What to expect: As wonderful and abundant as solar energy is, performance results are conditional. Depending on climatic conditions, temperature results may vary from year to year. But, assuming you have several days of sunny weather, you can expect your solar pool heating system to: Heat the water 2 to 5 degrees F. every time it passes through the system and raise your pool's temperature 5 to 15 degrees over a period of several days of good weather. Basically, your system is designed to heat your pool to around 80 degrees or more from mid March to mid November. This is assuming that you use the solar blanket in the early spring and late fall.

What the Various components do...

• SOLAR COLLECTORS are the heart of your system. They are the heat exchangers that collect the sun's heat and transfer it to the fast-flowing water that is pumped through them from bottom to top for optimum efficiency.
• ISOLATION VALVES the two ball valves that are used, isolate the solar system from the filtration system from the solar collectors.
• DIVERTER VALVE AND AUTO CONTROL diverts the flow of water from the filter to the spa or pool  through the solar collectors to heat your pool.
• HEATER is only needed for supplemental heat boost or to heat the spa.
• PUMP & FILTER are compatible with your solar pool heating system and will operate normally whether the solar system is on or off.
• CHECK VALVES when the pump shuts off the solar collectors will drain back into the pool. The check valve next to the filter prevents the water in the panels from flowing back through the filter and back flushing into the pool. The second check valve is on the return side of the solar system and prevents water from going up to the solar panels backwards.
• VACUUM RELIEF VALVE is installed in a location to allow air into the solar system so the water in the solar collectors and pipes will drain back into the pool.
• CONTROL BOX is located on the wall next to your timer. Set the thermostat to your desired temperature (85 degrees). When operating put in the Auto position, when not using move the switch to off. The manual/test position is the "on" position.

PREPARING FOR FREEZING CONDITIONS

All parts of the solar system need to be purged of water to prevent freezing. If your system does not drain back into the pool, you should have a special faucet to allow the area affected to be drained.

1. Turn off the solar valve (auto control to off)
2. Turn off the pump.
3. If your pool pump has not been off for at least an hour allow 1 hour for drain back into the pool.
4. Open the manual drains.
5. Close the isolation valves.
6. Check the solar actuator (diverter valve) in the off position and isolation valves closed and run the pump for a few minutes to check for proper flow. (Pressure on the filter should be low)

WHEN FREEZING CONDITIONS ARE OVER

1. Turn the solar valve (auto control) to off.
2. Turn off the pump.
3. Open isolation valves.
4. Check the drain valves closed.
5. Turn the solar valve (auto control) on.
6. Turn the pump on.
7. Turn the solar valve to auto.
8. Set the thermostat to the desired temperature

BEFORE CALLING FOR SERVICE

If the system does not appear to be heating the pool:

1. Check the position of the thermostat (85?)
2. Are the filter and leaf trap clean?
3. Did you just refill the pool with cold water?
4. Has the weather been marginal?
5. Are you using a pool cover? The pool can loose 10-15 degrees on a cold windy night.
6. The filter pressure should increase 5 to 10 when the solar is on to assure proper flow through the solar panels.

BUBBLES

When the solar valve turns on and diverts the water through the solar collectors, all the air is pushed out of the panels into the water. In 3 to 5 minutes the bubbles should end. If Champagne bubbles continue check the cleanliness of the pump, filter and leaf traps. Check the pump for proper operation. In some systems some small bubbles may always be discharged into the pool due to the particular operating characteristics of the individual system. They do not affect the operation of the system nor impair the proper function of the pool equipment.