broken solar heater

[rachel🌊]

hello! we recently bought a house with a pool that has a solar heater. please see pictures attached.

we attempted to run the system through the solar heater, which successfully worked for a few minutes, we confirmed water was flowing through the solar return jet, but as you can see attached, the water was bulging at this part of the solar. believe it or not, this was too much pressure and the end cap here blasted off.

what is the best way to go about fixing this?

 

[sktn77a]

What was the filter pressure with the solar system running?

 

[rachel🌊]

What was the filter pressure with the solar system running?

we don't remember im willing to try again though if getting that information would be helpful!!

 

[mas985]

Also, post the pump model# and/or motor label information.

A picture of the plumbing near the solar valve would also be useful.

With single speed pumps, it is not uncommon to over drive the panels unless you have a solar bypass installed.

If the filter pressure rises by more than about 4 PSI when solar is turned, the bypass is probably not set correct or there is no bypass.

 

[rachel🌊]

Also, post the pump model# and/or motor label information.

A picture of the plumbing near the solar valve would also be useful.

With single speed pumps, it is not uncommon to over drive the panels unless you have a solar bypass installed.

If the filter pressure rises by more than about 4 PSI when solar is turned, the bypass is probably not set correct or there is no bypass.

let me know if these photos help, everything is very old. it's not captured in the pictures, but the plumbing has a lot going on because there are two pumps, one for the pool, and one for the koi pond, but of course each is a completely separate system.

i havent heard of a solar bypass before, im assuming there is no bypass. how complicated would that be to set up on my own?

 

[1poolman1]

hello! we recently bought a house with a pool that has a solar heater. please see pictures attached.

we attempted to run the system through the solar heater, which successfully worked for a few minutes, we confirmed water was flowing through the solar return jet, but as you can see attached, the water was bulging at this part of the solar. believe it or not, this was too much pressure and the end cap here blasted off.

what is the best way to go about fixing this?

Panels look like Fafco. That is the plug that is always at one end opposite the supply pipe.
If that tiny pipe (3/4"?) is the return from the solar, it is amazing that plug doesn't blow off more frequently.
If the solar valve is set to run all the flow through the panels, that will continue to happen.
You will either have to replumb with at least 1.5" pipe (2" is better if it matches the rest of the system) or adjust the flow down to an amount the system can handle.