EcoOnline Vertex Self-Prime Instruction Manual

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 1

EcoOnline - Vertex™Self-Prime

Pool & Spa Solar Heating System

Installation & User Manual –Revised 24/08/2019

Optex Solar Pty. Ltd.

ABN: 88 128 228 884

www.EcoOnline.com.au

email: info@EcoOnline.com.au

and unless otherwise specified is for your personal and non-commercial use only. No part of this publication

may be reproduced or distributed by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written

permission of Optex Solar Pty Ltd. Trademarks appearing in this manual are the sole property of Optex Solar

Pty Ltd or their respective owners. Nothing in this publication shall be construed as granting any express or

implied license to use any intellectual property of Optex Solar Pty Ltd otherwise than for personal and

non-commercial use only. Optex Solar Pty Ltd must not, to the full extent permitted by law, be held liable

for any claim, cost (including legal costs), damage, expense, loss (including fines, penalties, set-offs and

consequential loss) or liability arising from the use (or misuse) of any product described in this

publication, unless expressly provided otherwise in this publication. Information as well as any

products described in this publication are subject to change without notice.

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 2

Contents

1Key Terms

2Pre-Installation Suitability & Safety Checklist

3Warranties

4System Sizing Guarantee

5Collector and Solar Pump Sizing Guide

6Spa Chemistry Compatibility Guide

7Roof Type Compatibility Guide

8Wind and Climate Considerations

9Included System Components

10 Additional Required Components (Not Supplied)

10.1 Ground Mounting Support Frame

10.2 Roof Mounting

10.3 Additional Plumbing Components

11 Required Tools

12 Safety When Working at Heights

12.1 Ladder Safety

13 Choosing A Place to Install the Collector Array

14 Pump and Solar PV Panel Test

14.1 What if the Pump Won’t Start?

15 Collector Array Configuration

15.1 Array Configurations Not Recommend

16 Roof Attachment Options

16.1 Tile Roof Mounting Frame

17 Corrugated Metal Roof Aluminium Angle Mounting Options

17.1 Aluminium Angle Mounting Options

17.1 Thermal Expansion Gaps for Aluminium Channels

17.2 Metal Roof Screw Selection and Method

18 Collector Mounting Procedure

19 Collector Array Plumbing Connections

20 Roof Fixings

20.1 Application of the PVC Coated Stainless Steel Straps

20.2 Single or Multi-Row Metal Roof Fixings Wind Region A

20.3 Single or Multi-Row Metal Roof Fixings for Wind Regions B & C

20.4 Single or Multi-Row Tile Roof Fixings for Wind Region A & B

20.5 Perforated Band Under-Tile Anchor Point (For Region B or Two row arrays)

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 3

21 Wind Proofing

21.1 Ultimate Peak Wind Loadings per Panel

21.2 Frequency of Extra Fixings for Different Regions

21.3 Wind Region Definitions

21.4 Terrain Category Definitions

21.5 Roof Edge Exclusions Zones

22 For Suction Line “Over the Top” Systems

22.1 Installation of the By-Pass Ports and Line

23 “Over the Top” Return Line Configuration

24 Special Plumbing Situations

24.1 For Systems with Pump Assembly Mounted Well above the Water Level

24.2 For Systems with Standard Suction Ports and Pump Assembly below the Water Level

24.3 For Systems with below Water Level Collectors

25 Plumbing Variations

25.1 Dual Pump Setups

26 Solar PV Panel Mounting

26.1 Solar PV Panel Location

26.2 Extending the Electrical Wires

27 Installing the Over-Temperature Thermostat

27.1 Adjusting the Spa Temperature

28 Connecting the Inline Over-Temperature Thermostat and Extension Wire

29 Switching the System ON for the First Time

29.1 Check for Balanced Water Flow through All Collectors

29.2 Air Bubbles in the Return Port

30 Important Installation Check List

31 Further Operating Instructions

31.1 Legionaries Risk

32 Service and Maintenance Schedule

32.1 Collector Puncture Repair Procedure

33 Trouble Shooting

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 4

1Key Terms

This manual was written to follow guidelines and recommendations given in:

AS 3634 - 1989 Solar heating systems for swimming pools

AS 1170.2 - 2011 (Amend 2 Dec 2012) Structural design actions - Wind actions

‘HAZPAK’ produced by the work-cover authority

AS 3000 (2007) Sections 6.3, 6.4 & 6.5

AS 1926.1 & 1926.2 (2007) swimming pool safety - location of safety barrier

Please print this manual out and keep it for your reference. Please take the time to read the entire manual before

starting any work. Particular attention should be given to text contained in the following key terms.

Please note EcoOnline has a strong product safety policy; do not install products without reading safety guidelines in

the manual. Please report any product safety issues or near misses to info@EcoOnline.com.au no matter how trivial.

Refers to useful information for the optimal operation of the system

Indicates a SAFETY issue that is likely to cause injury or death if the user does not

follow the instructions.

Indicates a SAFETY issue that may cause injury or death if the user does not follow the

instructions.

Indicates a SAFETY issue that may cause injury or property damage if the user does

not follow the instructions

Refers to critically important information related to the correct functioning of the

system.

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 5

2Pre-Installation Suitability & Safety Checklist

The following outlines mandatory suitability and safety requirements for installing a Vertex Solar™ heating system.

Please read carefully, if any of the following requirements cannot be meet a Vertex system should NOT be purchased

or installed.

Building regulations vary from state to state and MUST override any instructions supplied in

the Vertex system manual. It is the responsibility of the purchaser/installer to check that

installations comply with any relevant state laws and regulations.

For ground level collector installations the installer MUST check child safety fence regulations

in the relevant state. Under no circumstances should collectors be installed so as to

compromise the effectiveness of a child pool or spa fence safety barrier by providing a

climbable object.

The safety over-thermostat MUST be installed for systems involving an oversized collector array

greater than 100% pool coverage area or for highly insulated spa pools due to the potential for

overheating in summer.

Potential flooding resulting from the failure of the Vertex systems plumbing connections or

extreme weather events must be considered by the purchaser/installer, such that flood water

from such a failure at any point of a Vertex system will drain safely.

Due to the potential of falling from heights, mounting the solar panels on a roof or

structure at heights should only be undertaken by a professional solar panel installer,

unless you are accustomed to and confident of performing the work safely.

Due to the remote possibility of a water drain down event caused by the Vertex system, this

system should not be installed on a pool or spa pool with a mains power electrical devise that

does not have a working over temperature protection device and/or will not fail safely in

the event of dry running.

At present this collector array system is not recommended for installations in cyclonic regions

C or D, or on houses situated on top of hills exposed to strong winds, or on second story (or

higher) roofs.

The Vertex system is for heating outdoor chlorinated or otherwise treated spas ONLY. This

system is not to be used to heat indoor spas (chlorinated or otherwise) OR fresh bodies of

water due to the potential for Legionaries bacteria build up.

This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical,

sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given

supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their

safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 6

3Warranties

EcoOnline™ offers the following Warranties

20 year return to base Warranty on all MOTECH cell solar PV panels

5 year return to base limited Warranty on all Vertex system HDPE collectors

1 year return to base limited Warranty on all Vertex system pumps

See our Terms and Conditions page for further details: www.EcoOnline.com.au/terms-and-conditions

4System Sizing Guarantee

Sizing systems is difficult involving a lot of factors which we could get wrong. Hence in addition to the above

Warranties EcoOnline offers a System Sizing Guarantee as follows. If we sized your system (or you use our online

calculator) and you took our advice and you aren’t happy with the systems performance (heat output), then you can

purchase up to 25% more panels originally supplied by EcoOnline up to two years after your original purchase and

we will ship the items free of shipping charges.

5Collector and Solar Pump Sizing Guide

An interactive collector and pump sizing calculator,

for vinyl covered spas pools can be found on our website:

www.ecoonline.com.au/covered-spa-heating-system-sizing-calculator

Customer please note: Collector warranty is VOID if collectors are installed:

without a vacuum release valve on the inlet line,

or in a manner that prevents collector from fully draining when the pump stops.

Such installations will expose the collectors to strong fatiguing positive/negative pressures,

and/or stagnant hot chlorinated water on hot days. These situations will have detrimental

effects on the collectors which will limit lifetimes and can also result in significant

shrinkage of the collectors which would put strain on roof attachments means.

Pump warranty is VOID if pumps are installed:

with a pump height greater than 3.5m (per pump for dual pumps)

without the protective bypass line,

or with inappropriately sloped or non air tight suction line,

or with the suction line tee’d into the mains pump filter line without independent

suction ports installed,

or without the Vertex strainer.

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 7

for uncovered or blanket covered pools or swim spas please use the calculator here:

www.ecoonline.com.au/uncovered-swim-spa-heating-system-sizing-calculator

6Spa Chemistry Compatibility Guide

Incompatible Chemistries

Alternatives Chemistry

✘Bromide Based Chlorination

✔Any other Chlorination or Sanitation

✘Hydrochloric Acid

✔Sodium Bisulphate Acid

✘Acidic Water (pH less than 7.2)

✔Water pH greater than 7.6

This system is not compatible with bromide chlorination, hydrochloric acid use and/or acidic

pool/spa water (pH less than 7.2). Sodium Carbonate must be added to protect the system

from acidic pH (<7). pH should be maintained between 7.2-7.8 for maximum system longevity.

If required Sodium Bisulphate acid can be used to keep the pH down.

For maximum pump and system longevity we strongly recommend a non-chlorine/bromide

based sanitation method.

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 8

7Roof Type Compatibility Guide

Roof Type

Air Gap Distance

Recommendation

Standard Corrugated Iron roof (Custom Orb)

17mm

Okay

Relatively Flat Tile roof

Less than 25mm

Okay

Spandek Iron roof

24mm

Okay

Modulated Tile roof

Greater than 25mm

Region A Only

Trimdek Iron roof

29mm

Region A Only

Klip-lok Iron roof

43mm

Region A Only

Flatdek Iron roof

45mm

Not Recommended

8Wind and Climate Considerations

The average air gap distance between the mounted collector and roof structure has a strong

influence on wind loadings. If panels are to be installed on a roof then the following should

be observed to limit wind uplift potential.

1) Installed panels should lay flat close to the roof structure. It is recommend the air

gap distance between the bottom of the installed collector and the valley points of

the roof corrugations should be no greater than approximately 40mm.

2) Panels should have adequate clearance from roof edges.

3) Panels on roofs should not be mounted on tilt frames.

Panels installed above the roof structure with 50mm or greater underneath air gaps

experience much higher wind loadings and are now subject to the Australian wind loading

standard AS/NZD 1170.2.

It is the responsibility of the installer to consider wind loading factors, see “wind proofing”

section below. If the installation site is within strong wind speed areas then the extra

stainless steel guide line must be installed across each row with the in-between panel

anchor points. Do not assume supplied components are sufficient.

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 9

9Included System Components

Panel Kit (if purchased)

1 × HDPE collector panel

2 × 40mm reinforced silicon joiners

4 × Stainless steel hose clamps

6 × 316 stainless straps (black)

1 × 25cm length perforated 316 stainless band

Vertex Solar™ Pool & Spa Heating System -- Installation & User Manual

Page 10

12V Solar Pump Kit

1 × 12V Solar pump (max 3.5 pump height) with

connector, 1 × 25mm PVC Bubble chamber, 1 × 20mm

Strainer to Pump SpaFlex line, 1 × Vertex Non-return

1 × 40W or 60W Solar panel with PVC wire, connector

and under-temperature thermostat

Vertex Base Plumbing Kit Components

1 × Vacuum (and

positive pressure)

air release valve

1 × Vertex strainer with

water buffer chamber

1 × 70cm PVC pre-strainer

line SpaFlex line

2 × 40mm hose barb to

25/32mm PVC glue

socket/take off

Vertex Self Base Plumbing Kit Components

1 × 10m role of 20mm PVC

SpaFlex hose (MUST use

SpaFlex glue ONLY)

1 × 2meter 6mm by-

pass line

1 × Suction line “over

the top” suction

adapter

3 × 20mm PVC elbows +

1 ×20mm PVC ball valve

Table of contents

Other EcoOnline Heating System manuals

EcoOnline

EcoOnline Vertex Flood-Prime Instruction Manual

Popular Heating System manuals by other brands

aerauliqa

aerauliqa QR350ABP installation manual

WatchGas

WatchGas ATEX BEACON manual

Viessmann

Viessmann Vitoligno 300-H Operating Instructions for the System User

Lampoassa

Lampoassa 203GT user manual

MSA

MSA SOA-1022 operating manual

nilan

nilan Compact P user manual

ITR

ITR OASIS NE-S owner's manual

Carrier

Carrier 48LJD Installation, Start-Up and Service Instructions

aldes

aldes EVEREST XV installation instructions

Kober

Kober C22SPV23MEF user manual

Oxygen

Oxygen X-Air V400 Installation and operation manual

Carrier

Carrier FB4CNF installation instructions

Kroll

Kroll HM200 Instruction handbook

Kroll

Kroll HM200 Instruction handbook

NuAire

NuAire XBOXER XBC Series Installation operating and maintenance istructions

Trane

Trane VR104GD-U Series installation instructions

Vents

Vents VUT V mini user manual

Viessmann

Viessmann Divicon installation instructions