Replumbing and adding solar pool heater HELP

[Jaymike84]

I am going to 2 inch and wanting to Replumbing it because when installed they used ball valves which after 3 years are already getting difficult to turn. I have heard some put 2 way valves from the intake to the solar pool heater and going back to the pool but not sure I need because of check valves on return line and I was looking into 3 way drain down valves but have heard so many issues with them leaking etc and was wondering if I left the one cracked just a little it would be ok to allow drain down at night when pump isn’t on or drilling a small hole to allow drainage which I have read a couple people have done just don’t want water going back up when I close the solar pool heater down for the winter. Am I missing any valves or do I need to change anything before proceeding? Any help or suggestions etc are very welcome. Appreciate all the help

 

[ajw22]

Solar Pool Heaters - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

A Solar Diverter Valve is different then a standard 3-way diverter valve. A Solar Diverter Valve has a drain hole that allows the solar panels to drain down from the supply side of the panels, which can be important (depending on how your system is configured) when the valve is closed. The "hole" is actually a small check valve in the diverter




Only Compool, now Pentair makes proper Solar Diverter Valves.

• 263047 - 3-Way Solar Valve with Drain-Down, CPVC 2 in. (2½ in. slip outside)
• 263057 - 3-Way Solar Valve with Drain-Down, CPVC 2½ in. (3 in. slip outside)

These valves are included in the Pentair Solar Touch and Sun Touch control systems.

Installers will use other model standard 3-way diverter valves and drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the diverter.

 

[Jaymike84]

Solar Pool Heaters - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

A Solar Diverter Valve is different then a standard 3-way diverter valve. A Solar Diverter Valve has a drain hole that allows the solar panels to drain down from the supply side of the panels, which can be important (depending on how your system is configured) when the valve is closed. The "hole" is actually a small check valve in the diverter




Only Compool, now Pentair makes proper Solar Diverter Valves.

• 263047 - 3-Way Solar Valve with Drain-Down, CPVC 2 in. (2½ in. slip outside)
• 263057 - 3-Way Solar Valve with Drain-Down, CPVC 2½ in. (3 in. slip outside)

These valves are included in the Pentair Solar Touch and Sun Touch control systems.

Installers will use other model standard 3-way diverter valves and drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the diverter.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I saw those was just seeing if they were worth the 135 dollars or not. Reason for asking is the reviews I’m seeing is those leak quite a bit and they don’t function properly as a lot of negative reviews on them so seeing if the drilling of the hole was sufficient or not. Also does the rest of the plumbing look ok? I have a 3 way valve from fibropool and wondering if the above insert might fit mine or is it just composed and Pentair?