
Thermo Technologies
5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 115
.
.
Columbia, MD 21044
Thermoteks.com
November 2005
Thermomax Solar Water Heater
Installation Manual
..........
Installation Procedure for Flatroof and
Ground
Revision 8

.
.
Thermomax Solar Water
Heater Installation
CAUTIONS
YOU MUST THOROUGHLY READ BASIC GUIDE FOR THERMOMAX
TECHNICAL DETAILS & INSTALLATION MANUAL BEFORE
COMMENCING SYSTEM INSTALLATION
1. The Thermomax tubes should under no circumstances be exposed to the sun
for extended periods (maximum one day) if the system has not been filled.
No load operation of the system will permanently damage Thermomax
tubes.
2. The circulating pump should under no circumstances be switched off during
a sunny day. This will create a high temperature and as a result, high
pressure in the system. When not in use for extended periods, the
circulating pump must be left switched on and a by-pass should divert the
heat from the storage tank.
3. The contractor shall verify true south and shall orient the collector tubes
facing true south. The collector tilt angle shall be nominally set at latitude
but never less than 25°. At a lower inclination, the output of the collector
will be reduced.
4. Unpack and install the collector tubes AFTER the manifold unit and pump
has been installed and the piping has been connected.
5. Gloves and eye protection should be worn when handling the glass.
6. Avoid any sudden shock to the tubes.
7. Avoid scratching the glass collector tubes, as this will reduce their strength.
8. ALL LOCAL AUTHORITIES REGULATIONS AND RELEVANT
STANDARDS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.

Solar Collector Installation Procedure
Select suitable locations for Thermomax Solar arrays. It should face due true south with a tilt angle of
location latitude. Collector sizes, distances between brackets, and corresponding tilt angle of the collector
are given in the following pages.
(1) Position and bolt front brackets (Pt. No. A0167A) and rear brackets (Pt. No. A0166A) to
the cement block using coach screws (pt. No. A0168B). The cement block shall weight 100
lb. Minimum.
(2) Use lead plugs (pt. No. A0836A) in concrete
blocks.

(3) Fix rear struts (Pt. No. B0007C) to rear bracket.
(4) Bolt the bottom support rail (pt. No B0178A) to side rail (Pt. No. B0282A) and the front
brackets hinge (Pt. No. A0174A) using lower hole in side rail. Distances from side rails to
ends of the support rail ends should be equal.
(5) Bolt top support rail (pt. No. B0288E) through lower hole in top end of side rail to hinge
plate on top of rear st rut (Pt. No. B0007B). Distances from side rails to top support rail ends
should be equal.
(6) Locate and secure a universal brace (Part No. B0006B) using the single hole, to the front
bracket. Secure slotted end of universal brace to rear strut in either position shown. Locate
second universal brace on other side of frame.
(7) Secure a third universal brace diagonally between rear struts and cut off any excess
lengths.

(8) Tighten all nuts and bolts.
(9) Locate manifold in top support rail lip and bolt as shown. Ensure the distance from the
side rails to the manifold ends should be the same as the top support rail.
(10) Locate manifold fittings to manifold inlet and outlet. Note that the air vent should be
installed vertically.
(11) Check all plumbing and piping between collector and hot water storage tank.
(12) Switch on circulating pump.

(13) Make sure there is no leak in piping system.
(14) Check system pressure and flow rate.
(15) Take-off manifold's lid and remove top layer of insulation from manifold.
(A) With the supplied Stainless steel tube (Key Lever) open the pocket in
the manifold chamber "B" by turning the Key Level "C" through 90o. Unpack
the first tube; insert condenser "A" gently through grommet in front of the
manifold. Resting the tube body on the rubber pads of the top and bottom
support rails, slide the condenser "A" into the open pocket. ENSURE BLUE
SURFACE OF ABSORBER FACES UPPERMOST AND TOWARDS THE
SOUTH.
(B) Make sur e the tube condenser is exactly between the two copper blocks
and sits evenly through hole in manifold chamber.
(C) Secure tubes by turning the Key Lever to original position.
(D) Set clips over tubes to both top and bottom support rails.
(E) Repeat stages (A), (B), (C), and (D) for all tubes.
(16) Replace top layer of insulation into manifold. Replace manifold's lid and secure with selftapping screws.
(17) Make the final inspection on each tube.
(18) Set clips over tubes to both top and bottom support rails.
(19) Switch the pump to control system
The manifold flow and return connections are 3/4" copper pipes. Two compression couplings are
included in each manifold system. These couplings are to be used. Manifold inlet and outlet
should not be soldered.