Solar temp shows much different than floating thermometer

[mrdorkdar]

Hey everyone, so I have a floating thermometer showing 82 degrees but my solar system isn’t turning on and I’ve got it set to heat around 95 degrees (which I know is a lot, but that’s a diff story). If I adjust the solar setting it will turn on so I know it’s not broken or something but are these systems sometimes off by that much?

 

[JamesW]

The solar controller should show water temperature and roof/solar temperature.

What are the readings?

 

[mrdorkdar]

Well it doesn’t show numbers per say, the heating light comes on when the air temp is higher than the water temp and right now it’s 102....so it definitely should be heating.

 

[JamesW]

I would suspect that the controller is not reading the solar temperature or the water temperature correctly.

What controller do you have?

Does it have a display that can tell you the readings?

 

[mrdorkdar]

It doesn’t show readings. It’s this: Amazon.com: Hayward GLC-2P-A Solar Pool Heating Control System with 3-Way Valve, Actuator and 2 PC Sensors: Garden & Outdoor

I did have a thought. The sensor that reads the water is in the sun. Maybe the sun is heating up the outer part of the sensor throwing off the system?

 

[JamesW]

You can test the resistance of the sensors and convert the reading into temperature using the chart in the manual.

See what that shows.

Disconnect the sensors before measuring the resistance.

Review the manual for proper installation and operation instructions and troubleshooting instructions.

AquaSolar GL-235 | Solar | In Ground Pool Solar - Hayward Pool Products

GL-235™ is America's best selling microprocessor based solar control designed for easy and dependable operation.

www.hayward-pool.com