Why does booster pump need to be installed before solar heating panels?

[Option]

Hello,

I recently had a solar heating system installed and just read a few places on this forum that any cleaner booster pump should be installed before the solar system. Unfortunately, it seems the solar installers did not set the plumbing up that way. Instead, the solar return splits between the pool return and booster intake. Can anyone tell me why this is a problem and if it is significant enough to warrant the solar company to come out and redo the plumbing? Thank you!

 

[jblizzle]

I can't think of a reason that the booster pump for the cleaner would need to be before the solar. In fact, I would think being after would allow higher flow rates in the solar giving better heating.

 

[pooldv]

I agree, I'd leave it alone.

 

[Option]

I agree, I'd leave it alone.

Thanks for the replies!

I found the older posts again and after reading through them, I think the issue is that the booster pump can suck water (and eventually air) out of the solar system (but maybe only when the solar valve is off?). I've read that small amounts of air running through the booster will damage it over time (cavitation) and a lot of air can cause the booster pump to lose it's prime.

I am thinking this would be avoided as long as I always run the filter pump at a relatively high speed whenever I run the booster pump to keep the piping between the two pumps sufficiently pressurized (preventing the booster from sucking air/water out for the solar panels). Does that make sense to anyone else or can anyone tell me if I'm not understanding the issue correctly?

 

[pooldv]

I suppose that is possible since the panels drain down when the solar valve closes. My booster pump is plumbed very last right before the plumbing goes into the ground. I didn't have any trouble with the booster pump running when I used to use it, I have a robot now. It seems like the one way flow valves ought to stop the suction also. There are,pics of my plumbing in my build thread, link in sig.