CL Heliocol DIY install(solar)

[Riddleeagle18]

Got the bottom clamps on today.

My original plan for piping was

Besides esthetics Does anyone see a reason why I can't just take the hot return directly over the roof ridge rather than running it down near the cold supply?

PS: my son need to clean his toys up but look at that water! TFP

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[jblizzle]

Plan looks good. No issue going over the ridge wherever you like

 

[Riddleeagle18]

Man, I have discovered I am terrible at plumbing.

Here is a start though. Once I started, I decided it would be easier just to cross the pipes here rather than at the roof line.

It's a start


Oh by the way. Don't test your plumbing with the 3 way installed this way. It doesn't fully seal the "closed" port. Ask me how I know [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

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[Isaac-1]

Don't worry you will get better with practice

 

[Riddleeagle18]

Ok I'm doing something wrong. Added some more vertical pipe and tried the 3 way valve again. No matter how I turn the valve the water comes out the left vertical pipe heavily.

I even turned it to cover the vertical pipe and then I unscrewed everything. The blocker is there but when the water was running it was very obvious that it wasn't blocking anything at all.

Thoughts?


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[Riddleeagle18]

Crisis averted. The inner swing blocker wasn't seating properly. Not sure why, but once I hollowed it out a bit with a file it sat in place and diverts the water properly now.


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[jblizzle]

Glad you figured it out.

 

[Riddleeagle18]

Finished up the plumbing today. I was moving hot water to the pool before I found 2 small leaks on 2 joints after about 10 mins of run time.

Anyways to repair them without cutting them out? System is going to sit for about 4 days without any time to work on it.

Hooking up the controller next week.

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[jblizzle]

Congratulations on getting it installed!

No good way to fix leaks on the pressure side besides cutting them out, unfortunately.

 

[Riddleeagle18]

Oopps

Make sure to check your 120/240

This is what happens when you hook up 240 to the 120 by accident.

Oh well. Amazon is running a killer deal on the Hayward aq-sol-Lv-TC right now if anyone needs one.

Usually $350 on sale for $130 right now. So at least I don't feel like a complete idiot.


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[chiefwej]

Do a bit of testing. You may be able to just change a transformer or if you are real lucky just a fuse.

 

[Isaac-1]

At that price I am tempted to order one just to have it as a spare.

 

[Riddleeagle18]

Finally finished it today. Just have to reprogram the pump for higher speeds now to prime the panels.

I ended up just running a new 20amp/120 for the solar controller. Before I was trying to tie it into the salt generator that's on the timer. Then I realized I don't really care if the solar controller is on all the time. Doesn't really matter.

So that was an adventure and I learned a lot! Even with all the screw ups I don't think I am in it for more than $1000. Still far cheaper than having someone else do it I guess.



Current pool temp is 82(yes it's still summer in Florida!) at 1:45.

Collector is reading 117.

Temp of water after solar is currently 87.(measures from my salt generator)

I'll give a few more updates on the temp in a few days.


Thanks for all the help!


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[chiefwej]

So that was an adventure and I learned a lot! Even with all the screw ups I don't think I am in it for more than $1000. Still far cheaper than having someone else do it I guess.

Professionally installed your system would have cost you somewhere in the area of $5,000. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.