SmartPool Inc S411 User Manual

F OR I N GROU N D PO O L S

1

I N S TA L L ATION AND

O P ERATION MANUA L

How Solar Pool Heating Wo r k s Why SunHeater

• Using your pool pump, water
is automatically pumped

through the solar collectors.

• The water is then heated as it
moves through the collectors.

• The heated water is returned
back to the pool, through
your return lines.

• You enjoy your own
heated pool with no
fuel costs.

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY. YOUR ENJOYMENT OF YOUR SOLAR HEATED POOL

YOUR WARRANTY ARE AFFECTED BY HOW YOUR SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM IS INSTA L L E D

A N D

CAUTION:

a) Solar collectors are often installed on the roofs of buildings. Unless you are very familiar with working
on roofs and have the proper ladders and safety equipment for such work, you should hire someone with
the necessary experience to do the installation. Failure to observe safe practices on a roof or other elevated
structure may result in falling, leading to serious injury to you.

b) When installing collectors on the ground, do not build a rack support that could allow children access
into the pool.

Collector Cross Section - Shown Actual Size

• Water is heated as it moves through the many
tubes in the 4’ x 20’ solar collectors.

• Tube and web design traps heat, catches light as
the sun moves across the sky.

• Tough polypropylene material won’t rust, corrode
or scale. Plus, the collector is reversible.

T M

Works Best

O R I E N TAT I O N

2

H ow Well Does Solar Heating Wo r k ?

A properly sized and installed system will raise
pool temperatures 10-150during the season.
When it’s cloudy or rainy, solar won’t work as
well (and you probably won’t be swimming
during those times), but your water will be back
up to temperature after one or two warm days.

Do I Need A Special Pump?

If your pool pump is in good working condition,
there shouldn’t be any problem using your
existing pump. A one HP pump will handle
installations up to 30 feet away from the pool
equipment and one story up. If the collectors
are cool to the touch when the water is running
through them on a warm day, you are getting
enough flow.

SIZING GUIDE FOR INGROUND POOLS

Pool Size up to Quantity

15x30 (15,000 Gallons) 2 SunHeater
16X36 (22,500 Gallons) 3 SunHeater
20X40 (30,000 Gallons) 4 SunHeater

In Year Round Swimming Areas, Add One More Collector

Use a solar blanket to hold in heat

Where Can I Put The Solar Collectors ?

Anywhere you get full sun for at least six hours
during the day. The longer the collectors are in
the full sun, the better they work. If you are
mounting on an angle (like a roof or rack), the
collectors should face in a southerly direction if
possible.

What Additional Pa rts Will I Need
To Complete My Installation?

You will need the correct amount of pipe to
connect the collectors to your pool equipment.
For inground pools, we suggest you use rigid 1.5”
schedule 40 PVC pipe. You’ll need PVC primer,
glue and fittings. Glue and fittings are available
where you buy your pipe.

TM

Collectors & 1 System Kit

TM

Collectors & 1 System Kit

TM

Collectors & 1 System Kit

B A S I C
SYSTEM
L AYO U T

• When mounting on a sloped
surface, always feed in the bottom
and return from the top.

• Feed and return on the opposite
ends of the collectors.

• Collectors should slope slightly
toward feed line (about 2”) for
draining and winterization.

• Collectors should lie in full sun and face
in a southerly direction if possible.

• Patented brackets and strap are
included with the system along
with lag screws.

OPTIONAL RACK MOUNTING INFORMAT I O N

3

Some poolowners prefer to construct a rack for mounting their collectors on the ground.
If the collector is to be mounted on a rack, please refer to the drawing below for a suggested design

and a bill of materials. Arack should face in a southerly direction, get full sun for most of the day and be
constructed so that it does not provide access to the pool for children.

All other procedures remain the same whether you are mounting on a roof or a rack. Begin with section
1 “Mount The Collectors”

BASIC COLLECTOR MOUNTING LAY O U T

4

• Slots are provided in each solar collector
for mounting with brackets as shown.

• Mount collectors with slots along the top of each
collector so it is hanging from the bracket.

• Collector should slope slightly toward feed line (about 2”) for draining and winterization.

• Brackets and strap are included with your system.

• Do not add additional mounting hardware other than what is provided.

• Detailed mounting instructions are included under section 1 “Mount The Collectors”
and strap instructions in section 3.

relax in the sun (30 minutes to an hour). Do not lay the collector
on the grass - it can burn the lawn underneath. Allow at least
one foot around the solar system for brackets and piping. Roof
obstructions like vents should be taken into consideration when
laying out collectors. With a roof vent up to 3” in diameter, the
collectors can be placed on either side of the vent.

Determine the position of the top collector. The mounting
bracket will be located at each slot along the length of the
collector. The row should slope slightly toward the inlet point
(where the water enters the collectors) to allow for drainage.

Drill 1/8” holes for a 1/4” lag screw for all brackets. Lag screws
should be long enough to reach the subroof under the shingles.
Inject a generous amount of silicone sealant into the holes and
onto the surrounding roof surface. Mount the bracket to the roof
as shown with the bracket centered in the slot.

CONNECT THE
C O L L E C T O R S

SunHeater solar collectors are modular and can be easily
connected by using the hardware provided using a screwdriver
or nutdriver. The ends of the headers on each collector are
machined to seat the collector hoses and to seal off where
the clamps are tightened.

Slip the connector hoses up to, but not over, the shoulder
groove. Locate the hose clamps 3/8” in from the end of each
hose to center them over the grooves on the header and tight­en (Do Not Overtighten). The hose clamps must be located
over the grooves in the header.

Finish connecting collectors by inserting the endcap and vacu­um relief end cap at diagonal ends of the collector row. The
vacuum relief end cap (shown at left), allows the system to
drain down and is inserted at the top of the system.

1

MOUNT THE
C O L L E C T O R S

2

5

Tools:• Silicone Sealant, (GE II or equivalent)

• Screwdriver or 5/16” nutdriver

• Ratchet or speed wrench to drive lag screws

Remove the collector from the box and allow the material to