Is our air vent in the correct location

[Shelley N]

We have a new solar set up this year and it came with an air vent. I've read all the posts and have been told it should go at the bottom of the panels like we have it plumbed, but I was just wondering, since our panels are half above/half under the water line, does that change everything? When would it allow venting at the bottom?

 

[JasonLion]

If the panels are partly below the water line, the vacuum breaker valve won't do anything. The point of a vacuum breaker valve is to let air in so the water in the panels can drain out into the pool. But that only works if the panels are above the water line.

The way you have things setup, the vacuum breaker won't hurt anything, but it won't help either. You will need to manually drain the panels for the winter.

 

[coloeb]

Might want to make sure you provide a drain spot in the plumbing.

 

[Shelley N]

Jason - Just curious, will the panels drain down to the level of the pool water when the pump is off?

Coloeb - There are lots of rubber couplings with hose clamps here and there and the very lowest point has 2 check valves that will come in for the winter.

Thanks so much.

 

[Pool Clown]

If your panels were above the W/L completely, the drain down valve works best at the top most part of the panel(s). And if it starts to leak, it's because there is not enough flow to completely fill the panels.