Installing Solar Thermal Piping

Installing Solar Thermal Piping

How Do I Balance The Flow of My Collectors?

How Do I Balance The Flow of My Collectors?  I have 2 arrays of 6. Use balancing valves, 1 on the cold side for each array. This will allow you to adjust the flow in each array and optimize your collectors output. SunMaxx Carries these for a variety of applications from small residential (2-7 Gallons Per Minute) all the way up to Large applications (12-50 Gallons Per Minute). Available SunMaxx Balancing Valves:
XMaxx-HW-BV-2-7-34F : 2-7GPM
XMaxx-HW-BV-3-10-1F : 3-10 GPM
XMaxx-HW-BV-5-19-54F : 5-19 GPM
XMaxx-HW-BV-8-32-64F : 8-32 GPM
Xmaxx-HW-BV-12-50-2F : 12-50 GPM

My sensor cable is only 4 feet long. How do I wire it from the controller all the way to the collectors?

My sensor cable is only 4 feet long. How do I wire it from the controller all the way to the collectors? First off, when wiring to the collectors, make sure you use the high temp sensor (usually black or red). One end of the sensor cable has the sensor, which needs to be at the hot end of the collector array, and the other end has crimped wires that fit easily and securely into controller slots. So, the best thing to do is cut the sensor cable in half, and use each half where it is meant to be used. How do you bridge the gap? Well, SunMaxx pre-insulated line set (corrugated stainless steel pipe) has a 2-strand wire cable embedded inside it just for that purpose. Use the wire in the return line from the collectors to connect the two halves of your sensor. Wire connections should be soldered and shrink wrapped. The SunMaxx “Sensor to Wire Connections” installation guide shows the step-by-step process.

Do I have to run the piping through the roof?

No, you do not have to. You can, and should, use flexible stainless steel piping which allows you to direct the piping anywhere you want with very little trouble. Many installers will choose to send the piping the ;ong way around just to avoid a roof penetration. While this works well for ensuring that there is no leakage, it does however waste a bit of solar energy. But if you can avoid going through your roof, then do it! Click here to view our flexible stainless steel piping