Re-pressurise solar system?

sundodger5

my solar system has been steadily losing pressure, it is now at the point that i have no circulation.
Is it possible to re-pressurise and bleed the system on a DIY basis. If so how would you proceed?
If the DIY route is not an option how much would a good plumber charge to do this work?
Thanks.

esox28

hey,

if system is loosing pressure there is a problem, the two main causes are a pipe / fitting leak and the pressure vessel failing. you would probably have noticed the leak by now though, staining on ceiling etc all though some 2 panel systems could have as little as 8ltrs of solar fluid in the system so an egg cup full of leakage would register a drop in pressure on the gauge so check very carefully

normally your solar 'dependent on make/model' would be set at 3bar so your pressure vessel should also be set to 3bar, one thing you can check is if pressure is below 3bar put a car tyre pressure gauge on the 'white' solar p. vessel and check for a drop in pressure, if it doesn't register any pressure just change it less hassle in the future.

you cant refill a solar system on a diy basis as a specialist solar pumping unit is needed to refill the system with glycol and remove all the air.

a solar installer will do all this for you, in any case if your system is more than 4 years old the glycol 'antifreeze' needs to be replaced. if you system is less than 1 year or so old get the installer to this if he's any good he shouldn't charge for labour. shouldn't cost too much any road.

hope this helps

heinbloed

First: get a proper installer/heating engineer in.

Is it possible to re-pressurise and bleed the system on a DIY basis. If so how would you proceed?

Yes, the proceedings depend on the system.

If there is an automatic air valve at the highest point installed there will be no need for 'bleeding'.

Over-pressurising a system, like for example a pressure of 3 bar at the highest point, will agen your system very fast. Stick to the minimum pressure. This is better for the pocket.

sundodger5

i definitely have not got an automatic air valve installed. i can hear air in the circuit and i assume this would eliminate that problem.