Solar Heater, Brand, Cost and Hookup

[eblade21]

BigDave

I'm sorry, yes the bypass valve was set there but that was just to take pictures.

Otherwise it set between 1 & 2 which allows half feed to solar heater and full feed to tee, is this correct, after thinking about it and speaking to you it doesn't seem right.

Here is a link to the manual.

http://www.poolmaster.com/wp-content..._10-4-2012.pdf

Please advise if I should change my connections?

[BigDave]

You have the connections the same but in the book the bypass line would provide alot more resistance to the flow than the short piece of smooth pipe in your setup. That said, I doubt your pump is more than 1/3 HP and if it's not, you can safely run the entire flow through the solar by turning the bypass valve to position 3 blocking the bypass pipe.

[eblade21]

Big Dave

Thank you, my pump is a 1/2 HP intex sand filter pump. Now that you mentioned it it does make sense to shut the bypass and run thru the heater back into the pool. I was scared of the pump size to blow the solar heater or cause more problems.

What can i do to rectify this, should i connect this in a different manner or keep this the same?

[BigDave]

If the pump is 1/2 HP (surprising , but OK) then, by the book, you shouldn't put all the flow (pressure) through the solar dome. Without a pressure gauge (or limit), I suppose you should play with all the available bypass valve settings except "all solar" to find the greatest heat input to the pool throughout the day. I know, hard to do.

[eblade21]

Big Dave

According to my manual and the website I purchased the unit from here are the specs of my pump

Intex sand filter pump model # 28645EG

Pump Motor - .5 HP
Pump Flow Rate - 2100 gph (7.9 m3/hr)
System Flow Rate - 1600 gph (6.0 m3/hr)

Please understand I never doubt your knowledge I understand exactly what your stating maybe I am wrong, which won't be a surprise. I will review my findings via google, but please remember I trust your knowledge I only be doing this a couple of month where you been doing this for years along with everyone here.

For the record I wouldn't have been so successful in my pool without your knowledge and everyone else's.

Please let me know if I should pipe this differently?

[BigDave]

I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were wrong. I believe you. I'm just surprised that it's rated that high. I'm also surprized it's rated in horsepower and not just GPH. Compare it to a 1/2HP Hayward Superpump which is rated for 48GPM(2880GPH) into 20' head or the 1/2HP Hayward PowerFlowII which is rated for 45GPM(2640GPH) into 20' of head. It would be interesting to learn just how much head pressure is figured into System Flow Rate.

Anyway. The solar dome you have may be rated for the Intex pump market or for the traditional market. I don't know. So, to maintain compliance with the instructions, always leave the bypass link open.

[CarlD]

Just my 2¢:

Remember that the temperature of the water in the heater isn't what's going to heat your pool, it's the throughput of water warmer than the pool that does it. The more water you can get through your heater, the faster your pool will warm up, even if the heater water is only 1 degree warmer. BTUs/KCalories are what you need, not temperature. The limiting factor of how much water you push through your solar system should be the maximum gpm system can stand without leaking or the pump's maximum GPM, whichever is lower.