Water stuck in solar panels

[mas985]

I meant the other side.

 

[Dirk]

That's an odd location for that spigot. Is that to winterize the panels? I have two of those, but they're by my pad, at the lowest point I could find, so that I can drain not only the panels but most of the supply and return pipes as possible.

If your spigot needs to be at that end for some reason (like, because your panels don't drain like they should due to the slanting issue Mark discovered), I might have chosen the other pipe, so that at least some of the water drains out of that one, too, and the elbow. So you could do that if there isn't a better spot at the other end like Mark suggested. Put a tee on the lower pipe and move the spigot there. Then put the VRV where the spigot was. But if ya gotta cut and glue, I think under the eve is the better location, because of the UV...

Edit: sorry, I just realized, I think Mark was suggesting to use a Fafco VRV in the other end of the manifold, not convert to some other threaded style coming out of the supply pipe. Anyway, you've got lots of options...

My MO was to keep as much off the roof as I could , for both UV and maintenance reasons.

 

[Dirk]

PS. I turned my system on at 8 this morning. It's up to 71 so far. No leaks so far either. [But better not jinx it.] It's already too hot for gardening, but maybe tomorrow I'll have a good combo for a dip: gardening not too hot and pool not too cold.

 

[dailo]

I meant the other side.

I’ll have to check that when I get on the roof. I don’t see anywhere on the other side where I could easily add in the VRV, without cutting the supply pipe which I was hoping to avoid (at least on the roof)

 

[mas985]

What I am suggesting is to use an end cap VRV like you have right now and put it in the end cap of the header. There should be a plug in the header right now. All you have to do is swap the VRV with the plug and put the plug where the VRV is now located.

 

[dailo]

What I am suggesting is to use an end cap VRV like you have right now and put it in the end cap of the header. There should be a plug in the header right now. All you have to do is swap the VRV with the plug and put the plug where the VRV is now located.

Thanks! Once I got up the roof it was more obvious what you meant, so I went and and switched the end cap and VRV around. The clamp around the VRV was loose, so that was the leak I was seeing as water was dripping from the seal. Now that I have the VRV over on the supply side and lower on the roof, I can hear it sucking in air after the pump turns off. As loud as it is, I am surprised I didn't really hear it when it was on top of the panels. Is it normal for a little water to leak from the VRV? While running, a drop of water comes out from one of the holes every few minute or so. There is a label with a date of 11/09/2020 on the valve so I assume it was replaced not that long ago. Now that the VRV is on the supply side, I was able to reduce the pump to 60% without any air getting in and puts me at 50GPM which is right at the manufacturer recommendation. I'll still have to test to see how much water stays in the panels now before I go drilling a hole in the diverter. If its just the water in the pipe going up I can manually open it before I shut off the solar when it gets cold again.

 

[mas985]

The VRV really should not leak any amount of water except maybe when the system first pressurizes and the valve is first forced closed. Some of the water might leak temporarily. It might be possible that is what you are seeing. Run it for a while and see if the leak stops at some point or continues

I am not sure about the VRV type that you have but I have an end cap VRV like this one:



I can take it apart and clean the valve which usually fixes any leaks that might be occurring. Sometime debris gets caught in the valve allowing it to leak.

 

[dailo]

The VRV really should not leak any amount of water except maybe when the system first pressurizes and the valve is first forced closed. Some of the water might leak temporarily. It might be possible that is what you are seeing. Run it for a while and see if the leak stops at some point or continues

I am not sure about the VRV type that you have but I have an end cap VRV like this one:

View attachment 400314

I can take it apart and clean the valve which usually fixes any leaks that might be occurring. Sometime debris gets caught in the valve allowing it to leak.

Oh thanks for the picture, that looks like it would probably fit in my system as well. This is what I currently have and can't take it apart at all. I tried rinsing it out but didn't seem to help. Looks like with this new configuration I am draining most of the water from the collectors, but I do have to open up the solar valve manually after the pump turns off. Once I open it up , I can hear the VRV start sucking in more air and I can hear more water coming down. Now when I open the spigot very little water comes out, so guess now I just need to drill a small hole in the diverter and replace the VRV and I should be all set. Thanks again for all the help @mas985 and @Dirk

 

[Dirk]

Awesome! Glad you figured it out!

I got 'er up to 77° today, but I got too busy and forgot to get in!!l That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!! Next week is not looking good, so we gotta wait for the next warm spell...