Issue: Solar Panel with Evaporative Cooling and Rheem Gas Solar Water Heater

BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 16:26
Last edited 24/06/2025 - 11:42 by 2 other users

We had constant leaking water from a pipe and had plumber come out and found there was a burst in the solar panel- single panel on roof and he said it is no good and will probably need to be replaced, cannot be repaired as he has had many such plumbing issues to fix.

I was not there at the time of repair but later found the water supply connections to the panel have been disconnected, pipes removed where the solar panel water heater and now the leaks from the roof have stopped.

And the water tank is now turned off with no water stored in the tank but I am still getting hot water in taps in the house.

Only other thing is I have turned On my evaporative cooling- Bonaire brand first time this season and it is blowing hot air now but no error codes on the remote.

So, my question is - is the water tank supposed to be empty and turned off permanently- was that the solution and is it related to my cooling in any way?

Tried ringing plumber couple of times few weeks after but is not answering phone calls.

Please anyone's advice in this will be highly appreciated.

Update June 24 2025

Solar panel single on roof - was damaged and had a constant water leak.

Plumber came and said it's not worth replacing it, they always give lots of trouble and disconnected water heater box from the solar panel/ water connection to panel also isolated to stop water leak and the water heater now has been working instantaneously which I believe is not even using water tank to store water if I am not wrong.

Now after a while, the water in the house is lukewarm.

What can be the issue for this, if I could do some troubleshooting or if easy repair myself.

Would appreciate help.

Home & Garden Evaporative Cooler Solar Energy System

Comments

  • Protractor on 20/01/2025 - 16:43

    Accurate drawing of before and after of plumbing pipes etc,required

  • JimmyF on 20/01/2025 - 16:48

    I was not there at the time of repair but later found the water supply connections to the panel have been disconnected, pipes removed where the solar panel water heater and now the leaks from the roof have stopped.

    Ummm yeah your plumber 'fixed' the water leak for you, by removing the leaking panel out of the system while you sort out what you'll do.

    Only other thing is I have turned On my evaporative cooling- Bonaire brand first time this season and it is blowing hot air now but no error codes on the remote.

    Did you turn on cooling mode?

    Is the water tap to the unit turned on?

    Is there water in the unit when you have it turned on?

  • BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 16:50

    Yes I turned ON cooling mode.

    Where do I find water tap to the unit? Is it around the water heater like a valve?

  • mskeggs on 20/01/2025 - 16:51
    +1

    The old solahart systems are terribly designed with joints that corrode after a decade and are irreparable.
    The only bright side is they are now so comically expensive they won't have sold any for a couple of years.
    I am guessing you had a roof panel with a ground level tank, and it sounds like the plumber disconnected the panel, but left the ground level tank working from electric.
    Or perhaps installed a new system?

    You really should be able to tell us, not hope we can guess what happened.

    • BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 16:53

      Yes it is a roof panel with a ground solar level tank and the plumber has disconnected the panel and no water in water tank and one cable is unplugged.

      Has not installed any new system.

      • mskeggs on 20/01/2025 - 16:54

        So where is the hot water in your taps coming from? And what cable is unplugged?

        • BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 16:59

          So there is like a tank that says solar water heater and then there is a box installed at front of tank says Rheem gas boosted solar water heater from which a cable is plugged in to power socket and another cable is unplugged that has other end coming from the tank.

          The rectangle box seems to be working but the tank seems disconnected.
          The 2 cable plugged in, closest to the tank was unplugged before.
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/142535/files

  • mskeggs on 20/01/2025 - 17:28
    +1

    Ok, so the hot water is gas instant using the gas boost system that used to run from your solar tank. That sounds like it is working fine.

    The evap cooler needs its own water supply, cold water, not hot. Follow JimmyF comment above to check it has the supply turned on.

    • BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 18:18

      Okay thanks for confirming that.

      I will check again if I can find where the water supply is, is it usually on the ground as well or up in the roof?

      Also, if the water tank is isolated and not in use at all, is it okay in long run as ai don't intend to put another solar system in future?

      • mskeggs on 20/01/2025 - 20:55

        I would expect the cooler water supply to connect inside the roof, and have a tap near the cooler in the roof - but I don't know, maybe some have a tap at ground level.

        The gas hot water will be ok for medium term, if it is giving you hot enough hot water. They are designed to add some extra heat to water that has been heated partially in the solar panel. It might struggle in winter when you want hotter water and the water temp starts colder.
        These instantaneous units have a 10yr life, give or take. So it might not have too much time left.

  • Ocker on 20/01/2025 - 19:18

    Cannot understand why a solar panel is needed/warranted just to run the swamp box. The motor would draw less than 1kWh.
    Just bypass the solar panel and run off normal 240v

    • Protractor on 20/01/2025 - 19:35

      Isn't it a solar hot water system with gas boost,ground level tank?

      • BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 20:10

        I think so, sorry I am not that savvy with this, so trying to understand.

    • BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 20:10

      The plumber has removed the the water connection to solar, so I think it's been bypass, is that what you mean?

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2025 - 15:14
    Merged from Rheem Gas Solar Water Heater Issue

    Solar panel single on roof - was damaged and had a constant water leak.

    Plumber came and said it's not worth replacing it, they always give lots of trouble and disconnected water heater box from the solar panel/ water connection to panel also isolated to stop water leak and the water heater now has been working instantaneously which I believe is not even using water tank to store water if I am not wrong.

    Now after a while, the water in the house is lukewarm.

    What can be the issue for this, if I could do some troubleshooting or if easy repair myself.

    Would appreciate help.

    • mskeggs on 23/06/2025 - 15:24
      +3

      I think the gas boost systems are under powered, as they are designed to heat water that has already been warmed by solar.

      If you are using more hot than it can provide, it's likely time for a new system.

    • BinnyC on 23/06/2025 - 15:38
      -3

      So, ATM what would would you say is it using gas or electricity to heat up water?

      • mskeggs on 23/06/2025 - 16:33

        If it is a gas system, it won’t have an electric booster element in the big tank - so no electricity is used to heat the water.
        You could likely tell for sure if there is an electric cable going to the side of the round tank (not to the box with the gas pipe running to it, which also needs one for the gas spark).

        • BinnyC on 23/06/2025 - 16:39

          Yes you are right. Just checked and noticed it.

    • BinnyC on 23/06/2025 - 16:29

      So sorry not a very technical person but turned off the main switch and now it won't power ON. A horizontal two red - - comes and then goes blank on the OK MONITOR

      • mskeggs on 23/06/2025 - 16:34
        +1

        Not to be critical, I think it is great to try and fix things, but it sounds like you might be a bit out of your depth. Maybe time to call the plumber back as you might need a new system.

        • BinnyC on 23/06/2025 - 17:20

          Thanks for helping me and replying to help. I have taken some photos and might try to upload tonight here to give last shot , otherwise I guess will need to get someone to look at.

          Atleast it was working and there was lukewarm water, now after turning off mains for like a minute and back ON, the unit comes with those 2 red lines - - and has same noise as if it turns off and then a click noise and display goes off when once before when I did turn off the power and back on, display after a minute or so did display ON and then would go blank :(

          • mskeggs on 23/06/2025 - 19:28

            @BinnyC: It’s a hassle, but there isn’t much you can do yourself - both the water side and the power side (and the gas, for that matter) are all things that require a tradesperson to fix.

    • Powershopz on 23/06/2025 - 23:40

      Literally had this exact same scenario occur about 12 months ago.

      Judging from your comments your setup would be tank storage + instantaneous booster + pump + solar loop.

      Our hot water tank/solar loop died after about 8 years (of course just 6 months past warranty…). In the lead up to this dying we would occasionally hear a water hammer effect from the roof which was cavitation/breaks in the flow in the system. Eventually the inlet/outlet in the solar loop on the roof cracked causing leaks and the system to fail.

      We were then just running off the instantaneous booster for approx 12 months before we had issue. Would run fine for a while but then every now and then would cut out and run cold. e.g. could have a shower but then for ~10s every 1 mins it would cut out and go cold.

      Got a plumber to come out and look at it and he explained - the instantaneous booster - is just that. It's a booster. It's not a standalone system and is underpowered. With all the new build town houses, they are a cheaper spec and only designed to work in pairing with a tank. It will have a much lower life cycle if it's the only component in the system creating hot water and he was very surprised that it last 12 months. Said normally they fail in only 3-6 months when the tank/solar die.

      Ended up going with his recommendation and getting rid of the tank completely and replacing the underpowered old booster with a proper standalone gas continuous flow system.

      • BinnyC on 24/06/2025 - 13:44

        Yes have the same situation, which one did you go for and if you don't mind how much was the total cost to install ? Thanks

        Trying to upload some pictures here as well but for some reason it won't upload.

        • lgacb08 on 24/06/2025 - 17:24
          +1

          Just ring same day hot water, they can swap over for the rinnai infinity 26 for less than $2k. Just make sure the gas pipe coming into the existing system is 20mm diameter not the normal 15mm like copper water pipe. If not then you're looking at $1k extra for copper pipe run.
          Alternatively you can get rid of gas together and see how much state rebates you can get for a heat pump but I'd suspect it to be $3k for a proper one.
          and you need to stop use ozbargain website to host photo if you don't know how to change settings. Use public site like imgur or such.

          • BinnyC on 24/06/2025 - 19:01

            @lgacb08: 3k for heat pump after some government rebate or before you recon?

            • lgacb08 on 24/06/2025 - 19:56

              @BinnyC: After, for a decent one. You can get ecogenica or the like for less than $2k but it's a gamble.

              • BinnyC on 24/06/2025 - 20:45

                @lgacb08: Will look into some options.
                Will see what the plumber suggests out of the few options that is cost effective to install and run and if existing one can be repaired at all..

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