Solahart SOLAR WATER HEATERS User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
Includes Installation Instructions
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
Solahart Industries Pty Ltd
ABN 45 064 945 848

CONTENTS
Here's How It Works................................................................................................................. 1
Facts You Should Know About Your Solahart Water Heater .................................................. 2
Operating Your Solar Water Heater ......................................................................................... 4
Maintenance ............................................................................................................................. 8
Installation Instructions - All Models ....................................................................................... 10
Installation Instructions –Closed Circuit Series...................................................................... 18
Installation Instructions –Open Circuit Series........................................................................ 24
Installer’s Checklist ................................................................................................................. 27
Servicing ................................................................................................................................. 27
Technical Specifications ......................................................................................................... 28
Annual Performance Calculations For Europe.................................................................................30
Installation Diagram Models 151J & 151KF .....................................................................................31
Installation Diagram Models 151L & 151L Free Heat ......................................................................32
Installation Diagram Models 181J, 181KF, 181J Free Heat & 181KF Free Heat.............................33
Installation Diagram Models 181L & 181L Free Heat ......................................................................34
Installation Diagram Models 182J, 182KF, 182J Free Heat & 182KF Free Heat.............................35
Installation Diagram Models 221J & 221KF .....................................................................................36
Installation Diagram Models 301J & 301KF .....................................................................................37
Installation Diagram Models 301L & 301L Free Heat ......................................................................38
Installation Diagram Models 302J, 302KF, 302J Free Heat & 302KF Free Heat.............................39
Installation Diagram Models 302L & 302L Free Heat ......................................................................40
Installation Diagram Models 303J, 303KF, 303J Free Heat & 303KF Free Heat.............................41
Installation Diagram Models 303L & 303L Free Heat ......................................................................42
Installation Diagram Models 443J, 443KF, 443J Free Heat & 443KF Free Heat.............................43
Installation Diagram Models 443L & 443L Free Heat ......................................................................44
Connection Details.................................................................................................................. 45
Solahart Thermosiphon Solar Water Heater Warranty .......................................................... 47
HOME OWNER: WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ PAGES 1 TO 9
The other pages are intended for the installer but may be of interest to you
33-1197 Revision F –Jan. 12

33-1197 Solahart Owner‟s Manual – Thermosiphon Systems - Revision F –Jan. 12 1
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
Solahart thermosiphon solar water heaters are available in two series:
Closed Circuit Series –J, KF, LCSC & BTC models
Open Circuit Series –L & LCSD models
Both series transfer heat absorbed from the sun by the solar collectors to the water storage tank through the Natural
Thermosiphon Principle without the need for pumps or sensors.
The Solahart collectors absorb solar energy. The low-iron content solar glass allows more solar energy to pass through and
be retained than conventional glass.
In the Closed Circuit Series, heat is absorbed by the collector and
passed to the „Hartgard‟ heat transfer liquid inside the collector. As the
temperature of the „Hartgard‟ increases, the hot fluid rises up through
the collector by the Natural Thermosiphon Principle, into the heat
exchanger jacket around the potable water storage tank. Here, the heat
is transferred to the potable water, cooling the „Hartgard‟ fluid.
The cooler fluid is then forced back down into the collectors through
the displacement action of further hot fluid rising up into the heat
exchanger jacket.
Diagram of Closed Circuit Series
The cooler fluid that has been forced down is again heated
in the collectors and rises back up to pass the heat to the
potable water in the storage tank. This circulation repeats
until all water in the storage tank is heated.
Open Circuit Series Closed Circuit Series
For the Open Circuit Series, heat is collected directly by the potable
water circulating through the collector. As the potable water heats up, it
rises by the Natural Thermosiphon Principle, directly to the storage
tank. As the heated potable water travels through to the storage tank,
the cooler potable water returns to the collectors. This circulation
repeats until all water in the storage tank is heated.
Diagram of Open Circuit Series

2 33-1197 Solahart Owner‟s Manual – Thermosiphon Systems - Revision F –Jan. 12
FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR
SOLAHART WATER HEATER
WARNING: FOR CONTINUED SAFETY OF THIS APPLIANCE IT MUST BE INSTALLED, OPERATED AND
MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER‟S INSTRUCTIONS.
CAUTION: THIS WATER HEATER IS ONLY INTENDED TO BE OPERATED BY PERSONS WHO
HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OR THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE CAPABILITIES TO DO SO.
THIS WATER HEATER IS NOT INTENDED TO BE OPERATED BY PERSONS WITH REDUCED
PHYSICAL, SENSORY OR MENTAL CAPABILITIES I.E. THE INFIRM AND CHILDREN.
CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE
WATER HEATER.
WARNING: THIS WATER HEATER USES 240 V AC POWER FOR THE ELECTRICALLY
OPERATED COMPONENTS. THE REMOVAL OF THE FRONT COVER WILL EXPOSE 240 V
WIRING. IT MUST ONLY BE REMOVED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL SERVICE PERSON.
CAUTION: CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN NOT TO TOUCH THE PIPE WORK CONNECTING THE
SOLAR STORAGE TANK AND THE SOLAR COLLECTORS. VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE HOT
WATER CAN BE GENERATED BY THE SOLAR COLLECTORS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
AND WILL FLOW THROUGH THE PIPE WORK FROM THE SOLAR COLLECTORS TO THE SOLAR
STORAGE TANK.
Water Heater Application
This water heater is designed for the purpose of heating potable water. Its use in an application other than this may shorten
its life.
Hot Hot Water!
Your Solahart water heater will generate hot water quickly and efficiently. Under normal family use, it will operate between
60ºC and 70ºC. However, the temperature can exceed this and under certain circumstances may be as high as 95ºC (see
recommendation below). This can occur during prolonged periods of direct sunlight (particularly in summer) or during long
periods of reduced water usage. Extreme care should be taken in these circumstances.
CAUTION: CHECK THE WATER TEMPERATURE BEFORE USE, SUCH AS WHEN ENTERING A
SHOWER OR FILLING A BATH OR BASIN, TO ENSURE IT IS SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION
AND WILL NOT CAUSE SCALD INJURY.
We recommend, and it may also be required by regulations, that an approved temperature limiting device be fitted into the
hot water pipe work to the bathroom and ensuite when this water heater is installed. This will keep the water temperature
below 50 C at the bathroom and ensuite. The risk of scald injury will be reduced and still allow hotter water to the kitchen
and laundry.
Precautions
The water heater must be maintained in accordance with the Owner‟s Manual. Refer to “Maintenance” on page 8 and to
“Anode Inspection and Replacement” on page 8.
If this water heater is to be used where an uninterrupted hot water supply is necessary for your application or business you
should ensure that you have back up redundancy within the hot water system design. This should ensure the continuity of
hot water supply in the event that this water heater were to become inoperable for any reason. We recommend you seek
advice from your plumber or specifier about your needs and building back up redundancy into your hot water supply
system.
Victorian Customers
Notice to Victorian Customers from the Victorian Plumbing Industry Commission. This water heater must be installed by a
licensed person as required by the Victorian Building Act 1993. Only a licensed person will give you a Compliance
Certificate, showing that the work complies with all the relevant Standards. Only a licensed person will have insurance
protecting their workmanship for 6 years. Make sure you use a licensed person to install this water heater and ask for your
Compliance Certificate.
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33-1197 Solahart Owner‟s Manual – Thermosiphon Systems - Revision F –Jan. 12 3
Water Quality - Is It Suitable For The Solahart Water Heater?
Your Solahart water heater is suitable for use with water with a total dissolved solid content less than 1,000 ppm and for
which the total hardness does not exceed 200 ppm CaCO3. Water supplies having calcium hardness (CaCO3) and an
alkalinity in excess of 150 ppm should be treated by a softening process prior to use with this water heater to prevent
scaling and damage to the electric booster element.
A water analysis can be obtained from your water supply authority.
Period Of Reduced Usage Or Holidays
WARNING: IF THE WATER HEATER IS LEFT UNUSED FOR TWO WEEKS OR MORE,
FLAMMABLE HYDROGEN GAS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE WATER CYLINDER.
To dissipate this gas safely, it is recommended that a sink hot tap be turned on for several minutes. Do not use a
dishwasher, clothes washer or other appliance for this purpose. During this procedure there must be no smoking, open
flames or any electrical appliance operating nearby. If hydrogen is discharged through the tap it will make an unusual sound
like air escaping.
‘Hartgard’ Solution –Freeze Protection
Solahart Closed Circuit Systems are protected against freezing or harsh water conditions by our exclusive „Hartgard‟ fluid.
„Hartgard‟ is a blue, non-toxic, propylene glycol fluid which, when mixed with water, provides the Heat Transfer Fluid
contained in the solar panels and the heat exchanger jacket around the tank. „Hartgard‟ is used to lower the freezing
temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid and so provides protection against freezing (Note: for the correct % of Hartgard in
the Heat Transfer Fluid, refer to the section on Frost / Freeze Protection). „Hartgard‟ is a special food grade solution and is
the only solution permitted to be used in the closed circuit systems. Hartgard has been approved by the National Health and
Medical Research Council of Australia.
WARNING: SHOULD THE WATER FROM YOUR CLOSED CIRCUIT SERIES WATER HEATER
APPEAR BLUE, THEN THIS MAY INDICATE A LEAK OF „HARTGARD‟ FROM THE HEAT
EXCHANGE JACKET INTO THE POTABLE WATER.
Although ‘Hartgard‟ is of food-grade quality and not hazardous to health, the blue colour in the water does indicate a fault
and your Solahart dealer should be contacted to inspect the system.
Over-Temperature Protection System
The Closed Circuit Series solar water heaters have a means of controlling the maximum temperature of the water in the
storage tank. These systems may be installed with a „HartStat‟ valve located between the hot outlet of the collectors and the
inlet to the tank heat exchanger. This valve closes when the tank has reached a sufficiently high temperature, thereby
preventing further heat transfer to the tank, and thus limiting its temperature.
The Open Circuit Series systems may be installed with a „TRV‟ located between the cold inlet of the tank and the cold inlet
of the collectors. This valve restricts the flow through the collectors when the tank has reached a sufficiently high
temperature.
PR6 / PR200 Jacket Pressure Relief Valve
The Closed Circuit Series tank‟s heat exchange jacket has a pressure relief valve located in the vent pipe of the jacket. This
relief valve is to prevent over-pressurisation of the closed circuit either due to incorrect filling or abnormal operating
conditions. During the water heater's first summer season, fluid will discharge from the relief valve until the ideal closed
circuit fluid volume is established. Discharges from the valve after this time could indicate the water heater is not operating
efficiently. Under these circumstances contact your nearest Solahart dealer immediately. Do not attempt to service the water
heater yourself.
When operating in daylight, the heat exchange circuit will be pressurised and will contain a mixture of superheated water
and steam. Do not remove the PR6 / PR200 valve during operation as there may be a very high SCALDING risk present.
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