Refilling Solar Thermal

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Hi All,

I am struggling to find a plumber that will do this job for me as a lot of them dont have the gear for it.

At this stage I'm thinking of doing it myself.

What I need:

https://www.instality.com/en/flushing-pumps/47-pump-filling-purging-flushing.html

Container
Pump
Hose
Connections

From what I've seen them do in the past is cycle the glycol through the system until there are no bubbles present. Shut off the out valve and pump more in to get the pressure up and you're done.

I don't want to make it sound too easy as I know you have to keep an eye on things when you start it back up, pressure, flow etc.

Just wondering has anyone done this as a DIY and could recommend where to get the parts?

From googling I came across this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hand-Pump-Filling-Solar-Units/dp/B00BP76F9M Doubt it's up to scratch.

This is way too pricey but I really dont need the wheels etc.

https://www.greentherm.ie/product/sunex-solar-filling-station/

I've also come across this:

https://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19673.0

https://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31549.0

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Just to update those that are interested.

So I used a drill pump to recharge the system, it's better than what it was but it was awkward and messy, one of the hoses in the glycol, slipped a bit and put air back into the system. (Drill smoking by the end)

Turns out you can rent the solar recharging stations (30 per day) so I've one booked in for tomorrow. Going to flush the system out, wash out with water and refill with new glycol / water mix. (30% according to what I've read)

Need to figure out how to suck all the glycol out with the recharging station but should be ok with the right gear.

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Just saw this now, got solar thermal tubes 2 years ago.

How often are you changing the glycol? I see different trains of thoughts on it.

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Ruben Creamy Lip wrote: »

Just saw this now, got solar thermal tubes 2 years ago.

How often are you changing the glycol? I see different trains of thoughts on it.

Ah from my reading it's years. As in 8 to 10.

Keep an eye on pressure and flow and make sure they're ok.

Anyone have any idea what the capacity of these systems are?

roy rodgers

Ruben Creamy Lip wrote: »

Just saw this now, got solar thermal tubes 2 years ago.

How often are you changing the glycol? I see different trains of thoughts on it.

Manufacturers will ask that the glyco is tested every year however it really depends on the system. If a system is over sized the glyco probably needs to be changed every few years as the glyco can turn into a tar like substance from extreme temperatures.

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roy rodgers wrote: »

Manufacturers will ask that the glyco is tested every year however it really depends on the system. If a system is over sized the glyco probably needs to be changed every few years as the glyco can turn into a tar like substance from extreme temperatures.

I've actually ordered a ph tester on amazon to check acidity.

The recharging station I rented worked a treat.

I did three houses over the weekend.

Only issue is in one house where the pump is gone.

roy rodgers

GaryCocs wrote: »

I've actually ordered a ph tester on amazon to check acidity.

The recharging station I rented worked a treat.

I did three houses over the weekend.

Only issue is in one house where the pump is gone.

Get yourself a refactometer to check the glyco concentration. They are cheap enough and you will have it forever.

BobbyBingo

GaryCocs wrote: »

I've actually ordered a ph tester on amazon to check acidity.

The recharging station I rented worked a treat.

I did three houses over the weekend.

Only issue is in one house where the pump is gone.

Exactly what I'm looking for. Where did you hire the recharging station pls ?

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BobbyBingo wrote: »

Exactly what I'm looking for. Where did you hire the recharging station pls ?

PM Sent

paul-2008

BobbyBingo wrote: »

Exactly what I'm looking for. Where did you hire the recharging station pls ?

Hi, can you tell me where you rented this also? thanks

BobbyBingo

For those of you that have replaced and refilled your glycol, how do you drain down the system of all the old glycol, before pumping all the new glycol mix in ? All the how-to guides etc, explain filling the system by pumping the mix from the tank through until there is no air bubbles - but, before you do this, how should you extract all the old glycol out, without recirculating it back through the system ? Sorry if it's a newbie question, but it has me stumped... Ideally I'd like to empty/drain down the system entirely - see what volume was in it, before filling my tank with the new stuff....

Any advise gratefully accepted..

B

BobbyBingo

BobbyBingo wrote: »

For those of you that have replaced and refilled your glycol, how do you drain down the system of all the old glycol, before pumping all the new glycol mix in ? All the how-to guides etc, explain filling the system by pumping the mix from the tank through until there is no air bubbles - but, before you do this, how should you extract all the old glycol out, without recirculating it back through the system ? Sorry if it's a newbie question, but it has me stumped... Ideally I'd like to empty/drain down the system entirely - see what volume was in it, before filling my tank with the new stuff....

Any advise gratefully accepted..

B

Solved it.... Just open and let it drain out..