leaking solar thermal

[Danv44444]

Hi Guys, I have installed a borilla solar thermal east and west split system at home and have filled the system to 2 bar with glycol but I keep getting really small leaks on a few of the compression joints. I have tried remaking the joints but after a few days the leaks re appear. The system is not up and running yet it's just filled. I'm wondering if the leaks will go when it's running or if there's anything else I can try? Has anyone else had this problem? Cheers guys

 

[townfanjon]

Dan, long shot mate , have you used brass olives ?

 

[Danv44444]

Thanks for the reply Jon. I can't remember to be honest but there's 1 leak on a fitting with an olive and the other two don't have olives there fibre washers 1 on the pump station itself and one on the return connection to the pump station. It's really doing by head in. I'm wondering if the heat when the system is running will sort them out. I've not had any experienced with solar before but I've never really had trouble repairing leaks. I've used jet blue on the joints too. It's like glycol finds leaks much easier

 

[townfanjon]

I have had mine in a few years now so i cant remember the connections on the pumping station, but i do know that all olives should be brass, the 3/4 washers must be for solar, i may have some if you need them .

 

[Danv44444]

Cheers for the offer Jon but I've got loads of washers that came with the kit. I think I might just have to wait until it's up and running which will be the end of next week and then see if they stop leaking. I really hope they do.

 

[PhoenixServices]

You used paste on the olive or ptfe?

 

[Danv44444]

Just paste

 

[PhoenixServices]

I was taught to use ptfe with olives on solar.

 

[Worcester]

We see it a lot on older systems, ours don't tend to
On the pump station connect with high temperature O rings to seal the comp/ bsp fitting to the pump station(not the usual make iron, it's one designed to tale O rings)
On the compression joints, brass olives; ptfe is not up to the task it's not rated for it, we use a special high temperature paste not the usual jet blue as that and boss white are equally not up to the task.

There again we never use any tape on compression fittings even in 'normal' work

 

[markfxy]

You can use boss white on steam so its more than up to the task for solar, Jet blues ok as well it's always a good idea to run the system let it cool and retighten all comp fittings athough it's not always possible if you want to be in and out the same day.

 

[Danv44444]

You can use boss white on steam so its more than up to the task for solar, Jet blues ok as well it's always a good idea to run the system let it cool and retighten all comp fittings athough it's not always possible if you want to be in and out the same day.

Thanks for your reply, the solar is up and running well now and the leaks have sealed themselves. I had to tighten them a little bit but there fine now. It was a bit strange though because I'd tighten them one day and then they seemed to loosen up a bit over night

 

[Worcester]

It was a bit strange though because I'd tighten them one day and then they seemed to loosen up a bit over night

Standard effect of expansion and contraction , especially if the day was very sunny, with over 150°C being the stagnation point.