Installing Your Simple Drainback Solar Hot Water System Your Simple Drainback System comes with a highly competent installation manual. Please consult that installation manual BEFORE your first installation. An installation video is provided on the website. Its a good idea to watch that video before planning and executing your effort. This presentation is intended for first-time installers, people with some knowledge of trades. It is NOT intended to be the definitive answer to installation, nor is it intended to define the preferred installation methods. The goal of this installation presentation is to demonstrate that the Simple Drainback System can be easily installed by competent workman. We hope you enjoy your system for decades to come!

How long will installation take? Can I install my first system in one day? A two panel installation with reasonable access from collectors to tank, well planned out (not more than 3 trips to nearby hardware store), can be installed by two competent workman in one day. Absolutely. This installation was NOT completed in one day. It took two tireless workers, two long days to complete. It required more than three trips to the hardware store. The job wasnt smooth, but it was fun and gratifying. Plan on two days for your first installation. Youll finish ahead of schedule. Before After

Planning your work. The installation diagram in your manual is a great place to start planning your work. This would also be part of the submittal to the building department for the building permit.

239 Pound Box! In this package is everything needed, except: 1) Plumbing and wire from system to collectors; and 2) Pump (separate box, but included)

Hidden Treasures in Packaging! Here in the trash pile is an important P/T valve, and buried below is the black T1 thermister (located in the bottom styrofoam packing). Be aware, and unpack with care!

Collectors to Roof Moving 110# collectors to the roof is awkward. Try sliding them up a ladder, one man below and one above. Store collectors against a roof jack. Roofs get soft in heat, do roof work early in day.

Mount Collectors Early In Day Think about where…and how…and path. And…always always absolutely… drain back. Notice the tilt angle of these collectors. Drainback systems MUST drain where freeze is possible.

Half a bubble off plumb… Snap a (non-level) line along the bottom of collectors. Set bottom mounts, then set collectors, then set top mounts. Drain! Polyurethane is best.

Slip together, then solder. This is a view from the top, looking down. Begin by setting bottom brackets. Next, place collector, copper pieces prepped for solder (shiny and fluxed). Then set upper brackets. With brackets set, slide collectors together with prepped unions on. Solder both sides of 1 union after set.

Roof Mount Connections Please see anchor instructions in manual. This would be part of the submittal for a building permit.

Soldering Secrets Revealed Copper must be absolutely clean, fluxed! This handy cleaner will give shiny new copper results. Inside-Outside. All copper shiny, deburred and fluxed.

Capillary Action Draws Solder Dont cook the fittings. Heat them just right. The flame is applied to the end of the joint, away from where solder enters the joint. Let capillary action draw the solder in and around joint.

Flux will start to vaporize. Flux all sides of all joints, no voids in flux! Flux will start to vaporize when temperature is ready for solder. Have wet rag ready, use to catch solder and wipe joints. 50/50 solder is fine for non-potable water. Notice vapor?

Solder changes shine as it cools. How much solder? Same as pipe diameter. The solder will change from wet to dull as it cools. If you wish, you can wipe the joint clean after visual surface change using wet towel or rag.

Pretty, and pretty solid. Proper preparation, proper procedures. Heres a nice, clean finished joint. That wet rag is used only after solder in joint has solidified. Be careful of solder drips!

Mounted, ready for penetration. First fit, then solder. A roof rafter forced this line to be a bit long. 2 hole and pipe are lined up before boot located. The boot is applied last, so there is no tension in boots 1 rubber fitting. 1 to ¾ reducer, should be 1 pipe to first 90 to avoid even small trap. 2 hole

1 Penetration Roof Jack 2 boot can be used, but 1 is best. 1) No tension on rubber, its centered. 2) Boot cut into roof correctly, then caulked, nailed.

Replace vented cap at collector top. This is top of a collector, with a capped plug. The vented caps stops condensation. Replace top caps to prevent moisture intrusion.

Insulate all exposed pipe. Think 30 years…use the best materials. Not shown was the final coat of paint, to protect insulation from ultra-violet ray degradation. Some even paint roof jacks to match roof color.

T1 thermister at upper outlet. Solar fluid inlet at bottom (left or right); Fluid outlet at upper opposite. T1 at outlet. The upper T1 temperature sensor attaches to hot water out at top of collector. Note 1 to ¾ reducer at manifold. Again, notice the small trap…extending 1 pipe is better.

Drain Loop at Penetration T1 wire outside, not touching hot copper. Note: The insulation was added only after the system was checked, and no leaks were confirmed. This loop stops water from following wire into penetration.

Proper Insulation Material Closed cell Armacell insulation, or equivalent should be used. Open cell can melt or seriously degrade when exposed to high temperatures or atmosphere.

Attic Time is Ugly Time. Roof penetrations into the attic provide a target. Lets avoid this area until later. Next, we set the tank, and run plumbing from the tank up into the attic. Think about path.

Tank Planning Time The tank should be set to best align components. The controller can be moved around tank, or mounted on nearby wall. Some jurisdictions require tanks to be strapped to a wall (earthquake). DCW = Domestic Cold Water

Raise tank off floor. This storage tank is 15 years old. It was set directly on the floor, and condensation is causing rust to appear. This was preventable. Raise tank off floor with bricks, rigid insulation, or some other solid material.