disabling frost protection

[steff503]

Have a First Solar water heater 40 gallon. We have work station SP106. And SP24 controller http://www.solar-water-heater-pro.co...fsp-sp106.aspx

It has a frost protection feature which circulates through the panels when the outside temp(T1) hits 2C. I can only change it between 2 and 8C.

We have Glycol in the panels so it will not freeze.
As a result it is circulating antifreeze from the coil through the array and cooling down the water in the tank.

Can I disable this feature or any other ideas.
We have the manual but it does not help.
Steff

[Mike90250]

If it has a motor, it has wires to the motor. add a switch, but if you frost your collectors, I didn't do it.

[inetdog]

If it has a motor, it has wires to the motor. add a switch, but if you frost your collectors, I didn't do it.

If he needs this to be automatic, he would have to add one or more temperature sensors with a controller to operate a relay to cut off the motor just when the panels are cold.
If he puts in just a switch, he then risks cooking his panels if he forgets to turn it back on.

[Naptown]

How about a remote bulb cooling thermostat it switches off at just above the set point on the controller and turns on when above
Honeywell among others make many of these for refrigeration applications

[steff503]

Am I roght in thinking that 8C is way too warm to freeze anything.

I feel like if there is a changeable set point it should go much lower than 35F

Yes I could put a switch but after spending hundreds on this unit I would like for it to work. Don't mind a little tweek but to start re wiring will be a last resort.

[LucMan]

Am I roght in thinking that 8C is way too warm to freeze anything.

I feel like if there is a changeable set point it should go much lower than 35F

Yes I could put a switch but after spending hundreds on this unit I would like for it to work. Don't mind a little tweek but to start re wiring will be a last resort.

Contact your installer and ask him if it can be turned off in the controller, most can.

[steff503]

We are the installer.

[J.P.M.]

We are the installer.

I'd get a different controller that allows the freeze protection to be turned off. Or, as a poor 2d choice, because it's closed loop glycol (w/ absolutely NO danger of freezing), depending on climate, put it on a timer and turn the controller off at night. Most collectors will stay (stagnate) 15-30 deg. F above ambient most of the day in cloudy weather if irradiance is not enough to actuate the pump. This may be high enough to keep the collector sensor above the freeze trip temp.