No water flow from solar heater when its turned on

[snickelfritz]

Hello all I have a question about my solar pool heater. It is a DIY from solar direct. We installed it last year and it did not disappoint. When we opened the pool this year it was obviously very dirty so I did not run the solar until it was clean. Upon first start up it seemed to run as normal but after a few weeks I noticed there were bubbles still coming out of the returns then yesterday afternoon there was no water at all coming out of either one of the returns. I can hear water running up to the panels and coming back to the chlorinater but nothing coming out of the returns. Today I decided I would try to shut off the returns to the stairs and there was some movement coming from the deep end returns and vise versa.

When Im not running the solar water comes out of the returns great. Pump pressure is about 5 to 10 psi and about 20 with the solar running. I have backwashed numerous times thinking that would help but came up with same result. I too the VRV off and capped it and still same issue. You can hear the water running through the panels also.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[PoolGate]

Can you post a pic of the entire pad going to the solar heater? Include all valves.

 

[snickelfritz]

PoolGate this is how everything is ran per the instructions with the kit from Solar Direct. I am just not sure what changed it worked perfectly fine all last season and few a week or 2 this season to not working at all. Everything was hooked back up just like it was last season.

 

[PoolGate]

It looks to me like that valve is 180 degrees incorrect. It is in the position of closing the left side so the water comes up the right side which is also where it should drain. I think water should go left, up and through the solar and exit on the right.

 

[PoolGate]

 

[snickelfritz]

Yes correct I have it off because there was no flow. When I turn that valve to the right water moves up to the panels

 

[PoolGate]

Yes correct I have it off because there was no flow. When I turn that valve to the right water moves up to the panels

Isn't that what you want? So if you're trying that and it has low flow I'm suspecting your solar grid isn't priming. Can you direct all of the water to the solar to get it primed?

 

[snickelfritz]

Yes water is getting up to the panels when Ibturn the valve to on position. To the right. When I do this you can hear the water going up and coming back down but nothing coming out of the returns.

 

[PoolGate]

I also suspect that valve helps tune the system. Try turning it untill flow increases. Divert some water to the right.

 

[snickelfritz]

Is it possible that for some reason the water is going up faster than going down causing it?

 

[PoolGate]

Is it possible that for some reason the water is going up faster than going down causing it?

Once the solar grid is full of water the down suction should help pull water up. Perhaps it's not priming all the way full.

 

[snickelfritz]

I also noticed just now it doesnt blow any air out of the returns when its first turned on

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I too the VRV off and capped it and still same issue.

I also noticed just now it doesnt blow any air out of the returns when its first turned on

Without a VRV, air can't get into the system. You risk collapsing your panels from vacuum.

 

[PoolGate]

I also noticed just now it doesnt blow any air out of the returns when its first turned on

How long are you waiting for it to prime? With the valve in the position in your picture you should have full return pressure since it's 100% bypassing the solar. As you turn that valve more water will divert you solar.

 

[snickelfritz]

I can leave it and walk away and nothing happens.

 

[snickelfritz]

Could this thing possibly not be draining when turned off or would that not matter

 

[snickelfritz]

Without a VRV, air can't get into the system. You risk collapsing your panels from vacuum.

Its back on only did that to see if it was faulty

 

[PoolGate]

Are you sure water isn't leaking out somewhere on the roof? Perhaps it didn't survive the winter.

 

[PoolGate]

Is this how yours works?

solar pool heater plumbing diagram - Google Search

 

[Ahultin]

Try removing the spring check valves and replace with jandy flap valves