Solar pool heating

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Nuke1

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I have a 20Kl pool and had 4 solar panels that has worked very well for a year. The water coming into the pool is always warm, even on cloudy days.
I recently decided to add another 2 panels expecting it to be even better but to my surprise the water coming into the pool is now much cooler. I am totally baffled as to how this is possible. The pool guy thinks Im talking nonsense but it is genuine.
Sun is shining today and almost no heating taking place.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? I am very disappointed and might get the new panels taken off again.
 
Must say years ago I had 3 solar panels on the roof, the company said more panels will be a waste. They told me to get a pool blanket. I made one from pvc pipe and black plastic. I worked well , pool got very hot. My family also build a pool, got solar, but build a wall 1 meter around the pool. except at the braai, there pool water were always hotter than mine , due to no wind over the water.
 
upup said:
pic and drawing, is the water flowing thru it.
Can you feel a difference in inlet and outlet pipe.
Click to expand...
Pool guy checked it out and water is flowing correctly so it is working but just not as well as with 4 panels. Maybe its just the change in weather as its a bit cooler but Im convinced it is less efficient.
 
Nuke1 said:
I have a 20Kl pool and had 4 solar panels that has worked very well for a year. The water coming into the pool is always warm, even on cloudy days.
I recently decided to add another 2 panels expecting it to be even better but to my surprise the water coming into the pool is now much cooler. I am totally baffled as to how this is possible. The pool guy thinks Im talking nonsense but it is genuine.
Sun is shining today and almost no heating taking place.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? I am very disappointed and might get the new panels taken off again.
Click to expand...
Can your pump handle 6 panels? If you are not circulating all the water then it won't work well.

My 30kl pool had 6 panels and got to 36°C in summer but if the wind was blowing it would cool down noticeably.
 
upup said:
Must say years ago I had 3 solar panels on the roof, the company said more panels will be a waste. They told me to get a pool blanket. I made one from pvc pipe and black plastic. I worked well , pool got very hot. My family also build a pool, got solar, but build a wall 1 meter around the pool. except at the braai, there pool water were always hotter than mine , due to no wind over the water.
Click to expand...

Please do tell more?
 
Side question on this - there is what looks like an air-vent valve on my Solar Heating system (on the pipe leading up the wall) - water has started dripping out of it continuously now - anyone experienced this?
 
TheJman said:
Side question on this - there is what looks like an air-vent valve on my Solar Heating system (on the pipe leading up the wall) - water has started dripping out of it continuously now - anyone experienced this?
Click to expand...

pressure relief valve? If it is I think those have a bee wax seal in them which wears over time and needs to have the valve replaced. You can also maybe try manually operating the valve if able in case it is just debris in it.
 
TheJman said:
Side question on this - there is what looks like an air-vent valve on my Solar Heating system (on the pipe leading up the wall) - water has started dripping out of it continuously now - anyone experienced this?
Click to expand...
I literally posted the same question in home improvements but never got an answer.
 
Steamy Tom said:
pressure relief valve? If it is I think those have a bee wax seal in them which wears over time and needs to have the valve replaced. You can also maybe try manually operating the valve if able in case it is just debris in it.
Click to expand...
So meaning cut it and then connect the replacement?
 
Steamy Tom said:
I haven't seen one like that personally, but that looks like a threaded coupling, can you turn it out? (the black peice)
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not. Seems to be leaking even more when I checked today. Gonna get the pool guys in - will be faster before I ruin the whole thing
 
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