Water Tank - Solar Heating Panels

[Jakki]

Quick question about the water tank that is being heated by roof solar panels...
Is it normal for it to make loud gurgling noises as it heats up?

Once the sun has been shining for a while and the panels begin to get to work the tank makes occasional very load noises. Maybe every 15 minutes or so. Is this normal operation, or do I need to call someone in to take a look at it/

Thanks

 

[Sylvan]

Not normal

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Fitter30]

Take some pics of the system and collectors.

 

[Bannerman]

As water is heated, it expands. Has this solar heater been equipped with a thermal expansion tank to absorb the expansion?

 

[WorthFlorida]

Any idea on the temperature of the water circulating? Does the circulator pump run on a timer or temperature rise? There should be a temperature and pressure relief valve, may be one at the solar panels and one at the storage tank. If yes, can you see if any water is being discharged? In the USA, T&P valve on water heaters will open at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or at 150 PSI.

Is there any device used to prevent over heating? Does the gurgling sound like a tea kettle making noise before boiling?

 

[Sylvan]

Any idea on the temperature of the water circulating? Does the circulator pump run on a timer or temperature rise? There should be a temperature and pressure relief valve, may be one at the solar panels and one at the storage tank. If yes, can you see if any water is being discharged? In the USA, T&P valve on water heaters will open at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or at 150 PSI.

Is there any device used to prevent over heating? Does the gurgling sound like a tea kettle making noise before boiling?

Great questions as over heated water would seem to be the culprit

 

[Jakki]

It seems to just happen now on very sunny days

 

[Fitter30]

Draw a diagram how piped. Is there a drainback tank to remove all water from collectors when water storage tank reaches temperature so the water doesn't get to hot. Auto air bleeds on collectors.
http://www.solarhotusa.com/support/piping.html

 

[Jakki]

Thanks fitter.... I haven't been able to sketch a drawing. I'm not very technically minded.

Seems to be working fine in the meantime

 

[Jakki]

Thanks fitter.... i havent been able to sketch a drawing. I'm not very technically minded.

Seems to be working fine in the meanime

* meantime

 

[John Gayewski]

Solar water heating panels can easily overheat the water or glycol. Depending on what kind of system you have your going to want to get someone in there and explain what's happening. You should have a few things in your system to either divert over heated water, relieve the pressure, and/or mix it down. Any of these things going bad or not working properly is potentially dangerous.

 

[Fitter30]

Worked on only one system with evacuated solar tubes 60° overcast 150° water. Small office building. Came into the building to straighten problems out. Repipe and added a drain down tank. System would flash the glycol mix to steam blow half the mix out of the relief on the roof. Interesting building had chilled beams for cooling. Evac tubes must not like hail a lot of broken glass on the roof. St. Louis does have golf ball hail.