The installer MUST use an appropriate safety harness.
Solar panels should not be mounted in windy or gusty conditions; a panel can easily be caught
in the wind and cause a loss of balance and result in a fall.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
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13 Choosing A Place to Install the Collector Array
When choosing a location for your collector array you should consider the following in order of importance:
1. Shading - the collectors should receive no shading between the hours 10am to 4pm.
2. Wind - the collector array should be mounted in a relatively sheltered location or with appropriate wind
proofing.
3. Direction - collectors should face NNW for maximum heat collection, however acceptable directions face
between NE to W only. Systems facing other directions will have significantly impaired performance.
4. Distant to pool/spa - collectors should be as close as possible to your spa (or pool), or have insulated lines.
5. Mounting elevation - flatter elevations (< 45°) collect more heat in the summer while installations closer to
vertical (> 45°) produce more heat during spring/autumn.
The figure to the left shows an example of a Child Safety
Barrier marked with a dashed line. A collector array
should not be mounted near the Child Safety Barrier -
both on the inside and outside of the Pool Area unless
proper clearances are observed. Consult your Local
Government, The Building Commission or SPASA for
details regarding pool safety barriers in your state.
Please keep up to date with regulations as they change
over time. For more information see, AUSTRALIAN
STANDARDS 1926.1 2007 AND 1926.2 2007 FOR POOL
SAFETY BARRIERS.
•Do not install the collectors leaning against the
outside of a Child Safety Barrier so as to create a
climbable object for children to access the pool or spa.
•Collectors installed inside the pool area in front
of a boundary fence must be offset away from the
boundary fence with the proper clearance from the top
of the fence so as not to provide a foothold for a child climbing into the pool area.
•Do not install the collectors too close to the inside of a Child Safety Barrier so as to provide foot or
handholds from the outside of the barrier.
•For spa pools and above ground pools do not lean the collector array against the side of the spa or pool so as
to create a ramp or climbable object.
For ground mounted arrays, under no circumstances should a collector array be mounted in
anyway so as to compromise the effectiveness of a pool or spa Child Safety Barrier.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 14
14 Pump and Solar PV Panel Test
1) On a  sunny day, place the solar panel in full sun and wait 15 minutes for the panels under
temperature thermostat mounted inside the . If required warm with a hair
dryer.
2) Place the pump inside a bucket of water (the pump is submersible).
3) Connect the solar PV panel; the pump should start in 3-4 secs.
14.1 What if the Pump Won’t Start?
1) Check that there is sufficient sun and that no cell of the panel is shaded.
2) Check that the under-temperature thermostat is ON and that the panel is
producing power (if a multimeter is not available, insert an old 50W halogen
globe into the panels electrical connect do not do this is full sun, angle panel to
sun to reduce power).
3) 
positive and negative connections line up.
4) If it [e-mail] for
technical support.
During the following test DO NOT allow the pump to run completely dry as this will damage
the pump.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 15
15 Collector Array Configurations
15.1 Array Configurations Not Recommend
To make sure all air bubbles are evacuated upon filling, collectors MUST be installed
with a minimum recommended pitch of 5ideally the top header pipe should
have a 1 or 2° upward slope toward the top outlet return, such that the top outlet
return corner of the collector array at the highest point.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 16
16 Roof Attachment Options
16.1 Tile Roof Mounting Frame
Note the high thermal contraction and natural relaxation of HDPE: Collectors will contact (in
length) by up to 10mm over time and 12mm thermally across temperature extremes. Hence
any fixing means must account for an ultimate contraction of 22mm in length per panel.
Key design principles when choosing a roof mounting means:
1) Consider the high thermal contraction of HDPE
2) Panels should be as low down on the roof as possible to prevent the wind from
catching the underside of panels
3) The stainless steel straps must allow for thermal movement of panels.
For tile roofs we recommend using a minimum roof hook spacing of 600mm in the top and
le of install
and the dead weight of the collectors, you may require a higher density of roof hooks and/or
a stronger Aluminium L-angle, if unsure please seek advice.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 17
17 Corrugated Metal Roof Aluminium Angle Mounting Options
17.1 Aluminium Angle Mounting Options
17.2 Thermal Expansion Gaps for Aluminium Channels
For metal roofs we recommend using a minimum screw fixing space of 600mm when fixing

install, you may require a higher density of fixings and/or a stronger Aluminium angle, if
unsure please seek advice.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 18
17.3 Metal Roof Screw Selection and Method

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 19
18 Collector Mounting Procedure
It is strongly recommended that the top straps be applied while cool pool/spa water is
flowing through the panels.
Collectors will contact (in length) by up to 10mm over time and 12mm thermally for an
ultimate contraction of 22mm in length per panel. For a two row array strapped between
a top and bottom aluminium rail the total ultimate contraction is then 44mm. The top and
bottom strap must have sufficient play to account for this ultimate contraction.
The collectors can be walked on without damage. For tile roofs with solar roof hook care
should be taken not to step on or near a roof hook as you may crack a tile. Take extreme
care to use non-slip shoes and never walk on wet collectors. HDPE material is slippery and
waxy. If the collectors need to be walked on for mounting purposes, ALWAYS use a safety
harness and fall arrest system.

Vertex  -- Installation & User Manual
© Copyright 2021 Optex Solar Pty Ltd. All rights strictly reserved.
Page 20
19 Collector Array Plumbing Connections
BEFORE CUTTING - put aside two collectors per row with undamaged
end caps. For all remaining collectors cut the single end cap off using a
sharp blade.
Check all collector pipe connections for raised edges or grooves on the
weld lines which could channel water and cause leaks. Shave any edges or
grooves flat with a blade being careful not to cut into the pipe.
Insert silicon joiners and moderately tighten the hose clamps using with
an 8mm hex socket. Do not glue in silicon joiners. If there is a pin hole
leak, a small amount of silicon can be used to seal. Note: -
tighten these with cool water running through the collectors at a later
stage, as HDPE has a high thermal contraction.
The barb end of inlet/outlet PVC adapter should be glued into the 40mm
silicon joiner with any neutral cure silicon. A flat spatula type surface
should be used to push silicon into the barbs indentations (as shown).
Why? PVC barbs can soften at extreme roof stagnation temperatures and
contract sightly with clamp pressure. HDPE on the other hand will not
soften significantly at the maximum roof stagnation temperature of ~80˚C.
The non-barb end of inlet/outlet PVC adapter should be glued into 25mm
PVC piping.
Laceration hazard: Always cut away from your
body and ensure no parts of the body are in front
of the cutting blade. Plastic can be softened by
heating.