Resol E1 control panel

[Marka]

Our solar thermal system was totally updated about 8 years ago. Recently the Resol E1 control panel stopped working; the firm we originally used checked the fuse, then said we needed a new panel: total cost of work about £560. This seems a lot, especially considering other problems we have had which have been expensively replaced. Does anybody have any advice, please? We're in Hampshire if there are any good firms out there.

[Antman]

The Resol E1 looks like a 'basic' controller from the dutch manual I just downloaded from the net. It uses the same PT1000 sensor inputs as the Navitron TDC controllers (and the current Resol range).

So the Navitron TDC2 will do a better job for £136 ish from the website  http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=156&catID=74

Just add the fitting charge (no more than an hour if its the only problem) and away you go.

£560 to replace the solar controller is just taking the proverbial - no wonder people are reluctant to take on renewables if there are cowboys like that around. Fancy an appearance on Watchdog in September? 

Antman

[forever green]

as far as I am aware the Resol E1 type of controller does not use PT1000 sensors, it uses an older semiconductor type. if you replace the controller with a type that use PT1000 you will have to change all of the sensors, including the one on the collector. Resols UK distributor still had stock of these E1 controllers 6 months ago when I needed one for a customer of mine.

[Marka]

Many thanks for these replies. Any recommendations for firms who could do this for us in Hampshire? It's not a job I could manage.

[Antman]

Try a post in the looking for installers board with a link to this thread.

I cannot fond an English manual on the web. was looking at http://www.resol.de/Produktdokumente/Alte_Montageanleitungen/Serie_E1.datde.pdf that specifically refers to PT1000 sensors as per the modern controllers.

But further delving with Google finds....

http://www.resol.de/Produktdokumente/Alte_Montageanleitungen/E1D.monde.pdf referring to the early E1/D - and has two data tables for what appears to be PTC thermistors and optional PT1000 sensors. Therefore if you have the E1/D it is likely that only the standard PTCs were used thereby requiring a climb on the roof to change the panel sensor. That will up the cost - elf'n'safety an all that  

The only way to be sure is to measure the sensor resistance and compare to the standard value at the given temperature.

If you cannot get a direct E1 replacement, the solution to not getting on the roof (regardless of sensor type) is http://www.resol.de/Produktdokumente/48006310_DeltaSol_AL_E.mon5s.pdf
This takes both types of sensor and the data tables seem to match. Sensor type is programmed in at set-up (for each of the sensors) with Sensor Type=1 for PT1000 or 2 for PTC thermistors.

Whether Navitron can order this for you I don't know - you could always try ringing the office.

Regards
Antman