Solar panel install
Aqua Leader Elegance AGP 15'x30'x 54", 12k gallons, vinyl liner ... Hayward/SwimPro Voyager pump SW159412STL, 2hp, 2spd, Hayward/Voyager 175sf element filter SW175MDDVPAKS, Installed August 2016 ... Liquid Chlorine, Stenner, Woods 50015 timer
In the begining of the year, my wife found a good deal on some solar panels on Amazon and bought them on a whim. They are Smartpool, Sunheater s220 2'x20' each for above ground pools. She got 2 of them. The actual panel model number is SCPNL220 and looks to be a standard panel from Smartpool that they package for different applications.
Sunheater SCPNL220 performance data
This particular setup for the s220 is a down & back with inlet & outlet connections on the same end.
There is a plug in the middle of the header to force the water into the proper direction. It is where the "Label" is on the right header. Unfortunatly I didn't want this setup as it is less efficient and in theory would only allow half flow through the panel.
I looked over the panel and it looked like I could pop out the plug (which is actually more like an orfice). I stuck a broom handle down the header and was able to pop out the plug fairly easily. It actually looks like those plug covers you can get, but with a hole in it.
Since I was able to knock the plug out, I redesigned the system to have both panels run in full parallel.
I actuallty laid out the panels like this
I wanted to layout the panels to get an idea how they would look. Hanging vertical, hanging at an angle. Then the same but doubled up. I originally wanted to go double wide and single length, but decided to go with the single width and double long. It made the rack too wide especially when I angled them. With the double wide, it came about 2 feet from the ground and would have been a hazard and possible damage with the kids and dogs. The single wide had it's own chalenges, but liked that solution better.
I started building the rack for the panels. I made it out of 1x6 pressure treated wood. It's not decking boards, but lumber I was able to get at Menards. I have them hanging from hinges on each fence post. The rack itself is about 30" x 40'. The rack is quite heavy, heavier than I was expecting.
I hung the panels on the rack and secured them. I didn't like that the screwhead would rub up against the panels so I had to modify the bracket slightly. The panels hand from the bracket on a slot in the panel. Then this webbing holds the pabel against the rack. I was considering changing how it was attached but I haven't yet. We'll see hown well this holds up.
Piping from the panels to the right side hinge point was next. This would give me a location to shoot for when I got to the pump pad.
On to the pad & piping. Here is the pump pad before I started.
I laid out the fittings to make sure I had the parts I needed. I effectivly replaced everything from downstream of the chlorinator to the union just left of the block valve
Oh, that first cut. I was a bit nervous taking a perfectly good setup and taking it out of commission. Here is how it ended up. I'm not 100% happy about the amount of piping hanging off the left side of the filter and return to the ground. But this is how the plumbing worked out and looks like a good arrangement. I did use compression couplers near the hinge point so that it will allow for twisting when I raise the panels at an angle.
Some notes:
I need to make a support to hold up the left side. I haven't decided if I'm going to hang it from the fence or support it from below.
I do need to go back and put a valve in the return line so I can isolate the solar totally instead of just being able to control the flow.
I still need to fabricate the brackets to hold the panels at an angle.
I didn't put a check valve in the system. We'll see how it goes without it.
I also didn't put a vacuum release valve in the system. The pool water level is actually above the bottom of the panels. The highest point in the solar lines are less than 2 feet above pool level. I feel confident that there is minimal risk in damaging the panels with this small negative pressure when shut down the system. I may end up putting it in since I did have an issue with air not purging properly on the left panel. Or maybe I'll install a Schrader valve in the cap to let me purge the air.
While I was doing the work, I did find some algae for the first time in about a year. I didn't feel a SLAM was necessary, just rinse & pray. lol...
Aqua Leader Elegance AGP 15'x30'x 54", 12k gallons, vinyl liner ... Hayward/SwimPro Voyager pump SW159412STL, 2hp, 2spd, Hayward/Voyager 175sf element filter SW175MDDVPAKS, Installed August 2016 ... Liquid Chlorine, Stenner, Woods 50015 timer
In the begining of the year, my wife found a good deal on some solar panels on Amazon and bought them on a whim. They are Smartpool, Sunheater s220 2'x20' each for above ground pools. She got 2 of them. The actual panel model number is SCPNL220 and looks to be a standard panel from Smartpool that they package for different applications.
Sunheater SCPNL220 performance data
This particular setup for the s220 is a down & back with inlet & outlet connections on the same end.
![vnTc5cX.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/vnTc5cX.jpg)
There is a plug in the middle of the header to force the water into the proper direction. It is where the "Label" is on the right header. Unfortunatly I didn't want this setup as it is less efficient and in theory would only allow half flow through the panel.
I looked over the panel and it looked like I could pop out the plug (which is actually more like an orfice). I stuck a broom handle down the header and was able to pop out the plug fairly easily. It actually looks like those plug covers you can get, but with a hole in it.
![OWR0IQCm.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/OWR0IQCm.jpg)
![nRWgxcxm.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/nRWgxcxm.jpg)
Since I was able to knock the plug out, I redesigned the system to have both panels run in full parallel.
![RWy0q6zl.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/RWy0q6zl.jpg)
I actuallty laid out the panels like this
![gw04j9P.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/gw04j9P.jpg)
I wanted to layout the panels to get an idea how they would look. Hanging vertical, hanging at an angle. Then the same but doubled up. I originally wanted to go double wide and single length, but decided to go with the single width and double long. It made the rack too wide especially when I angled them. With the double wide, it came about 2 feet from the ground and would have been a hazard and possible damage with the kids and dogs. The single wide had it's own chalenges, but liked that solution better.
![IWIn2d4.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/IWIn2d4.jpg)
![4L86G5O.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/4L86G5O.jpg)
![wFJiWL9.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/wFJiWL9.jpg)
![ghqa70f.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/ghqa70f.jpg)
I started building the rack for the panels. I made it out of 1x6 pressure treated wood. It's not decking boards, but lumber I was able to get at Menards. I have them hanging from hinges on each fence post. The rack itself is about 30" x 40'. The rack is quite heavy, heavier than I was expecting.
![zQMQECM.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/zQMQECM.jpg)
![sBoJfFs.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/sBoJfFs.jpg)
![UQbbaEj.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/UQbbaEj.jpg)
I hung the panels on the rack and secured them. I didn't like that the screwhead would rub up against the panels so I had to modify the bracket slightly. The panels hand from the bracket on a slot in the panel. Then this webbing holds the pabel against the rack. I was considering changing how it was attached but I haven't yet. We'll see hown well this holds up.
![QeEC1BY.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/QeEC1BY.jpg)
![MsvZPZq.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/MsvZPZq.jpg)
Piping from the panels to the right side hinge point was next. This would give me a location to shoot for when I got to the pump pad.
![sguTj5f.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/sguTj5f.jpg)
On to the pad & piping. Here is the pump pad before I started.
![bPbAtMW.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/bPbAtMW.jpg)
![3Hi5Sj0.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/3Hi5Sj0.jpg)
I laid out the fittings to make sure I had the parts I needed. I effectivly replaced everything from downstream of the chlorinator to the union just left of the block valve
![CFRxh5V.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/CFRxh5V.jpg)
Oh, that first cut. I was a bit nervous taking a perfectly good setup and taking it out of commission. Here is how it ended up. I'm not 100% happy about the amount of piping hanging off the left side of the filter and return to the ground. But this is how the plumbing worked out and looks like a good arrangement. I did use compression couplers near the hinge point so that it will allow for twisting when I raise the panels at an angle.
![sv9KTrl.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/sv9KTrl.jpg)
![ksGWVrP.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/ksGWVrP.jpg)
Some notes:
I need to make a support to hold up the left side. I haven't decided if I'm going to hang it from the fence or support it from below.
I do need to go back and put a valve in the return line so I can isolate the solar totally instead of just being able to control the flow.
I still need to fabricate the brackets to hold the panels at an angle.
I didn't put a check valve in the system. We'll see how it goes without it.
I also didn't put a vacuum release valve in the system. The pool water level is actually above the bottom of the panels. The highest point in the solar lines are less than 2 feet above pool level. I feel confident that there is minimal risk in damaging the panels with this small negative pressure when shut down the system. I may end up putting it in since I did have an issue with air not purging properly on the left panel. Or maybe I'll install a Schrader valve in the cap to let me purge the air.
While I was doing the work, I did find some algae for the first time in about a year. I didn't feel a SLAM was necessary, just rinse & pray. lol...
![5ZYaEuGm.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/5ZYaEuGm.jpg)