American Water Heater 318281-000 Collector Piping Detail, Sensor Mounting AT Collector

COLLECTOR PIPING DETAIL

The outlets of the collector are 1” copper pipe nipples	Sensor Wire
	(To Collector)
(Figure 19). They should be piped as shown with
provisions for an automatic air vent. The air vent must be
oriented vertically as this must be the highest point in the
system in order for air to escape. This will prevent air lock
and subsequent loss of system efficiency. Teflon tape
or high temperature, high quality pipe sealant should be
used when making threaded connections.
The collector inlets should be piped similarly but without
the automatic air vent.	Figure 21
SENSOR MOUNTING AT COLLECTOR
	PIPE INSULATION
The angled collector heat sensor is mounted to the
outlet of the collector (Figure 20). The stainless steel	The collector loop piping (exterior and interior) must be
screw clamp should be used. The entire sensor should	well insulated with a high quality flexible EPDM closed
be wrapped thoroughly with the insulating stretch tape	cell insulation to minimize heat loss. The wall thickness
so that the sensor is isolated from the outside air. If	of the pipe insulation should not be less than ¾”. A 1” wall
possible route the sensor wire through the roof flashing	thickness is required in all areas prone to annual hard
and connect the sensor wire to the sensor extension wire	freeze conditions. When it comes to pipe insulation the
provided with wire nuts.	rule is simple: thicker is better. The specified insulation
	material is Armacell UT Solaflex or equivalent.
	To the extent possible, slide the insulation material over
	the pipe without cutting or taping. All butt joints must be
	sealed with high temperature contact adhesive. The use
	of rigid polyethylene pipe insulation is prohibited. All
	outdoor insulation should be protected from moisture
	and Ultraviolet deterioration by either paint or foil
	tape. Insulation to complete the outdoor portion of the
	installation has been provided.
	PREPARATION OF THE HEAT TRANSFER FLUID

Figure 20

PIPING THROUGH THE ROOF

Piping through the roof should be weatherproofed as shown in Figure 21. Three-quarter inch holes are drilled through the roof on the same plane as the supply and return header pipes. Do not drill the hole above the supply header of the collector. This will prevent the collector from draining. Placing the hole below the supply header is acceptable, but it is more aesthetic if it is located on the same plane. The flashing plate is placed over the hole with its base cemented and nailed to the roof and its upper edges slid under the adjoining shingle. A hole 1/2 the diameter of the supply tube should be cut in the top of the flashing gasket and the copper tube supply and return line is then pushed up through the hole in the flashing. The same procedure is then repeated for the return line and flashing. The sensor wire should also be run through the return flashing by piercing a small hole in one of the corner nipples. Caution - making the hole for the copper pipe or the sensor wire too big will prevent a proper seal. The return and supply lines should be supported under the roof to prevent undue stress on the piping assemblies at the collector.

Pour 100% Propylene Glycol into a large clean bucket. Add an equivalent amount of distilled or

de-mineralized water for a 50/50 solution by volume.

The use of regular tap water as a mixing agent is prohibited. Distilled or de-mineralized water is often available from grocery stores and drugstores. This solution provides freeze protection down to -30° F and burst protection down to -60° F.

Use of heat-transfer fluid other than a maximum 50/50 mix by volume of Propylene Glycol and distilled or de- mineralized water is not permitted. Use of any heat-transfer fluid other than that specified by the appliance manufacturer will void warranty, and may result in poor performance, equipment damage, or risk to health and safety.

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