|
 Helio-Flo is a solar water heating system designed for mild climates with good water quality.
This design is efficient and lowers operating costs but is inappropriate if your water is hard or acidic because scale and corrosion quickly disable the system.
Where water is hard and might reduce collector efficiency with deposits, or where freezing is a regular and serious concern, the Helio-Pak system is recommended for full protection.
Helio-Flo is an open-loop system because it uses pumps to circulate household water through the collectors.
 |
Solar Water Heater Benefits
|
- Saves you money - Reduces your monthly utility costs
- Saves the environment - Reduces fossil fuel consumption
- Adds value to your home - Recapture the initial cost of the system by creating equity in your home
|
System Includes
|
- Gobi collector(s)
- Blind unions
- Flush mounting hardware
- Helio-Flo HF R-35 pump (85W)
- DTT differential control
- Sensors
- Dole dribble valve
- SCV .75 check valve
Helio-Flo Systems include the attractive highly efficient Gobi collectors to collect solar radiation. Flush or Rack mounting hardware to install the Gobi collectors on a sloped or flat roof or on the ground. Blind Union end pieces for capping off and connecting Gobi collector plumbing lines. Helio-Flo R pump and control kit to be installed on the solar tank or water heater Two sensors to be installed on the Gobi and the storage. Dole freeze dribble valve.
Optional items: Storage tanks, rack kits, Helix PV, sensor wire and Cal Code Kit consisting of a tempering valve, an air vent and a thermometer are recommended.
Other materials needed for an installation of this simple system is piping (usually copper) and pipe insulation, possible isolation valves, miscellaneous hardware and sealant.
|
Optional Items
|
Optional Rack Kits
Tilt-up kits for ground or roof include front shoes with Helio-Clips, rear variable legs with shoes, Helio-Clips, all hardware to assemble and attach to Gobi collectors.
Rack kit for collector model 3366 (3.5 x 7.5) tilts 20º - 60º
Rack kit for collector model 408 (4 x 8) tilts 24º - 54º
Rack kit for collector model 410 (4 x 10) tilts 20º - 48º
Optional Storage Tank
Collectors must be accompanied by appropriately sized storage tank: 1.5 to 2.0 Gallons per square feet of Gobi Collector surface area.
Storage Tank Recommended Minimum Size:
• 40 gallons per Gobi 3366
• 50 gallons per Gobi 408
• 80 gallons per 2 Gobi 3366
• 65-80 gallons per Gobi 410
• 120 gallons per 2 Gobi 408 or 410 collectors
Helix PV Option
The grid independent Helio-Flo HX PV version derives all pumping from the entirely solar powered Helix PV Power Station, which attaches to the Gobi collector hot outlet and return piping without any control, sensors, wiring. Designed for small systems only, the HF HX PV system is extremely simple to install, major items are just one or two Gobi collector(s), mounting hardware, and Helix PV Pump Station.
|
Mild Climate Freeze Protection
|
Helio-Flo systems should be installed in non-freezing or mild climates only and are most durable in areas with good water quality. Mild protection is included. The collector sensor acts as freeze sensor and signals to the control to start the pump for a moment of circulation when temperatures drop to 41°F or less. Redundant freeze protection is provided with the Dole FP35 freeze dribble valve, which installs at Gobi hot return and requires a check valve.
|
Product Highlights
|
Skylight Good Looks
No unsightly storage on the roof, only the low profile attractive Gobi collectors with bronze anodized aluminum extrusion frames that are tapered for good looks and strength, and a non-glare solar glass cover.
For Home or Business
Heliodyne's Helio-Flo Solar Water Heaters are of simple and efficient design and are available in different sizes to accommodate small or large hot water uses. This active principle of water pumped thorough the solar collectors delivers more heat with fewer collectors. One of several attractive Gobi collectors are mounted on the roof, piping is connected from the collectors to the storage or water heater in the house or garage. A small low flow pump circulates the storage water through the collectors picking up heat for later household use. Its operation is fully automatic.
The Right Choice for Mild Areas
Install this system in all areas without freezing and where water quality is good. An option for mild freeze protection is available, which activates flow through the collector when temperatures drop. A dribble valve provides added protection. Where water is hard and might reduce collector efficiency with deposits, or where freezing is a regular and serious concern, the Helio-Pak system is recommended for full protection.
Highly Efficient
Helio-Flo pumped systems produce more hot water than passive systems, which transfer heat slowly. In addition, these systems use the very highly rated Gobi collectors. Any Helio-Flo system can therefore easily outperform even a larger alternative system.
Safety with Reduced Roof Load
Unlike systems which store solar heated water on the roof and may pose roof load and safety hazards, these Helio-Flo systems keep the heavy water on the ground. In fact, a helio-Flo system can be connected directly to a water heater or storage tank in a single or dual tank installation.
Packaged System
Small or large packaged Helio-Flo systems are available and include one or more Gobi collectors, easy mounting hardware, a small pump, differential control with two sensors and optional freeze protection, a solar storage tank can be added to the package, a Cal Code kit for safety consisting of a cold water mixing valve to avoid scalding, an air vent, and a thermometer to let you check the operation of the system.
Easy Hardware
Helio-Clips attach to the built-in Gobi mounting flange and make the transition to modular hardware for any tilt, whether Flush (parallel to a tilted roof) or Rack (for flat roofs or grounds), certified against high wind loads.
Simple Installation
The few components needed for this system assure simple and reliable operation. No roof reinforcement is required to receive the Gobi collectors and its smart hardware. Plumbing lines are quickly installed and connected to the pump and tank or water heater.
Unlike "passive", drain-down or drain-back systems, this system is totally versatile; the collectors can be installed above or below the tank, and the distance from one to the other is not critical.
Photovoltaic Option
This grid-independent Helio-Flo PV system is ideal for areas without freezing and with good water quality. Entirely powered by the sun, it features a solar electric (photovoltaic) panel which directly powers a 12V DC pump for efficient pick up and storage for later use of the heat generated in the Gobi solar collectors
|
Automatic Operation
|
The Helio-Flo pump and control kit features a DTT-94 differential temperature thermostat that integrates the readings of a sensor each on the Gobi collector and on the tank to start solar collection automatically when the Gobi is hotter then the tank, and stops when the tank is hot or the sun is obscured or has set.
Pumped systems Vs ICS or progressive tube systems
A pumped system operates faster than breadbox or thermosyphon systems with a tank above the collectors, by increasing the heat collection rate and transporting that heat in the Gobi to a tank with fewer losses. This type of system also allows the storage tank to be independent of the Gobi collector location and roof rafters do not need to be reinforced as with thermosyphon systems.
For example, the Gobi can be attached to a roof and the tank can be located on the ground floor or in a basement. Only a very small pump, using the power of a light bulb, is required to transport the heated water into the tank.
|
Mild Climate Freeze Protection
|
Helio-Flo systems should be installed in non-freezing or mild climates only and are most durable in areas with good water quality. Mild protection is included. The collector sensor acts as freeze sensor and signals to the control to start the pump for a moment of circulation when temperatures drop to 41°F or less. Redundant freeze protection is provided with the Dole FP35 freeze dribble valve, which installs at Gobi hot return and requires a check valve.
|
Collector Tilt and Storage
|
For domestic hot water, where the heating load is about the same for all months, the optimum angle is equal to latitude. However, the collector orientation is not critical. Deviations by as much as 15° have little effect on annual performance. It is therefore recommended to use tilt-up racks sparingly, and instead install “Flush”, parallel to a sloped roof whenever possible. However, in snow country, tilt will be steeper to allow the snow to slide off easily. Snow build-up between Gobi collectors can be prevented by sliding a width of sheet metal in the trim groove of the Gobi. Protect from the rear when using racking.
Appropriate size storage is important for optimal system efficiency and to minimize “stagnation”. The high-efficiency Gobi collectors therefore require storage of no less than 1.5 gallons per square foot of Gobi collector (40 gallons per Gobi 3366, 50 per Gobi 408, 65 gallons per Gobi 410). Very sunny climates require as much as 2 gallons per Gobi square foot. Exceptions are situations with heavy day usage, which creates storage.
Product Warranty: 5 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty
Product Manufacturer: Heliodyne, Inc.
|
