plumbing and heating

nadiahealy

hi, i was looking at job for a mate and his problem was his hot water was starting to turn a rusty brown colour,its a pressurised system with an insert coil for solar panels,its a 300l solar focus tank.the gauge on solar panels was reading 4bar which was same pressure on mains to cylinder which lead me to believe the coil was knackered so i took out the coil and it had holes in it allowing the solar water and domestic water to mix,there was also alot of rusty sludge at bottom of tank.i dont want him to get another coil for the same thing to happen again as they are quite expensive.it is not a hard water area and there is another few years left on anode rod.tank is only 2years old,has any1 experienced this before or know why the water is reacting with coil and causing the rusty sludge any info would be appreciated.

jimjimt

The first thing you have to do if not done so already is the make safe your solar panels.

Are the solar panels disconnected from the cylinder ?

If so you will have to get a cover to put over your solars. If the sun comes out and your panels cannot get rid of the excess heat you will ruin your solar panels. Pending on brand of course but this does apply for most solar panels types. Check with the solar panel manufacture and get them properly covered.

nadiahealy

yes solar panels are disconnected from cylinder,but with the coil passing the domestic through it,it reached 4bar resulting in a leak on fittings on the roof,they are the flat type panels which are built into the roof so slates had to come off and flashin to get at fittings,i fixed leaks and have it under pressure test at the moment and covered panels

gifted

Are you "looking"at the job for your mate or are you "doing" the job for your mate?

jimjimt

The solar panel system should be able to take 4 bar. I do believe your solar safety valve would be for 6 bar.


Next to find out did the solar water/glycol rot the coil, did the water in the cylinder rot the coil or just bad luck with a manufacturing fault.


Was their sludge in the solar pipe work up at the panels with you fixed the leak ? This would be a very sticky sludge that would smell like "red lead" if you are familiar with it.

Are you on town supply or private well ?

It is unusual that a SS Cylinder coil give way but not the first.

nadiahealy

yes inside the flexi pipe going to panels looked to be a rusty colour,before i connect it back to cylinder i will get a compressor and try to get out as much water as possible before filling it with new glycol,yes on a town supply.