SmartPool Sunheater User manual

FOR ABOVEGROUND POOLS
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY. YOUR ENJOYMENT OF YOUR SOLAR HEATED POOL
AND YOUR WARRANTY ARE AFFECTED BY HOW YOUR SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM IS INSTALLED
CAUTION: a) Solar collectors are often installed on the roofs of buildings. Unless you are very familiar with working
on roofs and have the proper ladders and safety equipment for such work, you should hire someone with
the necessary experience to do the installation. Failure to observe safe practices on a roof or other elevated
structure may result in falling, leading to serious injury to you.
b) When installing collectors on the ground, do not build a rack support that could allow children access
into the pool.
How Solar Pool Heating Works Why SunHeaterTM Works Best
• Using your pool pump, water
is automatically pumped
through the solar collector.
• The water is then heated as it
moves through the collector.
• The heated water is returned
back to the pool, through
your return lines.
• You enjoy your own
heated pool with no
fuel costs!
• Water is heated as it moves through the many
tubes in the solar collectors.
• Tube and web design traps heat, catches light as
the sun moves across the sky.
• Tough polypropylene material won’t rust, corrode
or scale. Plus, the collector is reversible.
Collector Cross Section - Shown Actual Size
TM
INSTALLATION AND
OPERATION MANUAL

HowWell Does Solar Heating Work?
A properly sized and installed system will raise
pool temperatures 10-150during the season.
When it’s cloudy or rainy, solar won’t work as
well (and you probably won’t be swimming
during those times), but your water will be back
up to temperature after one or two warm days.
Do I Need A Special Pump?
If your pool pump is in good working condition,
there shouldn’t be any problem using your
existing pump. A one HP pump will handle
installations up to 30 feet away from the pool
equipment and one story up. If the collectors
are cool to the touch when the water is running
through them on a warm day, you are getting
enough flow.
How Many Collectors Should I Use?
Follow the sizing chart shown on box for best
results. If the sizing chart calls for more collectors
than you have purchased, the results will not be as
effective. For areas where the swimming season
can be year round, add an additional collector to
heat during the cooler months.
Where Can I PutThe Solar Collectors?
Anywhere you get full sun for at least six hours
during the day. The longer the collectors are in
full sun, the better they work. If you are mounting
on an angle (like a roof or rack), the collectors
should face in a southerly direction if possible.
What Additional PartsWill I Need
To Complete My Installation?
You will need the correct amount of pipe or hose
to connect the collectors to your pool equipment.
For rooftop installations, we suggest you use rigid
schedule 40 PVC pipe. You’ll need PVC primer,
glue and fittings. Glue and fittings are available
where you buy your pipe.
To mount on an angle (roof or rack) use kit #60633.
What About A Solar Blanket?
A solar blanket will hold the heat in the water at
night, especially early and late in the season. It
is best to remove the blanket on warm sunny
days so the solar energy can penetrate deep
down into the water rather than be blocked by
the opaque blanket material. Remember, your
Sunheater will heat the water and a blanket will
hold it in, but not heat it effectively.
ORIENTATION
BASIC SYSTEM LAYOUT
2

To install your solar heating system, you will require 2 hoses, one that will reach from the pool
equipment to the collector and one that reaches from the collector back to the pool.
1) Provide an area that is free of any sharp objects with full sun at least 6 hours a day.
2) Remove strap from collector and allow material to relax in the sun so it lays flat (30 minutes to
an hour). Remove and discard the plastic caps covering the threaded ends of the header
pipes at both ends of the collector. DO NOT LAY COLLECTOR ON THE GRASS - IT CAN
BURN THE LAWN UNDERNEATH.
3) Carefully thread the end caps onto the ends of the header without the label, using teflon tape
provided. (see page 7).
4) Carefully thread the elbow adapters onto the openings of THE HEADER WITH THE LABEL
using teflon tape (see page 7).
5) Turn off pool pump.
6) Go to the pool and plug the round return fitting on the pool wall from the inside so that water
won’t drain through it (a winter plug works well).
7) Clamp the end of the feed hose to the elbow adapter closest to the label, and the other end
to the filter.
8) Clamp the end of the return hose onto the other elbow adapter for return to pool.
9) Remove the hose that is clamped to the back of the return fitting.
10) Clamp the return hose onto the back of the round return fitting on the outside of the pool wall.
11) Remove the plug that you used on the inside of the pool return fitting.
The SunHeater is now ready for startup. See page 8
BASIC INSTALLATION OF
SUNHEATER SOLAR POOL HEATERS
REQUIRED: • Flathead screwdriver
• Appropriate length hoses for feeding and returning from the collector
3

CAUTION:
DO NOT BUILD A RACK SUPORT AGAINST THE SIDE OF
THE POOL OR AGAINST A POOL FENCE THAT COULD ALLOW
CHILDREN TO CLIMB UP AND OVER INTO THE POOL.
OPTIONAL RACK MOUNTING INFORMATION
Many poolowners prefer to construct a rack for mounting their collectors on the ground. Your solar col-
lector will heat best if it is insulated against the ground, especially early in the season when the ground
is still cold. A platform or even black plastic under the collector will help.
If the collector is to be mounted on a sloped rack, please refer to the drawing below for a suggested
design and a bill of materials. A sloped rack should face in a southerly direction, get full sun for most of
the day and be constructed so that it does not provide access to the pool for children.
4

Required: Roof Mounting Kit #60633
Tools: • Silicone Sealant, (GE II or equivalent) if on roof.
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Hand Drill with 1/8” drill bit
Important:
Use only mounting hardware from the manufacturer.
Adding or using other hardware will void the warranty.
Remove the collector from the box and allow the material to relax in
the sun (30 minutes to an hour). Do not lay the collector on the grass
- it can burn the lawn underneath. Allow at least one foot around the
solar system for brackets and piping. Roof obstructions like vents
should be taken into consideration when laying out collectors. With a
roof vent up to 3” in diameter, the collectors can be placed on either
side of the vent.
Determine the position of the collector. The top mounting bracket will
be located at each slot along the length of the collector. The collector
should slope slightly toward the end caps to drain (winterization).
Locate the bottom mounting brackets directly below each top bracket
(see photos at left).
Drill 1/8” pilot holes for all brackets. Lag screws should be long
enough to reach the subroof under the shingles. Inject a generous
amount of silicone sealant into the holes and onto the surrounding
roof surface. Mount the bracket to the roof as shown with the bracket
centered in the slot. Inject additional silicone over screw head area.
OPTIONAL MOUNTING ON SLOPED SURFACE
ROOF • RACK • FENCE
HIGH WIND AREAS: Additional high wind hold down kit is
available for installations that may be subject to high winds. Not
included - see back page under “OPTIONS” for product number.
ROOF INSTALLATIONS: It is suggested that you use rigid PVC
pipe for roof installations.
Strap is provided in the proper lengths to span the collectors
vertically. Start by tying the strap to the top of the bracket and
run the strap to the bracket below it and tie to the bottom brack-
et. Do not add additional mounting hardware - the collector must
“float” on the brackets to expand and contract.
Fence mounting installations are
an option if space is a problem.
The collector may not heat as
effectively when mounted vertically,
especially early in the year, when
the sun is right overhead, but will
still heat your pool.
5

INSTALLATION OF MORE THAN ONE
COLLECTOR
6
END
CAP
END
CAP
• Slots are provided in each solar collector for mounting with brackets as shown.
• Maximum of two 4’x20’ collectors may be plumbed in series, or three 2’x20’ collectors.
• Pitch the collectors slightly toward the end caps for winterizing and draining (1”-2”).
• Do not use mounting hardware other than what is available from the manufacturer.
Your warranty is void if other hardware is used.

CONNECT HOSE OR PIPE
Wrap all threaded ends of the headers and fittings
with teflon tape provided for a watertight seal.
7
Thread the elbow adapters onto the header
with the label.
Clamp flexible hose to the adapter. The adapter
will take 1 1/4 inch or 1 1/2 inch hose. For rigid PVC pipe, replace the elbow adapters with 1 1/2 inch elbow (female thread X socket) to
glue pipe. The elbows are available where you
buy your 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe.

Startup
REVIEW PAGE 3 FOR CONNECTING THE SYSTEMTO THE EQUIPMENT AND POOL PROPERLY.
1) Check all your connections to be sure they are tight.
2) If you are using a manual diverter system, turn the valve to send water through the solar system.
3) Turn on the pump, check for leaks and tighten any connections that need attention.
4) You will see air bubbles being pushed into your pool as the solar system is purged of air. This should stop after a few minutes.
Operation
1) The collector should feel cool to the touch when water is passing through. This means that the heat is being
transferred to the water.
2) The water returning to your pool will be a few degrees (3-5 degrees) warmer than the pool itself. This is the most
efficient way to heat a large body of water like a pool. Keep turning the water over and add a few degrees each pass.
3) Only circulate your water through the solar collector during the daylight hours on warm days. If you circulate your
water through it at night or on chilly days, you will cool your pool water.
Winterization
The solar system must be drained for winterization. Freeze damage is not covered under your warranty! You must drain your
collectors just like you drain the rest of your pool equipment. Remove an end cap to be sure all the water is drained out of the
system, including any low points (sagging) in the collectors. You can leave the collectors in place as long as they are
completely drained. We recommend draining the collector completely, rolling it up and storing in a heated (nonfreezing) area.
SunHeater
Aboveground
Heating System
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
Collector Repair
IF THE COLLECTOR DEVELOPS A LEAK
Your SunHeater is guaranteed against defects in materials and workman-
ship. If a leak develops for any other reason, you may use the repair
method shown below:
SOLAR COLLECTOR REPAIR
This method allows for an easy and permanent, on-site repair of a
collector by isolating the leaking riser tube. Referring to the figure below,
locate the tube to be isolated. (End tube has been shown for clarity)
Using a sharp utility knife, very carefully cut away approximately 1” of the
tube at both headers. Drive a #10 sheet metal screw, preferably stainless,
into the hole in the header. The screw must be between 1/2” and 3/4”
long. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! If
the screw strips out, or if the repair
leaks, use a #12 screw. This
repair method will not void
the collector warranty.
Enjoy your solar heated pool
for many years to come. With
proper care & winterization,
SunHeater collectors
will last more than
ten years.
Qty Description
1 Quality Polypropylene Collector
2 Threaded Elbow Adapters
2 End Caps
2 1 1/4” Stainless Steel Clamps
1 Roll of Teflon Tape
1 Installation Manual
Part #19516 ©SmartPool Inc. 10/00 SmartPool Inc, Lakewood, NJ 732/928-9446 8
Item# Description
60633 Roof/Rack Mounting Kit
(ask your dealer)
60636 High Wind Mounting Kit
60635 Manual Diverter Valve (ask your dealer)
18023 Connector Kit (ask your dealer)
Options