Post by cye on Jun 9, 2018 3:41:01 GMT -5
Here's some pics of the pipework inside the roof space of this installation which has been somewhat of a nightmare for the householders. Colin & I are hoping to troubleshoot the problems.
Ever since this was commissioned by the original installer, there have been ongoing problems with air locks in this system requiring frequent 'service' visits. The original installer has now gone bust (I wonder why). A second 'professional solar installer' then tried to remedy the problem over several visits, in the course of which they swapped a pump station. When the system airlocked yet again after a few days they promised to return to resolve the problem but were never to be seen again.
The householders are both registered blind and are naturally frustrated that this expensive system and their effort to do the right thing for the environment has turned out to be nothing but trouble. All the professional service visits cost them money and they are now left somewhat disillusioned. The intention now is to see if we can get at least one panel working again as a quick fix over the summer, and in the longer term get the system running smoothly enough so that it only requires occasional bleeding by a volunteer solar enthusiast without the need for any specialist equipment such as a 'flushing/filling pump'.
Considering the number of connections in the loft (a large number of potential leakage points), the way the solar DN16 pipe has been 'slung' without any consideration to where air might accumulate, the fact that DN16 corrugated pipe itself has been used (& is pretty bad in that it tends to hold air in the corrugations) and the terrible plumbing outside on the roof (at the panels), one can perhaps understand why this installation has been plagued by problems.
Ever since this was commissioned by the original installer, there have been ongoing problems with air locks in this system requiring frequent 'service' visits. The original installer has now gone bust (I wonder why). A second 'professional solar installer' then tried to remedy the problem over several visits, in the course of which they swapped a pump station. When the system airlocked yet again after a few days they promised to return to resolve the problem but were never to be seen again.
The householders are both registered blind and are naturally frustrated that this expensive system and their effort to do the right thing for the environment has turned out to be nothing but trouble. All the professional service visits cost them money and they are now left somewhat disillusioned. The intention now is to see if we can get at least one panel working again as a quick fix over the summer, and in the longer term get the system running smoothly enough so that it only requires occasional bleeding by a volunteer solar enthusiast without the need for any specialist equipment such as a 'flushing/filling pump'.
Considering the number of connections in the loft (a large number of potential leakage points), the way the solar DN16 pipe has been 'slung' without any consideration to where air might accumulate, the fact that DN16 corrugated pipe itself has been used (& is pretty bad in that it tends to hold air in the corrugations) and the terrible plumbing outside on the roof (at the panels), one can perhaps understand why this installation has been plagued by problems.
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