Plumbing Issues- Solar Panel and Evaporative Cooling

BinnyC on 20/01/2025 - 16:26
Last edited 20/01/2025 - 17:18 by 1 other user

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.

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?

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