SFB assembly manual3.5 Installation of the evacuated tubes 18-19 4 Lightning protection 20 5...

1

SFB Series ~ Evacuated Tube Collector

Installation Manual

2 Lands End Way

OAKHAM

Rutland

LE15 6RB

England

2

Tel: 01572 725512 Fax: 01572 724390

Email: [email protected]

SFB series Installation Manual

All-glass Evacuated Tubular Solar Collector with Heat Pipe

Section

Contents

Page/s

1. Solar Collector - weights and dimensions 3

2. Transportation and storage 3

3. Installation 4

3.1 Packing Lists 4-11

3.2 Assembly of the frame and manifold assembly 12

3.2.1 Side rail assembly 12

3.2.2 Fixing the manifold 13

3.3 Fixing the bottom rail 14

3.4 Mounting the solar collector 15

3.4.1 Pitched roof installation 15-16

3.4.2 Flat roof installation 17

3.5 Installation of the evacuated tubes 18-19

4 Lightning protection 20

5 Interconnection of multiple collectors 21

6 Plumbing layout and variations 21-23

7 Dimensions of pipe connections 23

8 Heat transfer media 23

9 Precautions 24

10 Maximum working pressure 24

11 Collector pressure drop 24

12 Installation angle 24

13 Wind and snow loading 25

14 Maintenance requirements 25

14.1 Cleaning 25

14.2 Leaves 25

14.3 Broken tubes 25

3

1. Solar collector – Weights and Dimensions:

Item No.

Specification

Weight

Kg

size(mm)

Qty. of solar

tubes

Diameter of

solar tube

Length of

solar tube

a b c d e

SFB104715 10pcs Ø 47mm 1.5M 32 870 750 1660 1174 1000

SFB154715 15pcs Ø 47mm 1.5M 48 1220 1050 1660 1174 1000

SFB204715 20pcs Ø 47mm 1.5M 54 1570 1450 1660 1174 1000

SFB304715 30pcs Ø 47mm 1.5M 76 2270 2150 1660 1174 1000

SFB105818 10pcs Ø 58mm 1.8M 50 960 840 1960 1398 1200

SFB155818 15pcs Ø 58mm 1.8M 75 1360 1190 1960 1398 1200

SFB205818 20pcs Ø 58mm 1.8M 115 1760 1640 1960 1398 1200

SFB305818 30pcs Ø 58mm 1.8M 122 2560 2440 1960 1398 1200

2. Transportation and storage

The Navitron Solar Collector is packaged in boxes designed to minimize the risk of

damage during transit. Depending on the number of tubes, the collector may be packaged

in three or four boxes, one containing the header, frame and various small components,

and the others containing the evacuated glass tubes. The boxes should be regarded as

fragile and handled accordingly. During storage, handling, and transport, the boxes should

remain horizontal. Under no circumstances should the boxes be propped up against a wall

or stored vertically.

Avoid impacts, do not handle the boxes roughly and avoid dropping the boxes and

dropping objects onto or against the boxes.

4

3. Installation

3.1 Packing List

Please check that all listed parts for the relevant collector are included

before commencing installation

SFB104715

No. Items Qty.(pcs) Qty. of spare

part Total

1

SFVB

(All-glass Evacuated Tubular Solar Collector

with Heat Pipe,Ф47mm*1500mm)

10 - 10

2 Manifold Box 1 - 1

3 Thermal silicon grease（80g） 1 - 1

4 Decoration cover 10 1 11

5 Vertical Bar 2 - 2

6 Aluminum horizontal bar 1 - 1

7 Black nylon screw cup 10 1 11

8 Reflectors 9 - 9

9 White Nylon clips for reflectors 18 - 18

10 screw ,washer

and nut

M8×10（screw, nut, washer） 4 1 5

M6×10

(screw+ washer)

already affixed to manifold

4 1 5

M6×20 for horizontal bar

(screw+ nut + blackcap) 2 - 2

Table 3.1

5

SFB154715


part Total

1

SFVB



15 - 15







8 Reflectors 14 - 14


10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


4 1 5



Table 3.2

6

SFB204715


part Total

1

SFVB



20 - 20









10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


4 1 5



Table 3.3

7

SFB304715


part Total

1

SFVB



30 - 30









10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


6 1 7



Table 3.4

8

SFB105818


part Total

1

SFVB



10 - 10







8 Reflectors 9 - 9


10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


4 1 5



Table 3.5

9

SFB155818


part Total

1

SFVB



15 - 15









10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


4 1 5



Table 3.6

10

SFB205818


part Total

1

SFVB



20 - 20









10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


4 1 5



Table 3.7

11

SFB305818


part Total

1

SFVB



30 - 30









10 screw ,washer

and nut


M6×10

(screw+ washer)


6 1 7



Table 3.8

12

3.2 Assembly of Frames and Manifold

3.2.1 Side Rails:

Arrange the 2 side rails as shown below:

Fig 3.1

13

3.2.2 Fix the Manifold:

a) Put the manifold between the two turn-ups on all side rails.

Fig 3.2

b) Fix the manifold to the turn-ups on the side rails using screws provided. See the

following two pictures.

14

Fig 3.4

3.3 Fix the bottom rail:

a) In order to prevent the tube cups from sliding from the rail use the M6x20 screws,

nuts and cover with the black caps.

Fig 3.5

b) Fix the bottom rail on the vertical bar using the 2x M8 x10mm screws.

Fig 3.6

15

3.4 Mounting the solar collector on your pitched roof

3.4.1 Pitched roof

Mounting straps may be used to secure the collector to a pitched slate or tile roof. The

mounting straps are available as a separate item – ROOFKIT10/20 (for 10, 15 or 20 tube

collectors) or ROOFKIT30 (for 30 tube collectors). The mounting straps are made of

SUS304 grade stainless steel of 1mm thickness, which allows the straps to easily bear the

weight of the collector, but at the same time being thin enough to pass behind slates or

tiles without causing them to lift. (See figure 3.8).

.

Fig 3.7

Fig 3.8

Installation steps:

There are a number of alternative methods of fixing Navitron solar collectors to the

roof, depending on personal preference and roof structure. Please contact Navitron

for further information or installation training.

a) Select a suitable location on the roof for the collector. In the northern

hemisphere, the collector should ideally face due south, at an angle to the

ground equal to the latitude. For example, collectors located at a latitude of

50º would be mounted at an angle of 50º from the horizontal.

b) Using the solar collector frame as a template, locate the straps inside the

'U' channel of the side collectors, choose the roof fixing points for the

straps. Remove enough roof tiles to locate the straps and screw securely

to the roof timbers.

c) Bend mounting straps according to the height of tiles and the location of

oval fixing holes in the side rails of the collector frame. Replace the roof

tiles. Fix solar collector on mounting straps. (Fig 3.9~3.12).

16

Fig 3.9

Fig 3.10

Fig 3.11

17

Fig 3.12

(big picture for point M)

Fig 3.13

(big picture for point N)

3.4.2 Flat roof

Navitron Ltd supply standing frames for flat roofs and ground mounted systems. Each

type of panel requires its own standing frames which are set at an angle of 40 degs.

Depending on the location of the standing frame it may be necessary to insert the tubes

before fixing the frame into position.

18

3.5 Installation of tubes

a) Unscrew the black end cups from the mounting rings, and clip the rings into the

bottom rail spacing them out evenly. (See figure 3.14)

Fig 3.14

b) Apply the thermal paste provided liberally to the tip of the copper heat pipes

protruding from each evacuated tube. (See figure 3.15)

Fig 3.15

c) Lower the silver end of the evacuated tube into bottom ring from above sufficiently

far to clear the manifold, and then slide the tube upwards to locate the tip of the copper

heat pipe into the corresponding port of the manifold. If the heat pipe is difficult to locate,

check that it has not been slightly bent. If so, using thumb and forefinger straighten the tip

and try again. Repeat until all your solar tubes are in place. (See figure 3.15)

19

Fig 3.16

c) Screw the black end cup into the mounting ring and tighten until hand tight.

Repeat the process until all the tubes are in place.

d) (See figure 3.16).

Fig 3.17

e) See figure 3.17 for detail of the completed collector.

20

Fig 3.18

Warning:

If you assemble solar collectors under strong sunshine, or the ambient temperature is high,

DO NOT touch the two copper pipes at either end of the manifold because once tubes are

exposed under sunshine, they begin to work. The heat will be transferred to the top of

the heat pipes in seconds. Therefore the two ends of the copper pipes will be very hot

after you finished the assembly. Direct contact with the skin can cause burns! It is

recommended that the tubes are covered to prevent heating until all plumbing work is

completed.

Fig 3.19

Suggestions:

1. Avoid assembling the panel in direct sunlight. .

2. If the process has to be undertaken in direct sunlight, Navitron Ltd recommends the

tubes are covered during the assembly thus preventing thermal tracking within the

panel’s collector.

4. Lightning protection

Lighting strikes can induce high voltages into the panel’s frame which can cause

damage to sensitive electronic equipment such as the solar controller. Even

though a lightning strike close to the panel is unlikely, Navitron provide a KA12

Overvoltage protection unit which suppresses voltage surges. However, a

21

lightning conductor should be fitted to roof’s that are prone to lightning strikes. The

conductor should be fitted 1.5m above and 3m away from the solar collectors.

5. Connecting multiple collectors

Two or more collectors may be interconnected using straight 22mm compression

couplings. For multiple panel installations, the use of a flexible stainless steel

connector is recommended, as shown in the following picture.

Fig 5.1

6. Connection of the collector field to the heat transfer

circuit

The Solar collectors can be plumbed in many different ways which is dependant on

specific customer requirements. Please refer to figures 6.1 to 6.3 for some basic variants.

If you are unsure or need any further advice please contact the Navitron technical staff at

the address and telephone number listed on the cover page.

22

Fig 6.1

Fig 6.2

23

Fig 6.3

7. Pipe Sizing

• For solar collector arrays up to 5m² (gross collector area), pipe-work of 10mm is

recommended with total pipe length not exceeding 20m. Pipe-work of 15mm may

be used but total pipe length should not exceed 10m

• For solar collector arrays between 5m² and 10m² (gross collector area), pipe-work

of 15mm or 22mm may be used.

• Pipe length should be kept to a minimum.

• All pipe-work, with the exception of pipe-work connecting the expansion vessel to

the system, should be insulated with high temperature insulation (suitable for

temperatures up to 150ºC) with a minimum wall thickness of 13mm.

8. Heat Transfer Media

In areas where the ambient temperature may drop below freezing, a non-toxic

antifreeze must be used e.g. propylene glycol. For most countries a 60% dilution of

glycol should provide sufficient protection against freezing. Antifreeze is more viscous

than water, so do not exceed this concentration without first checking the compatibility

with the circulation pump used. Water used in the closed circuit of the solar water

heating system should be de-chlorinated unless the chlorine concentration is below

40ppm, in order to protect the metal parts of the system.

24

9. Precautions

1. Only temperature sensors (and other electrical accessories) supplied by the

controller manufacturer should be connected to the controller.

2. Assembly, installation and maintenance work may only be performed by properly

qualified and authorized personnel.

3. The pump station must be installed indoors.

4. Set the pre-charge pressure of the expansion tank as per guidelines provided by

the manufacturer. Do not insulate the connection pipe joining the expansion tank to

the rest of the solar water heating system, and maintain a minimum length of 50cm.

Beware of a risk of scalding from hot water/steam discharging from the pressure relief

valve of pump station during fault conditions. The overflow should be piped in copper

pipe observing suitable pipe diameters for the length of pipe involved. Discharge

should be directed into a metal container.

Do not attempt to fill the system if the collector temperature exceeds 70℃. If this is

the case, allow the collectors to cool down first.

10. Max. working pressure

Regardless of the installation configuration, pressure release valves, expansion

vessels and/or other pressure control devices must be installed. The solar loop

should be designed to operate at no more than 800kPa (PRV may be 850kPa).

(800kPa =8bar=116psi). For installations where mains pressure water is used, the

system should ideally be designed to operate at a pressure of <500kPa, achieved

by use of a pressure limiting/reduction value.

11. Pressure Drop

△p=0.2Kpa

12. Installation Angle

It is common for collectors to be installed at an angle that corresponds to the

latitude of the location. Installing at an angle less than 20º is not recommended as

the heat pipes perform best in the range of 20-70º while adhering to this guideline

an angle of latitude +/-10°is acceptable, and will not greatly reduce solar output.

Angles beyond this range may be used, but a decrease in heat output will result.

An angle lower than the latitude will enhance summer output, while a greater

25

angle will enhance winter output.

13. Wind and snow load

When installing the collector please consider the issue of wind resistance and the

resulting stress on the attachment points. The standard frame is designed to

withstand wind speeds of up to 120km/h and 30cm snow accumulation without

damage. For areas with the possibility for high winds, additional reinforcement of

attachment points may be required and can easily be supplied by your local

installers.

14. Maintenance Requirements

14.1 Cleaning

Regular rain should keep the evacuated tubes clean, but if particularly dirty they

may be washed with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water or glass cleaning solution.

If the tubes are not easily and safely accessible, a high pressure water sprayer is

also an effective alternative.

14.2 Leaves

During autumn leaves may accumulate between or beneath the tubes. Please

remove these leaves regularly to ensure optimal performance and to prevent a fire

hazard. (The solar collector will not cause the ignition of flammable materials).

14.3 Broken Tube

If a tube is broken it should be replaced as soon as possible to maintain maximum

collector performance. The system will still operate normally even with a tube

broken. Any broken glass should be cleared away to prevent injury.

26

15. Standing Frame – Flat Roof Kit (FRK)

15.1 Variants

The standing frame is designed to attach to the solar panel thus creating an A-frame

type arrangement. The kit consists of Legs, Feet, Back Cross supports and Side

supports. Each panel has its own type of standing frame; therefore, when ordering

please ensure you have identified the correct item.

15.2 Assembly

The standing frames are Flat-packed and require assembling and attaching to a

pre-assembled solar panel without tubes fitted.

Join together the 2 Back Cross supports using the nut, bolt and washer provided.

Note 4 supports for 30 tube panels.

27

Attach the legs using the nuts, bolts and washers provided. Note - 3 legs and 4 back

cross supports for 30 tube panels.

Fit the support 2 feet the standing legs and 2 feet to the bottom side supports of the

solar panel frame. Note 6 feet are supplied for 30 tube panels.

28

Using the nuts, bolts and washers provided, fit the leg assembly to the collector and

attach leg side supports to the panel frame. Note – 3 leg side supports for 30 tube

panels.

SFB assembly manual3.5 Installation of the evacuated tubes 18-19 4 Lightning protection 20 5...

Documents

Transcript of SFB assembly manual3.5 Installation of the evacuated tubes 18-19 4 Lightning protection 20 5...