Specifications

INSTALLATION – SOLAR STORAGE TANK
25
RAIN WATER TANK
If the solar collector and solar pipe work are to be installed on a section of roof which is part of a rain water
runoff collection system, then it is recommended this section of roof and its gutter be isolated from the rain
water collection system. The gutter should be isolated to a width greater than the solar collector and pipe
work and must have suitable drainage. The installer should ensure in the event of a leak from the solar
collector or pipe work, a rainwater tank cannot be contaminated with closed circuit fluid.
The section of roof and gutter should be isolated from the rainwater collection system before the
commissioning of the solar water heater, so that any leak or spillage during commissioning does not make its
way into the rainwater tank.
This section of roof and guttering can be isolated by either:
blocking this section of gutter from the remaining gutter and fitting two separate down pipes, one to take
any run-off water from that section of roof away to drain and the other to the rainwater collection side of
the gutter to take the rain water runoff to the rain water tank.
blocking this section of gutter from the remaining gutter and fitting a tube or pipe of a material
compatible with the gutter material in this section of the gutter and penetrating the separation pieces at
either end to allow rainwater runoff to pass from one part of the rainwater collection system to the other.
It may be necessary to fit a down pipe to the section of blocked gutter to take any run-off water from that
section of roof away to drain.
installing a false gutter inside of the existing gutter, with a down pipe penetrating the existing gutter to
take any run-off water from that section of roof away to drain. The false gutter should be no deeper than
half of the depth of the existing gutter, so as to enable rain water runoff to flow under the false gutter.
installing a flashing from the underside of the roofing material, with a continuous fall, to over the outside
lip of the gutter. The flashing should extend wider than the collector and pipe work and turned up at the
ends so if there is leakage of closed circuit fluid, it cannot enter the gutter.
If any of these solutions are not practical, then the installer should discuss alternative options to suit the
installation with the house holder.
Any alterations to the roof drainage system must comply with the relevant building regulations, codes and
Standards.
FREEZE PROTECTION
The water heater has a freeze protection system. The water heater is not suitable for installation in areas
where the ambient temperature falls below -20°C (including wind chill factor).
The solar circuit must be installed with a continuous fall of a minimum 5° (1 in 10 grade) in the pipe work
from the solar collector to the solar storage tank, with the full length of the solar hot and solar cold pipes
insulated and the system charged with correctly mixed closed circuit fluid to offer protection against freeze
damage. The system has NO WARRANTY for freeze damage if there is not a continuous fall in the solar hot
and solar cold pipes or they are not insulated in accordance with the installation instructions or the closed
circuit fluid has been incorrectly mixed (refer to “Terms of the Vulcan Warranty” on page 63 and to “Warning:
Plumber Be Aware” on page 35).
The solar collector and solar cold and solar hot pipes only contain closed circuit fluid when the pump is
operating during periods of solar gain when heating is required. When the solar pump stops operating, the
closed circuit fluid drains back into the storage tank heat exchanger. The closed circuit fluid is an anti-freeze
agent which, when mixed to the correct specification, can withstand temperatures of -20°C before it may
freeze.
The frost protection system to the in-series gas booster will protect the gas booster from damage, by
preventing ice forming in the waterways of the gas booster, in the event of freezing conditions occurring. The
frost protection system will be rendered inoperable if electrical power is not available at the in-series gas
booster. Damage to the in-series gas booster caused by freezing of the pipe work to or from the gas booster
is not covered under the Vulcan warranty. Refer to AS/NZS 3500.4 for precautions to be taken for
installations in frost prone areas.