Solar Thermal Systems FAQs

Solar Thermal Systems FAQs

How Do I Determine Sun Angles Throughout the Year For My Location?

How Do I Determine Sun Angles Throughout the Year For My Location?

The University of Oregon provides a free online tool that does just this. Plug in your location and this tool will provide a PDF with precise sun data. With this information you can determine the appropriate distances to place your arrays so as not to shade them during certain parts of year or day increasing the efficiency of your system. Check it out at http://solardat.uoregon.edu/SunChartProgram.html.

Sample Sun Path Diagram

 

Do I Need To Mix The Glycol I Purchased From SunMaxx With Water?

Do I Need To Mix The Glycol I Purchased From SunMaxx With Water? No. You can commission your system with glycol strait out of the container. Our XMaxx Glycol Solution is not only premixed with distilled water but also made with bio-based raw materials and uses 20% less energy to produce than standard propylene glycol!

How Do I Mount Solar Collectors To A Metal Roof?

How Do I Mount Solar Collectors to a Metal Roof? SunMaxx makes it easy! No need for roof penetrations. We have clamps that mount directly on the seam of a metal roof, making installation quick and painless!

How can I connect an air compressor to my pump station to pressure test my solar thermal system for leaks?

How can I connect an air compressor to my pump station to pressure test my solar thermal system for leaks? Our pump station’s fill valve has GHT hose threads on the outside. You can easily make an adaptor using the following three fittings, which can be purchased at your local hardware store or plumbing supply.
  • Schrader valve x ¼” male NPT
  • Reducing Bushing, ½” NPT Male x ¼” NPT Female
  • Hose fitting, ½” NPT male x ¾” swivel GHT female
Use Teflon tape on the NPT threads of the Schrader valve and bushing in constructing the adaptor. When attaching the adaptor to the pump station, be sure to use two tools: one to hold the fill valve in place, and one to tighten the adaptor. That way, you won’t create leaks in the pump station itself while testing.

How should I test my solar thermal system for leaks?

How should I test my solar thermal system for leaks? After a solar thermal system has been installed, it should be tested for leaks before it is charged with heat transfer fluid. Leak testing should be done with air pressure. Air pressure can detect even small leaks that would be difficult to detect with liquid, because the liquid would evaporate as it leaked. Even tiny leaks are critical, because loss of fluid over time would change the system operating conditions and decrease performance. For more information, watch our webinar on air pressure testing.

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.

How Can I Match Up Collector Connections On A Roof With The Rafters?

How Can I Match Up Collector Connections On A Roof With The Rafters? There are no guarantees with rafters when it comes to distance apart or consistency. The easiest way to deal with this problem is using the ConnectMaxx rail system. Our roof mounts can be secured where the rafters are, and then our rails can be secured to the roof mounts. All of our collectors can then be secured anywhere along the rails using sliding blocks. When using SunMaxx rails, you can worry less about where the rafters are and more about where you want your collectors!