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Solar Panel Fluid Leak

  • 17-09-2014 1:44pm
    #1
    BattyJoe
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 41 ✭


    Hi,

    I bought a house last month, and it turns out that there is no fluid in the solar panels.

    I called a plumber , who told me this, and that it must have leaked out somewhere!!

    3 solar panels in total, on the roof of the shed.

    plumber said the fluid would cost about €300 - €400 to replace.

    Can I replace this myself, or where would I get the fluid from . Also, how would I find the leak?

    Or would I be best clinch my teeth , get plumber to do all, and assume the cost is about right?
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    quentingargan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    The most common cause of fluid leaking is a failure of the expansion vessel. Often they are not pre-charged to the pressure of the system, so there is no expansion. When the cylinder is hot, the pump cuts out, and the system boils.

    The boiling of fluid should be accommodated by the expansion vessel. If it isn't it comes out the pressure relief valve.

    It may be a leak, but that is less likely to my mind. If the plumber isn't familiar with this, I would tread carefully.

    Most systems don't have a heat dump, but should have.... This would have prevented the problem as well. What type of system is it? Tubes, Flat?


  • #3
    BattyJoe
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 41 ✭BattyJoe


    quentingargan wrote: »
    The most common cause of fluid leaking is a failure of the expansion vessel. Often they are not pre-charged to the pressure of the system, so there is no expansion. When the cylinder is hot, the pump cuts out, and the system boils.

    The boiling of fluid should be accommodated by the expansion vessel. If it isn't it comes out the pressure relief valve.

    It may be a leak, but that is less likely to my mind. If the plumber isn't familiar with this, I would tread carefully.

    Most systems don't have a heat dump, but should have.... This would have prevented the problem as well. What type of system is it? Tubes, Flat?

    Flat System .


  • #4
    quentingargan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    BattyJoe wrote: »
    Flat System .
    Flatplate systems can have the incidence of stagnation or boiling reduced significantly with some controllers. You shut the system down when the cylinder reaches 60C and then run the pump for a few minutes any time the modules get to about 110C. That keeps the glycol below the point at which it degrades. You still have to shut it all down when the cylinder gets to about 85. And you need a thermostatic mixing valve on the cylinder. Might not be possible with the controller you have.


  • #5
    shane 007
    Closed Accounts Posts: 914 ✭✭✭shane 007


    If there is a suspicion of a leak on the system, I would air test it first.

    Solar system with no fluid may have "pitted" the copper collector fins & collector piping. If so, they are damaged beyond repair. Solar systems should never be left for prolonged periods with a) no glycol & b) with continuous stagnation.

    If all is well & you are re-commissioning the system, it's not a matter of filling & away you go. It will require purging of approx 1 hour minimum with a solar pump station to remove air & microscopic air. Expansion vessel pressures set, correct flow rates & system pressure calculated & set.

    This is not a DIY job & certainly for a "competent" solar installer.
    Factory mixed glycol is approx €100 per 20 litres. Flat plate may take 1 - 2 drums. Concentrate mixes are cheaper but not recommended due to you mixing household water with them, thus introducing your own water contaminants to the system & possibly incorrect mixture ratio. Factory mixed solutions are mixed to 60:40 ratio & only distilled water used.


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