Trying to keep up w/ Chem Geek

[CarlD]

Chem_Geek loves to get technical and has been a WONDERFUL contributer to all our knowledge. Sometimes we have to filter it down to practical usage rules for the non-tech pool owner. But, even when I can't follow it, I value his input enormously. When I can, I sometimes even can add an intelligent comment!

But that's OK. As posters we have some limits on what we can say, but analysis of the chemistry and physics of pools is pretty open. The REALLY high-level stuff goes into the China Shop.

The SIMPLEST solution I can offer to your solar panel question is really simple--just have an adjustable valve to control the water flow to the solar panels and valve it down so the pump doesn't over-stress them and cause them to fail. That's ALL you need to do.

[Poconos]

I think Carl just left out the solar panel bypass line. You really don't want to restrict the total flow so the easiest way is to add valves so you can divert only part of the total flow to the solar panels. That's what I do. I basically split the filter output 3 ways. Straight to the returns and one each to the two solar collectors with ball valves in each line. The solar collectors just dump into the deep end from a couple of hoses under the diving board but you could just as well plumb them back into the return line.
Al

[CarlD]

Of course, Al is right. I was simply saying that the pipe to the panels you restrict with the valve. I didn't mean the flow to the returns--you do NOT want to mess with that!

[ShelleyAnn]

So that post was not the really high level stuff huh? I guess I'm glad I can swim!

Last year I had ALL the water going thru the 3x9s tandem. Was I just lucky they didn't leak? It did seem like a LOT of pressure going thru, but this was the way the pool guy set them up. They worked like a charm in the noon time sun.

Don't tell me...is this Waterford pump going to last 25 years with proper maintenance? I'm already wanting a different refrigerator with our 10-year old one is working just fine. I don't want to push the husband over the edge asking for a new pump too.

[CarlD]

So that post was not the really high level stuff huh? I guess I'm glad I can swim!

Last year I had ALL the water going thru the 3x9s tandem. Was I just lucky they didn't leak? It did seem like a LOT of pressure going thru, but this was the way the pool guy set them up. They worked like a charm in the noon time sun.

Most pool guys have no idea how to set up solar panels.

The EASIEST way is to have a Y in the return line. One branch of the Y goes to the return(s) with nothing in between. The other goes to the solar and you can have 1 valve or 2 or 18, depending on your setup. I have 3 valves. The first is just an on/off cuttoff for all the solar panels, then there's ANOTHER Y off of that one that each has a valve for each set of panels (I have 2 sets of solar panels).

Can't get you a picture of it right now, though.

[ShelleyAnn]

Thanks everyone for all your input.

Carl, I will wait for the ice to melt in your neck of the woods so you can send me that pic! We are up to our eyeballs in snow here so it's not like I'm being held up or anything.

From what I gleened from the Hot Sun Industries web site, my panels were upside down all last year, meaning the pipe leaving the panel was at the bottom, not the top so air could have been trapped in the upper corner. Live and learn. In another 100 years, I'll have EVERYTHING figured out.

[CarlD]

Ok,
I've attached a pic of my return setup. To the left of the red ball-valve handle, you'll see a Tee--the part going up is the return to the pool, the part going right to the ball valve is for the solar panels. To the right of that you'll see another tee and on each leg is a sluice valve, with the blue knobs.

Each sluice valve is for a solar panel group (my solar panels are 2'x4' and I have about 32 of them). I can open each group just a crack, depending on whether my pump is on low speed or full speed. At full speed I open each group 1 and 1/4 turn. At low speed I open them all the way.

Each group of solar panels has its own return at the far end of the pool.

Very, very simple. Hope this helps!