TROUBLESHOOTING

Most common cause for improper electric backup operation can be linked to heating element failure.

When troubleshooting an electric backup solar water heater with the incidence of “No Hot Water” or “Ins ufficient Amount
of HotW ater”, it’s always a good idea to check the heating elements first following the procedure on page 9.
Common Heating Element Failures Are:
1. Dry Firing. Element may be partially submerged in water or most likely, completely exposed with no water i n
the tank. In some cases sediment or lime build u p around an element can eventually cause an air pocket, and
within seconds, result in a dry-fired element. At this point the element becomes inoperative. When element
replacement is required, be sure the tank is full of water prior to energizing the water heater.
2. Grounded Element. An element with a short circuit to ground will in most cases ca use the circuit breaker in
the service panel to open or shut off. In some cases there may not be enough current draw for the circuit
breaker to open. This will allow the heating element to be in continuous operation resulting in over-heated
water, limited only by the ECO (Energy Cut Off) located in the thermostat. Repeated actuation of the ECO
reset button on the thermostat usually is the result of a grounded element.
3. Sediment build up. Slow hotwater recovery can usually be traced back to sediment o r lime build up around
the heating element. Sediment build up can also over time cause a dry-fired element.
Illustration 1, below shows a common “Screw-In”type heating eleme nt identifying certain features commonly referred
to throughout this manual.
1-½ Hex
Screw-in Flange
Terminal Block
Screw
Terminal Block
Zinc Plated IncoloySheath
Element Rating InkStamped
on side of Terminal Block.
Illustration 1
Typical Direct Immersion “Screw-In”
Type HeatingElement

Page 6

0642
4500W 240V
RC02404524
NOTICE

This Service Manual is forservicing the solar water heater. If other components of an

installed system requires service, those questions should be directed to the installer or

the specific component manufacturer.

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