Hello,
First, I want to thank everyone here for the amazing knowledge you've all shared. After countless hours reading, I converted my pool to salt and most importantly, keep it perfectly balanced and crystal clear so thank you!
That being said, I ended up getting 8 Fafco 4x10 panels on CL, that appear to be in great shape. We just bought a hot tub so I wasn't planning on getting panels but for $250, I couldn't say no. I've read a bunch of things here but I want to double check my setup before doing it. All pipe is 1.5 inch with a 1.5 HP pump and our roof is flat in the center. I've consulted a few people and plan to do a metal pipe "frame" around the panels, secured to pavers, 2 sides of the frame tapcon'ed into the side of the house, and then either some sort of nylon "rope" or SS rubber wrapped cabling, secured to the sides of the house. I don't want these things to fly off in south florida but I really don't want to penetrate a flat roof. Our neighbors have nothing securing their panels but that sounds bad. My big thing, is how to secure the panels to the pipe/cabling; ideas?
I love computers but suck drawing pics, does this setup look ok? It looks like the solar valve has a check valve built in but should I use that? Should I add another check? Sounds like I should add a vacuum breaker too, right before the panels on the roof, correct? I know draining is going to be an issue and while it doesn't freeze here (South Florida), still worried; should I be?
The squiggly lines in the bottom right, just mean that the area isn't going to work, due to vents. It think I can only get 7 panels up so while not 350 sq ft, it's close. I have the couplers so I think I just need the vacuum valve, solar valve, 2 end caps, and lots of PVC.
First, I want to thank everyone here for the amazing knowledge you've all shared. After countless hours reading, I converted my pool to salt and most importantly, keep it perfectly balanced and crystal clear so thank you!
That being said, I ended up getting 8 Fafco 4x10 panels on CL, that appear to be in great shape. We just bought a hot tub so I wasn't planning on getting panels but for $250, I couldn't say no. I've read a bunch of things here but I want to double check my setup before doing it. All pipe is 1.5 inch with a 1.5 HP pump and our roof is flat in the center. I've consulted a few people and plan to do a metal pipe "frame" around the panels, secured to pavers, 2 sides of the frame tapcon'ed into the side of the house, and then either some sort of nylon "rope" or SS rubber wrapped cabling, secured to the sides of the house. I don't want these things to fly off in south florida but I really don't want to penetrate a flat roof. Our neighbors have nothing securing their panels but that sounds bad. My big thing, is how to secure the panels to the pipe/cabling; ideas?
I love computers but suck drawing pics, does this setup look ok? It looks like the solar valve has a check valve built in but should I use that? Should I add another check? Sounds like I should add a vacuum breaker too, right before the panels on the roof, correct? I know draining is going to be an issue and while it doesn't freeze here (South Florida), still worried; should I be?
The squiggly lines in the bottom right, just mean that the area isn't going to work, due to vents. It think I can only get 7 panels up so while not 350 sq ft, it's close. I have the couplers so I think I just need the vacuum valve, solar valve, 2 end caps, and lots of PVC.
