Do i have a leaking collector? or am i worring about nothing?

[mr_fid]

Am I being paranoid?? Or do I really have a problem?
I finally finished my solar heating system today and as I pushed in the last tube water started to drip out of the corner of the collector cover. Does this mean I have a leak in my collector or am I missing something?

I installed the frame and collector on the roof 3 weeks ago and then plumbed it up over the next couple of weeks, I finally got around to putting the tubes in today, I am hoping someone will say it is just condensation inside the collector cover that has built up over the last weeks while the system has been filled and pressurised.

At the moment I can’t see a drop in pressure.

I am guessing that if there is a leak it will get worse when hot?
Am I worrying about nothing?

[sjaglin]

Hi,

Well done for the install. I think only time will tell you, indeed the pressure will drop if there is really a leak. Next few days shouldn't be too bad weather-wise so I suspect you'll have to do some observing!

Stef

[wookey]

Probably just water that got in to the insulation whilst there were no tubes fitted. Not sure how easily it will get back out again now all the tubes are fitted - the manifold casing is supposed to be waterproof.

[mr_fid]

I hope so. i dont fancy taking all the tubes out to replace it.

[guydewdney]

is that heat paste on the edge of the rubber cup / glass tube outer?

[Antman]

Looks like it GD 

Mr-Fid - the heat paste is only of benefit over the copper bulb of the heat pipe as this is what conducts the heat into the manifold.

Another possibility is that you may have a seepage past the olive on the 22mm elbow. Because you have sealed the pipe and fitting joint to the manifold end plate so well, the 'leak' can only go along the copper tube into the manifold - and then out of the casing. But this might also manifest as a leak inside the roof as the water could also creep along the inside of the pipe lagging down into the roof.
You will certainly notice a pressure drop over a couple of days.

Antman

[mr_fid]

There is loads of heat paste on the copper bulb, there is just a small smear on the ends of the tube as it helps insertion? maybe should have used a different grease for that?

I dont think the fitting is leaking, it was filled and pressurised for over a week and there wasn't a problem.

I will let you know if the pressure drops. I am hopeing for a nice sunny day then all may be clear?

[mr_fid]

It looks like i do have a leak, in two days i have lost 0.2 bar.

And tonight when i pumped it up again i can see the drip again.
Any suggestions?

[Brandon]

I would second antman, look at the compression on the manifold.

[Ivan]

compression joints sometimes start to leak after they've had chance to expand/contract a bit - so I'm guessing that's what's happened

[Procrastinator]

If access is a problem, or you don't want to tamper with it you could try Fernox F4 leak sealer.

(http://www.fernox.com/?cccpage=leak_sealer_ls_i&sub=4)

I put it in my system, which started to leak on the roof after running for around four months, over winter. When the temperatures started to get higher in the early spring I noticed a leak like yours, so added it and it appears to have done the job so far.

[mr_fid]

Thanks for all your replies.
I managed to get on the roof after work and got the insulation of the elbow, and it looks like you are correct the elbow started to leak once the tubes were in place. I will drain down and refit on sunday when i have the time!
On the positive side today was the first really sunny day and i am pleased to say i had a full cylinder of hot water when i came home at 7!

[Rhea View]

One easy way to cover the armaflex insulation on the elbow. Easy to get off when you need to - and stops the birds eating it. 

[tomtom]

Neat solution with the downpipe bend - did you cut it open lengthways to get it round the pipe and then glue/silicone back together?

[Rhea View]

Hi Tomtom

I cut right through the inside bend of the elbow close to one edge. On the other side edge (also inside of the bend), I cut right through again, apart from the last 8mm (left uncut). This acts as a hinge that you can bend away to stuff over the insulation. Afterwards, you just bend it closed again and hold the flap back down in position with cable ties. A final bit of silicon seal around the joints etc - when that's dry, you can cut the cable ties off. The two pieces of straight downpipe have just got a single cut (right through) as they are fairly easy to bend open over the insulation. Where the downpipe meets the lead flashing, I left a small gap in the silicon for any water that may get in to drain out again.

Hope this all makes sense!