Dead solar

Chowdahead

The picture tell it all
You do not use pex on the primary side of a solar system and the relief valve is installed backwards.
More Pictures and we could walk you through

Glen

Most unusual -

while resurrecting a thermomax panel system (3xH30)I noticed this little beauty. The hydronic panel mfgr is well known in this area - so I suspect the local handyperson. hmmmmmmm! (hint: the pex is the discharge)

Mad Dog_2

Unfortunately......

PVC, PEX The BIg Box stores &^ the like have made ANYONE who wants to be...an installer. Cute.....mad dog

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Jeff Lawrence_25

Just looked at the picture

Is the relief valve installed correctly? Looks backwards to me.

Glen

Bingo -

in over 30+ years - its a first! Much like the propane "expansion" tank.

Glen

Well -

this is in a very high end cabin on one of the ski hills. It is what it is (timber frame construction, eg, no access). I am not able to make any changes to the primary side - but yes - the relief will be corrected. Other bits: for a 90 tube array - the primary side is undersized, as this home is completely finished I have no idea how the panels are piped, glycol is minimal (tyfocor will be pumped in next visit), wirsbo hepex is used throughout the primary side (I'm curious to see how well that works), & the exp tank has failed and will be exchanged for one that can handle increased acceptance. I'll take a few pics next visit - the cellcam just does not do it justice.

Ron Huber

Old Thermomax

If the system is 10 to 15 years old,you might want to check out the tubes and see if they still are working. They did not have the built in limiter back then and tubes lost their vacuum.
Once they lose their vacuum, they are junk. We replaced one 120 system and a 30 tube system, and they both failed again within 2 years. They were the old Thermomax tubes.

Paul Pollets

The fix

never seen a relief valve put in backwards....the installer gets a Darwin award.

Pex is a No-no...I only use type L copper and insulate with R-5 covering. The primary side can develop over 240 degree temps..way beyond Pex ratings.

As solar becomes popular again...we'll see lots of these installs.

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Steve Ebels_3

I looked at that

I thought to myself...that relief valve is piped backwards..........nah, I must be looking at it wrong. Must be something else there that I'm not seeing........

Just when you think you've seen it all.