FAFCO Solar Bear User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- FAFCO
Table of Contents
FAFCO Solar Bear User Manual
Overview
Thank you for choosing FAFCO for your solar swimming pool heating solution. This Solar Collector is proudly manufactured in the United States. Since 1969, we have provided high-quality, long- lasting products that help our customers save money on energy costs and reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional energy sources.
Read this manual completely before installing your system. Use caution when selecting the location to mount your solar collector. Failure to observe safe practices on any elevated structure may result in falling, leading to serious injury. Unless you are experienced and have proper safety equipment, hire someone with the necessary experience to do the installation. If you build a ground rack, ensure that it does not enable children access into the pool.
How it works:
- Sunshine heats the solar collector.
- The swimming pool pump circulates pool water through the heated solar collector.
- Warm, solar-heated water flows back into your pool.
- You enjoy swimming in a solar heated pool!
CAUTION : This product is for use with above-ground swimming pools and above-ground swimming pool equipment ONLY. Failure to obey could result in injury or death
Contents
Your system includes one solar collector, along with mounting hardware, connection hardware, an integrated bypass valve and valve handle. See the list below for the contents of your exact system:
Flexible Pool Hose (Recommended)
Additional Materials Required:
– 1-1/2” I.D. flexible hose
– Ground spikes (ground installation)
– Optional Rack Mounting:
- Mounting screws (1/4” x 2” long, outdoor screws)
- Ground rack lumber and materials
Tools required:
– Flat head screwdriver or 5/16” nut driver
– Optional Rack Mounting:
- Power drill with 1/8” pilot drill bit and a Phillips head bit
Rigid PVC Pipe
Additional Materials Required:
– Mounting screws (1/4” x 2” long, outdoor screws)
– PVC primer, PVC cement, and PVC fittings
– (2) 1-1/2” PVC tees, (6) 1-1/2” PVC elbows (varying with installation)
– 1-1/2” Sch.40 PVC pipe to connect solar system to pool equipment
Tools required:
– PVC pipe cutters or equivalent
– Flat head screwdriver or 5/16” nut driver for tightening hose clamps
• Power drill with 1/8” pilot drill bit and a Phillips head bit
Installation
1) Determine location to install solar collector
Select an unshaded location on the ground near the pool that is 1 foot wider and 1 foot longer than your collector’s footprint and receives full sun for most of the day. The solar collectors operate most efficiently when tilted 10 to 30 degrees towards the South, although they are still effective when facing West, East, or mounted flat. The solar collectors must be mounted horizontally on a smooth and flat surface using the provided mounting hardware to prevent damage. The solar collector inlet (water coming from the pump and filter) must always be at the lowest point of the solar collectors (unless mounted flat). They need to be accessible for annual winterizing. (Note: Winter is considered anytime air temperature is below 40°F.)
For ground installation, consider laying the solar collectors on grass, smooth gravel, landscaping bark or similar. If available ground surfaces are not smooth and flat, consider building a wooden rack, platform, or deck. An example ground rack is shown on the next page. This product can not be mounted on a roof.
2) Roll out solar collector
Lay the box containing the solar system near the selected installation location. Ensure there are no rocks or other sharp objects lying on the ground that could puncture the solar collector. Remove the contents and verify quantities using list shown in the overview.
Position the rolled up solar collector so that it will unroll into the area you have chosen. Remove and discard the plastic end caps used for shipping. Cut the solar collector strap with scissors. Be careful so you don’t damage the solar collector. Gently unroll the solar collector. Place a smooth object of no more than 15 pounds on each end of the solar collector to hold them flat. After 30 minutes or so in the sun the panel will stay flat.
3) Strap down the solar collector
Lay the mounting straps evenly spaced across the solar collector. The outside mounting straps should be roughly 6 inches away from solar collector ends. Place mounting bases under mounting straps, a couple inches away from both sides of the solar collector.
For ground installations, anchor the mounting bases to the ground using groundspikes (not included). For ground rack installations, align straps with rafter locations in order to anchor mounting bases to rafters (Item 2 on pg. 4). Lift mounting strap away and drive 1/4” x 2” outdoor screws into mounting bases. Thread on mounting caps.
4) Connect to pool and start-up
Flexible Pool (not included)
a. The solar collector ends are 1-1/2” hose size. If your pool uses a
different hose size, purchase appropriate reducers from a pool supply store.
b. Turn on your pool pump and record the pressure shown on the pressure gauge
on the pool filter. Turn off your pool pump and block the inlet and outlet
ofyour pool using the plugs supplied by your pool manufacturer or a suitable
alternative.
c. Disconnect the hose at the pool filter outlet.
d.Use a new or existing 1-1/2” flexible hose to connect the pool filter outlet
to the solar collector. The solar collector inlet is at the bottom of solar
collector, unless laid flat in which case either end can be the inlet. Place a
hose clamp on the end of the hose and push the hose onto solar collector end
at least one inch past the raised ribs. Slide the hose clamp into place and
tighten. Note: You may need to warm the hose end by placing it in hot water
for several seconds to make it more pliable. e.Use a new or existing 1-1/2”
flexible hose to connect the remaining solar collector end to the pool inlet
or existing pool heater inlet.
f. Unblock the inlet and outlet of your pool. Be sure the red handle in the
middle of the end-pipe of your solar collector is parallel with the end-pipe
(solar offposition) prior to starting the system. Turn your pump on and check
the hose clamps and plumbing for leaks. If there’s a leak, you may have to
loosen the clamp, then push the hose further up onto the barb. Then tighten
the hose clamps or couplers again. After the pump is on and has run for about
5 minutes, slowly turn the red handle (‘Solar On’ position). Watch the
pressure gauge on your filter. When it has increased 5-7 psi you have achieved
optimum flow through the panel and should stop turning the handle. In most
cases the handle should never be turned completely across the pipe. The air
that was in the panel will bubble out into your pool for a few minutes–this is
normal.
Rigid PVC Pipe (Not Included)
a. The solar collector ends have 1-1/2” barbed hose connections. You have the
option to use this connection type, or unthread the hose connections and use
the 1-1/2” MPT threads on the ends of the solar collector. Common 1-1/2”
threaded pipe fittings can then be used to connect to the solar collector, if
rigid PVC pipe is used. If your pool uses a different pipe size, consider
using appropriate reducers.
b. Turn on your pool pump and record the pressure shown on the pressure gauge
on the pool filter. Turn off your pool pump. If the pump is lower than the top
of the pool, block the inlet and outlet of the pool.
c. Cut out approximately 2 foot section of pipe directly after the pool filter
using PVC pipe cutters or equivalent.
d. Using appropriate PVC primer and cement, glue an 1-1/2” elbow on each open
end.
e. Install pipe and elbows to connect the elbow immediately after the filter
to the solar inlet on the bottom of the solar collector, and to
connect the other elbow to solar collector outlet on top of the solar
collector.
f. Unblock the inlet and outlet of your pool. Be sure the red handle in the
parallel to the end-pipe of your solar collector is in line with the end-pipe
(solar off position) prior to starting the system.
Turn your pump on and check the hose clamps and plumbing for leaks. If there’s a leak, you may have to loosen the clamp, then push the hose further up onto the barb. Then tighten the hose clamps or couplers again. After the pump is on and has run for about 5 minutes, slowly turn the red handle (‘Solar On’ position). Watch the pressure gauge on your filter. When it has increased 5-7 psi you have achieved optimum flow through the panel and should stop turning the handle. In most cases the handle should never be turned completely across the pipe. The air that was in the panel will bubble out into your pool for a few minutes–this is normal.
Operation
WARNING : If the solar collector is full of water and has been sitting in the sun without the pump running, the water can get very hot. Hot water can cause burns , so be sure that everyone is away from the pool inlet each time the solar is turned on.
When the solar system is running efficiently, the solar collector will be cool to the touch. The sun’s heat will be carried into your pool immediately. For best results, turn on your solar collector whenever it is in the sun. Turn the solar and/or the pump off at night, when it’s cloudy, or when it’s raining to prevent cooling of the pool. If your pool system has a timer, set it to operate from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is the best solar heating period. Using a pool blanket in addition to the solar system will hold the warmth in the pool and help it heat more quickly. It is particularly important to use the blanket at night or when it’s windy. If your pool becomes too warm during the season, turn the pump and solar on at night to help cool the pool.
Winterization
SOLAR COLLECTOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY FREEZING WATER IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WATER WILL FREEZE AT 40°F, FOLLOW THIS WINTERIZATION PROCEDURE TO AVOID FREEZE DAMAGE:
The solar collector must be completely drained and isolated before winter to prevent freeze damage. The solar collector will not be damaged by freezing conditions when properly drained and isolated as follows:
- Turn off the pool pump and plug pool inlet and outlet.
- Disconnect solar collector
- The solar collector must be manually lifted and drained. Unmount solar collector and fully drain them by tilting them back and forth until no evidence of water remains inside of them.
- Store solar collector in a conditioned space (above 40o F) for the winter.
- Cap off the open pipe or hose connections.
- The pool pump, filter, and sweep can now be used while the solar collector is properly stored for the winter.
Note:
Operating your solar system during freezing conditions is not an approved freeze-protection method. Blowing the lines and/or solar collectors with a shop vacuum, leaf blower, or compressor will NOT remove water completely and is not an approved freeze-protection method.
For above-ground swimming pool use only.
Don’t forget, if you need more solar heat, you can always add another Solar
Collector.
(Check your product spec sheet for more information)
For more information on your FAFCO product
visit
www.fafco.com/online-support
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