GRAND SOLAR BLAZING TUBES User manual

GRAND SOLAR INC.
BLAZING TUBES
INTEGRAL COLLECTOR STORAGE WATER HEATER
INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL

BLAZING TUBES INTEGRAL COLLECTOR
STORAGE WATER HEATER
INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTE-
NANCE MANUAL
The Blazing Tubes domestic solar water heating system has gone through an extensive
design, technical and performance review by the Solar Rating & Certification Corpora-
tion (SRCC). The installation of your Blazing Tubes system is intended to be executed
by properly licensed and experienced professional contractors in accordance with
SRCC Standard OG-300, "Operating Guidelines and Minimum Standards For Certify-
ing", and must conform to applicable federal, state and local regulations, codes, ordi-
nances and standards governing the installation of solar water heating systems.
The solar energy system described by this manual, when properly installed and main-
tained, meets the minimum standards established by the SRCC. This certification does
not imply endorsement or warranty of this product by the SRCC.
OG-300 system certification is granted to Grand Solar by the SRCC. It may not be used
for any commercial purpose without the prior written consent of Grand Solar. Grand So-
lar must approve any deviation from the materials and methods described in this man-
ual in writing.
Blazing Tubes units may be safely installed in areas within the continental United States
that experience mild winter climates.
Because Blazing Tubes unit has superior heat conservation characteristics it may be
safely installed wherever mild winters are the norm. However geographic areas, which
experience continuous hard freezes, are inappropriate for Blazing Tubes installations.
Do not install if local temperatures ever fall to:
10ºF / -12˚C for 6 consecutive hours, or
20ºF / -7˚C for 18 consecutive hours
Grand Solar prohibits the installation of Blazing Tubes systems in any areas susceptible
to temperatures lower than those stated above. Warranty coverage is voided in the
event this prohibition is ignored.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1) INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1
2) SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE.......................................................... 2
3) INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS - GENERAL - .......................................................................... 2
A. Permits .................................................................................................................................... 2
B. Code........................................................................................................................................ 2
C. Structural & Shading Considerations ....................................................................................... 2
D. Roof and Site Inspection.......................................................................................................... 2
E. Confirmation of Installation Site ............................................................................................... 2
4) INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS - SPECIFIC - ........................................................................... 3
A. Location, Orientation and Tilt ................................................................................................... 3
B. Blazing tubes Roof Mounting Procedures, Materials and Methods........................................... 3
C. Ground Mounting..................................................................................................................... 5
D. System Plumbing..................................................................................................................... 5
E. Plumbing Two Blazing Tubes................................................................................................... 8
F. Insulation Procedures .............................................................................................................. 8
5) SYSTEM START UP PROCEDURES ............................................................................................. 9
6) OVERHEAT PROTECTION ...........................................................................................................10
7) ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ..................................................................................10
8) SYSTEM COMPONENTS ..............................................................................................................11
9) ESTIMATED COMPONENT LIFE ..................................................................................................11
10) SYSTEM MODEL NUMBERS ......................................................................................................11

1Grand Solar Inc. Blazing Tubes Manual
PREFACE
Let us first offer two words of grateful appreciation. Thank You! We sincerely appreciate your
business. Grand Solar also wishes to say thank you for “going solar.” Solar water heating sys-
tems reduce our nation’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels, minimize the greenhouse gas
emissions associated with conventional water heating and, very importantly, lower your monthly
utility costs.
Your Blazing Tubes system has been designed to meet exacting SRCC certification require-
ments. The specific components found in your system have been selected by your contractor
for their proven reliability, longevity and performance.
1) INTRODUCTION
Solar water heating systems are climate and site specific appliances. Different types of solar
systems are installed around the world based upon local and regional weather and water quality
conditions. System performance varies as a function of household hot water load, including
daily showers and baths, laundry and kitchen uses, local ground water and ambient air tempera-
tures, your home’s roof pitch and orientation and, of course, the seasonal intensity of solar ra-
diation. These variables, some of which change from home to home in the same neighborhood,
will determine how much energy and money your Blazing Tubes system will save on an annual
basis.
This manual is intended as a basic solar water heating primer. Our goal is to familiarize you
with the proper installation, operation and maintenance of your Blazing Tubes system. This sys-
tem is required to be installed by properly licensed solar or plumbing contractors in accordance
with SRCC certification requirements and all applicable national, state and local codes, ordi-
nances and regulations governing solar water heating systems as well as good trade practices.
Failure to follow the procedures and practices described in this manual can void the manufac-
turer’s warranty for specific component parts.

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2) SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND
OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE
The Blazing Tubes is an integral collector stor-
age system. Systems combine the collector and
storage tank in a single roof-mounted unit. sys-
tems, in general, serve as pre-heaters for con-
ventional electric or gas water heaters. In some
parts of the world the Blazing Tubes may serve
as the sole water heater or will be used in con-
junction with a tankless, wall-mounted instanta-
neous gas water heater.
The Blazing Tubes also is referred to as a “pas-
sive” system because it does not require me-
chanical pumps, thermostats, sensors, wiring or
electricity to make hot water. Your Blazing
Tubes will neither freeze nor overheat during
prolonged periods of disuse if installed and main-
tained in accordance with the instructions con-
tained in this manual.
The inherent simplicity and durability of the Blaz-
ing Tubes makes it a popular choice for the con-
tinental U.S. Sunbelt or markets outside the U.S.
where persistent hard freezes do not occur.
The Blazing Tubes System combines collection
and storage of solar heated water within eight 5”
glass vacuum tubes. Mechanically attached to
these tubes are eight EPDM boots, which house
eight copper heat exchangers, plumbed in se-
ries. Insulation surrounds these boots and their
internal heat exchangers, helping conserve the
heat collected by the glass tubes. These tubes
get filled with non-pressurized water, which acts
as a thermal battery for collected solar energy.
Pressurized domestic water flows though the
copper heat exchangers upon demand. Each
Blazing Tubes unit supplies 40 gallons of solar
hot water in a completely passive manner. The
Blazing Tubes system is used in conjunction with
any conventional gas, oil or electric water heater.
3) INSTALLATION
REQUIREMENTS -GENERAL -
A. Permits
The contractor shall obtain all required permits
and approvals.
B. Code
The installation shall conform to all federal, state
and local regulations, codes, ordinances and
standards governing solar water heating system
installations, and the contractor shall adhere to
sound building safety and trade practices. Spe-
cial consideration must be given to building code
requirements for roof loading and the penetration
of structural members and fire rated assemblies.
C. Structural & Shading Considera-
tions
The Blazing Tubes must be located in a structur-
ally sound area of the roof that will be unshaded
for the majority of the day all year round. Adja-
cent buildings and trees should be checked for
possible winter shading. An instrument such as
the Solar Pathfinder can be used for solar site
analysis. (Solar Pathfinder can be reached at
605-528-6473).
D. Roof and Site Inspection
Before the installation, the contractor shall in-
spect the condition of the roof and notify the
homeowner of any existing roof damage or nec-
essary repairs.
E. Confirmation of Installation Site
The homeowner and contractor shall confirm the
location of all roof and ground mounted compo-
nents in advance of the installation.

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4) INSTALLATION
REQUIREMENTS -SPECIFIC -
A. Location, Orientation and Tilt
Depending upon the model purchased, single
Blazing Tubes units will weigh between 321 and
597 pounds when filled. DO NOT proceed with
the installation unless the roof can safely support
the unit. Consult your local building code for
structural requirements before beginning the in-
stallation.
The thermal performance of the Blazing Tubes is
optimized in the Northern Hemisphere when the
unit is mounted facing True South. Actual per-
formance, however, suffers very little when the
unit is oriented no more than 45º East or West of
True South. The unit should be unshaded for the
middle six hours of each day throughout the
year.
The slope of your roof will have an impact on
thermal performance. We recommend that you
tilt the unit to achieve an angle from horizontal
that is equal to your latitude plus an additional 10
degrees. This tilt angle favors the lower winter
sun when system performance may suffer and
minimizes overheating during the hot summer
months.
To ensure optimal performance the unit must
maintain a minimum angle from horizontal of at
least 10º.
Never mount the Blazing Tubes directly or paral-
lel to a flat roof.
B. Blazing tubes Roof Mounting Pro-
cedures, Materials and Methods
In continental North America it is best to mount
the Blazing Tubes horizontally on a south facing
roof (fig 1). If necessary, the unit may be
mounted on an east or west-facing roof, with the
long axis perpendicular to the ridge and eve, and
tilted toward the south. In two unit installations on
east or west facing roofs, the Blazing Tubes must
be mounted in a staggered, or “saw tooth”, con-
figuration (See figure 3). For flat roof installations
the unit must maintain a minimum angle from
horizontal of 10˚.
The Blazing Tubes must be mounted in accor-
dance with the materials and methods detailed in
figures 5 to 11. Use integrated Solar Strut ano-
dized aluminum mounting hardware for mounting
the unit.
Secure the Solar Strut mounting hardware di-
rectly to the rafters or support cross bracing. At-
tach the Blazing Tubes to the Solar Strut mount-
ing hardware with anodized aluminum mounting
clips and a stainless steel nut, bolt, lock washer
and flat washer. When the unit is flush mounted
(figure 5) it should be anchored to the roof by no
less than four support footings, two on each side
of the unit.

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Follow these general principles when mounting
the Blazing Tubes:
B.1 The roof must be rated to safely support the
weight of the unit when filled with water.
B.2 The Blazing Tubes should be mounted as
close to the storage tank as practical in order to
minimize heat loss in the piping runs.
B.3 Grand Solar recommends that the Blazing
Tubes be raised from the roof surface at least
1-1/2” to allow for rainwater and debris to pass
under the unit and for proper ventilation of the
roofing material.
B.4 In selecting mounting hardware and fasten-
ers it is extremely important to avoid galvanic
corrosion resulting from the direct contact of in-
compatible metals. Use of Grand Solar anodized
aluminum “Solar Strut” mounting hardware and
stainless steel lag or hanger bolts, lock washers
and round washers is recommended. In climates
subject to severe winters or high humidity use of
galvanized fasteners is prohibited.
B.5 Preserving the integrity of the roof mem-
brane is the most important roofing considera-
tion. Ensure that all roof penetrations required to
plumb and mount the solar collector are properly
flashed and sealed in accordance with standard
roofing practices. Tremco “POLYroof” is the rec-
ommended elastomer for sealing roof penetra-
tions. Henry Co. 204, 208 or 209 roof mastic or
Dow Corning Glazing Sealant also are approved
sealants.
B.6 If the Blazing Tubes is mounted on a flat roof
or the ground, a Blazing Tubes Tilt Mount Kit is
required (figures 7 and 11). Optimal system per-
formance is achieved by establishing a rack an-
gle from horizontal equal to latitude plus ten de-
grees
B.7 If the region is subject to hurricane condi-
tions, additional steps may be required to secure
the collector and mounting hardware the
the structural members. In certain areas of the
country, local building codes may require collec-
tor wind load testing or prescribe specific mount-
ing procedures. Consult your local building de-
partment.
fig. 6
fig. 5
fig. 7

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C. Ground Mounting
The Blazing Tubes can be ground mounted.
The unit must have a stable, permanent foun-
dation. This may be either a concrete slab or
four standard concrete piers embedded in the
ground. All bolts and fasteners should be ei-
ther cast in place or anchored and then ep-
oxyed into the slab or pier. All exposed bolt
threads used to secure the Blazing Tubes
mounting rack must be thoroughly coated with sili-
cone oil to prevent corrosion.
Buried copper tubing must be insulated in accor-
dance with the instructions in section 4F below. All
insulated lines must be buried above the water ta-
ble and use a clean fill such as a sand layer of 3” to
5” to protect the insulation before backfilling. All
buried material must be properly sealed at all the
seams and butt joints with Rubatex Contact Adhe-
sive or equal. For optimum performance, the insu-
lated lines should be encased in a conduit to pro-
tect the material from problems associated with
groundwater or frost.
D. System Plumbing
The Blazing Tubes should be plumbed with all
copper and brass fittings and valves. Use of galva-
nized fittings is prohibited. Solar loop piping shall
be a minimum 2/4” Type-M copper tubing. 2/4”
Type-L continuous soft copper tubing is recom-
mended for all attic pipe runs. No tubing connec-
tions or solder joints should be made in the attic.
Use only lead-free solder (Englehard Silvabrite 100
is recommended). DO NOT use CPVC, PVC or
any type of plastic piping in the solar loop. The
Blazing Tubes can produce temperatures that will
melt plastic piping.
Figure 13 details the plumbing connection between
the Blazing Tubes and the conventional electric or
gas water heater.
The Blazing Tubes units have pressurized water
flowing through their copper heat exchangers. In
fig. 8
fig. 9
fig. 10
fig. 11

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addition the 5” diameter, six foot long, vacuum
tubes and the attached EPDM boots are per-
manently filled with non-pressurized water (fig-
ure 12).
Each unit is designed with designated water
ports. The two marked “pressurized” are where
the household water flows upon demand by
residents. Two half-inch ball valves are at-
tached to other ports labeled “non-pressurized”.
These valves are to be operated only by
authorized, licensed installers. In addition one
of these non-pressurized valves is equipped
with a solenoid valve, which disallows unau-
thorized filing during daylight hours. A light
sensitive electronic unit activated the solenoid
to be open only at nighttime.
In plumbing the conventional water heater use only
copper and brass fittings, nipples and unions. Gal-
vanized fittings and dielectric unions may not be
used. All connections should be hard copper. Wa-
ter heater flex hose connectors use gaskets that
become brittle and compressed over time and may
cause leaks.
Tank plumbing must allow for the isolation of the
water heater from the city cold water supply line by
means of an isolating ball valve (figure 13, valve 7).
A high quality thermostatic mixing valve is a re-
quired component on all OG-300 certified systems
and should be plumbed in line with brass union
connections for ease of future repair or replace-
ment (figure 13, component 10). The specified
mixing valve shall be the Heatguard model
HGBASE or equal and shall have an operating
range between 95ºF and 140ºF. Set the mixing
valve to operate at 120ºF.
The temperatures generated by the Blazing Tubes
unit will vary throughout the year. In the Northern
Hemisphere the water temperature will be hottest
in the spring and summer months while cooler
temperatures are to be expect from November
through March. On sunny days system tempera-
tures may range between 110ºF to 180ºF depend-
ing upon the season and hot water demand. The
mixing valve described above blends the hot and
cold water supplies to deliver hot water to your fix-
tures at a safe, controlled temperature
Fig. 12

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Fig. 13