PoolMasterpro PVC Strip Solar Pool Heating System - Manual Kit

$1,176.30
SKU: PMP Kit Manual 16sqm
Condition: New
Availability: InStock
Weight: 60.00 KGS
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Manual Kit Listing

This listing is for pools that don't have independent solar suction and return lines and must have solar running through their main filter systems. If you have solar provisions, see "Independent" listings.

What's Included in This Listing

For Every 4m² Role of Collector Purchased

  • 1 x 14 Tube PoolMasterproTM Strip: 165mm x 25m role (4.13m²)
  • 2 x 14 Barb 500mm length manifold pipe
  • 1 x TREMsil 870 neutral cured silicone 300g tube - black

For Every Manual System Purchased

  • 1 x 40mm PVC non-return valve
  • 1 x 40mm PVC 3-way valve
  • 1 x Locking collar kit
  • 1 x Universal ALL stainless roof fixing set (band & pipe clamps)
  • 1 x VacRel vacuum relief valve
  • 1 x Pressure gauge

  • 14 x Straight joiner barb set
  • 1 x Drain down kit
  • 1 x Silicon lubricant spray
  • Comprehensive installation manual
  • Warranty from an Australian company
  • Unlimited technical support

For more information the manual can be downloaded from our EcoOnline download page.

What You'll Need for an Install

  • Assorted PVC pipe and fittings
  • Installation dependent small bits (see manual)

    Warranty

    EcoOnlineTM offers the following Warranties on system components:

    • 15 year Pro-rata Warranty on PVC strips

    See Terms and Conditions page for further details.


    EcoOnline PoolMasterproTM PVC Strip Solar Pool Heater

    Introducing our newest EcoOnline solar pool heater the PoolMasterproTM - incorporating one of highest tube density profile with the blackest premium and proven grade BASF® PVC nitrile compound - resulting in heating gains approaching the maximum theoretical possible for this type of strip heating collector.

    The PoolMasterproTM combines EcoOnline's continual low costs ethos for premium green products, with superb Australian product design and manufacture, premium materials, near universal versatility on Australian roofs, easy and well thought out installation procedure with a comprehensive DIY installation manual and expert technical assistance - which makes it easily your one and only choice for your next PVCu strip solar pool heating system.


    Solar Pool Heater Kit

    Advantages of the EcoOnline PoolMasterproTM PVC Strip

    Importance of Cooler Weather Efficiency

    Traditional well spaced PVC tubular collectors work okay in hot weather and various manufacturers will play up hot weather performance stats, however due to the large tube spacing they struggle in the cooler, windier spring and autumn shoulder months - which is exactly when you need heating the most! PoolMasterproTM PVC strips have one of the highest tube densities possible for spherical tubes and are specifically optimized to work better in these shoulder months than the well spaced tube strips. Consider the following design comparison during cooler windy spring and autumn conditions:

    Cool weather PoolMasterpro PVC Strip performance
    Cold weather issues with PVC strip collectors

    As can be seen dense tube spacings have substantial advantage over well space tubes in efficiency as well as durability due to the lower pressures. This would translate into higher performance in the cooler months or slightly lower collector area requirements. See below for sizing advice.

    † While still allowing some spacing for a locking collar.
    * Please note, UC SRCC Certification was carried out on the sister 10 tube product only, while we believe that the 14 tube system would clearly test better than the 10 tube system in efficiency and durability, in terms of claimable certified results we can only claim our 14 tubes are at least as good as the outstanding 10 tube SRCC results.

    System Advantages of the PoolMasterproTM Strip Solar Pool Heater

    Collector efficiency considerations are of course only one part of what you should consider when choosing a solar pool heater, consider the following further comparison between PoolMasterproTM strips and lesser PVC rubber tube type systems.

    Compare Features
    PoolMasterproTM strips
    Traditional Tubular / Rubber Mat
    US SRCC & Aus Standard Certification
    Yes
    No?
    Premium Grade BASF® Polymer
    Yes
    No?
    Pump Energy Usage
    Lower Usage
    Higher Usage
    Back pressure on Pumps
    Less Back pressure
    more Back Pressure
    Manifold to barb Connection
    Single Molded Piece
    Welded on or Grommet
    Made in Australia
    Yes
    Some
    Expert sizing Advice
    Yes
    Some
    Comprehensive Manual
    Yes
    Some
    Unlimited Technical Support
    Yes
    Some

    ... and if all that wasn't enough, know we actively monitor competitor pricing per sqm of tubing to be the cheapest online. We're Australia's largest online bulk supplier of solar pool heating systems and can't be beaten on price - if you find a better priced system please let us know we'll beat it!

    Getting a Cost Estimate

    1) Should I DIY or Use a Solar Pool Heating Company/Installer?

    Possibly the largest cost consideration is going to be whether or not you DIY or get a pool heating company or installer to quote on a complete system with installation. Due to the seasonal nature of the work this can get very expensive; depending on system size and the amount of plumbing required you can budgett about $1,000- to $3,000 just for labour and installer mark-ups on supplied components (and installers will push their components due to the marks ups they get). So is it worthwhile taking some time for a DIY project? We've seen and heard about a number of overpriced, shoddy, low quality component installs to say absolutely, if you are able to do it safely you should seriously consider DIY. You'll get the best quality components from us because we only sell the best and you have full control over how the system is installed. We supply extensive manuals to help and we're here to answer any technical questions you may have during installations. You'll end up owning a higher quality more reliable pool heating system for less money sometimes than inferior competing kits AND you'll have better quality install that you'll know how to service.

    Consider Quality of Work, Components and Roof Fixing Methods

    It's understandable why shoddy installs happen sometime; pool heating installations are seasonal, full-time installers wait around all year then all of a sudden they get bombarded with more jobs requests than they can handle so they feel they can charge an arm and a leg and be picky with their jobs. Companies and installers then need to take on part-time workers that may not be well trained, and they are rushed and under pressure to finish the job fast. If there are complications, installers have no motivation to take their time and do it properly to make sure the system will last as they are not paid by the hour. Most of the shortcuts they may use will tell many years down the track typically with no recourse for the consumer.

    An Important Note on Safety

    Having said all of that; you should only consider DIY if you're confident of performing the work safely. If you need to get up on a pitched two story roof and you are not 100% confident, best leave it to the professionals, as you should never underestimate the chance of a fall. If you can't DIY try to source a trusted installer - at the very least go with a company with good component and installation quality control standards.

    2) Sizing Your PoolMasterpro Solar Pool Heater

    Next you have to consider the size of the pool heating system required. When sizing a new system there are a number of factors to consider, but as a first rule of thumb we recommend 75% coverage of your pools water area for Northern Aus states and 100% coverage for Southern states. To work out the surface area of your pool simple multiply length x width in meters (see below for a trick in calculating the surface area of odd shaped pools).

    However, we strongly recommend you take advantage of our interactive sizing calculator. This calculator is based on minimum Australian Standard pool heating sizing and uses weather, sunlight hours per postcode, and installation specific factors to come up with the best possible sizing for your budgett.


    Professional Solar Pool Heating Sizing

    It's important to factor every aspect affecting a pool's temperature, as some pools can suffer from a number of cooling factors which are multiplicative; our calculator instantly assess:

    • Your postcode location
    • Roof pitch angle of the installed collectors
    • Roof facing compass direction
    • Your pools total water surface area
    • Whether or not the pool is sheltered from the wind
    • Shading on the pool during the shoulder months
    • Local / Regional weather factors
    • Whether it's an indoor or outdoor pool
    • Your roof type
    • Manual or Automatic system
    • Depth of solar suction ports
    • Color of pools wall surfaces and floor
    • Whether it's an in ground or above ground pool
    • And finally your budget and expectations

    Surface Area of More Complex Pool Shapes

    To work out the surface water area of odd shaped pools use the following trick:

    1. Measure the pool's edge to edge length.
    2. Draw an imaginary horizontal line cutting the top edge of the pool so that the dark blue shaded areas above the line are approximately equal to the red areas below the line. You can eyeball this quite accurately, then mark it.
    3. Now do the same for the bottom side, then finally measure the width distance between these two eyeballed lines.
    kidney shape pool water surface area sizing

    Alternatively, if you were happy with the level of heating your old PVC tube system produced and want the equivalent amount, use approximately 90% of the area, so for example if your old PVC tube system was 40sqm, use 36sqm of the PoolMasterproTM strip.

    3) System Plumbing Options

    Next thing to Consider what kind of plumbing system you want to set up. We always recommend Independent Systems, see definitions below or manual. These systems run a small independent pump, typically for 8 hours per day and are actually more energy efficient than systems running through the main filter pump which have to run the large filter pump for 8 hours per day just to pump the solar side. Of course independent systems require separate solar suction and return lines, whereas for older pool these might not have been installed. If that's the case you'll need to go with a plumbing configuration that taps into your existing filter return line to divert water to your roof. There are a few configurations that can be chosen, see below or manual. Most people that do not have independent solar suction and return ports will choose a Manual/Timer System and place the main filter pump on a timer to run during the warmest part of the day. These manual systems can be automated down the track. We have three class of listings:

    • "Automatic Kit" - can be used to set up an Independent System or Integrated-Independent System - includes a solar controller (pump sold separately)
    • "Manual Kit" - runs through the filter lines, can be used to set up a Manual/Timer System with a 3-way and non-return PVC ball valve (can be motorized/automated later)
    • or just collector "Replacement Kit" - for people that just need to replace their old PVC tube collectors on the roof

    If you need to set up a specialized system like for a Booster/Retro Fit System (requires AquaSmart 5 FS or CD controller) or the Motorized Ball Valve System (requires AquaSmart 5 AV controller), please contact us at EcoOnline.

    Independent solar pool heating plumbing configuration
    manual or motorized ball valve plumbing configuration
    integrated Independent plumbing configuration
    booster retrofit plumbing configuration

    4) Roof Mounting Options and Panel Specifications

    In terms of roof mounting strips are simply glued down on the roof. On tile roofs the manifolds are attached to a floating lattice of 316 stainless steel perforated band to keep the valleys clear and allowing for water flow under the manifolds. On tiles, manifold attachment points are created by firstly sliding a tile up then screwing a length of supplied 316 stainless steel band into the batten which will then protrude out under the tile, manifolds are then anchored to this protrusion, this allows movement while not requiring risky tile drilling/perforations. See manual for full description.

    PoolMasterpro Strip Dimension Specifications
    PoolMasterproTM Strip
    Specifications
    Collector Gross Area / Role
    4.4m²
    Aperture Area per / Role
    4.13m²
    Strip edge to edge Width
    165mm
    Strip edge to next edge (Width per role)
    350mm (400mm cut Manifold)
    Horizontal Array Length across Roof
    12.5m
    Manifold PVC pipe Size
    40mm PVC
    Manifold to Manifold Attachment
    40mm Glue Socket
    PVC Tube ID / OD
    6mm / 8mm
    Weight per 1m² Collector
    3.5 kg or 4.4kg with water
    flow rate range
    1-5L/min/m²
    Pressure drop at 5L/m/m²
    67kPa (9.7psi)
    Pressure drop at 2L/m/m2
    8.5kPa (1.2psi)
    Recommended working pressure
    20kPa (2.9psi)
    Frost resistant
    -20 to + 85°C
    Certifications
    AS 2369.2 1993, SRCC

    5) Available Extras (upon request)

    Specifications
    Extra parts

    Spare 14 Barb Joiner Set

    For installations where the strips run less than 12.5m across the roof and you need to splice together PVC strip offcuts.

    Spare Joiner barb set
    Spare 14 Barb Manifold Set

    For installations where the strips run less than 12.5m across the roof and you need to connect PVC strips offcuts to the main manifold pipe.

    Spare manifold

    6) Shipping Cost & ETA Estimate

    For a shipping estimate, use the above calculator or just add this listing to your cart and click "View Cart" at the top right of this page, then "Estimate Shipping" on the cart page. The shipping estimated time of arrival (ETA) can be checked on our shipping calculator here. We ship from Melbourne Victoria.

    6) Safety Requirements and Product Limitation Considerations

    • Warning: Due to the potential of falling from heights, mounting the solar collectors on a roof or structure at heights should only be undertaken by a professional installer, unless you are accustomed to and confident of performing the work safely.
    • PVC tube systems are not recommended for cockatoo prone areas.
    • Collectors cannot be installed below the waterline of the pool.
    • Top feed system configurations are not recommended for frost prone areas - use bottom feed only. See manual for a definition of "top feed system".

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q. How many sqm of collectors do I need?
    A. Please use our interactive sizing calculator to accurately size your collector area needs, if you have any difficulty please contact us. Note: we frown upon the practice of selling you more coverage than what you actually need for your heating goals - to back our sizing recommendations we provide a sizing guarantee.

    Q. Can I run the strips up/down the roof?
    A. Yes, for a flat pan style gal roof, however for better water flow and leaf clearance we recommend it sits on top of the valleys, hence runs across the roof.

    Q. I don't have enough length to fit a 12.5m strip run across the roof, what can i do?
    A. There are a number of options. Easiest is to snake the PVC strip up then back then again up and back to reduce the 12 length to 6m. However, we recommend you cut the strip and use more manifolds for the offcuts, as this will reduce the pressure and increase the flow. For example for a 6m run just cut the 25m strip in half, you'll then need double the amount of manifolds to connect up the spare offcuts. For a 9m run across the roof, just cut the strip at 18 meters, leaving 6m offcuts. Three of these offcuts can be sliced together to form another 18m length which can be connected to the main array using an extra manifold pair. See manual for full details.

    Q. Can I undersize my system and upgrade as needed later?
    A.
    No it's difficult to slice in an extra manifold section into the main manifold pipe once it's all glued up; it's best to size your system right the first time. There are very good reasons why a system should not be dramatically undersized. Effective heating requires a minimum daily turnover typically 50% of your pool water volume. However, there are flow limitations on strips; hence an undersized system may not handle the flow required which could over-pressurize strips if the flow is insufficient, will result in an unmixed stratified layer of warm water which will cool excessively overnight.

    Q. Can I use my existing controller and mains power pump?
    A. You can use your existing controller and pump if it’s in good working order and the correct size. We have pump sizing tables in our manual downloadable from our EcoOnline website download page.

    Q. Can I use a low energy usage variable speed pump?
    A. No, after witnessing customers try such pumps and struggle with them our advice now is not to use them, unless they can be set to run at a constant speed without a startup surge. We find variable pumps start at full power then taper back, this puts a lot of pressure fluctuations through the system on startup which could limit system lifetimes. We only recommend pumps that can pump at a constant set pressure.

    Q. I don't have independent solar lines installed on my pool can I tee into my main filter pump suction line?
    A.
    Generally we don't recommend this as you may have priming issues with your main filter pump during startup due to air been drawn in from the solar line tee you installed. Whether your filter pump will deprime in this case will depend on how far below the waterline you installed the solar tee. Note, a non-return on the solar line will not help here as non-returns are not generally air tight over time. If you do not have independent solar lines and can't install the tee far below the water line (minimum say 1m below) then your options are a manual system, a booster system or a motorized ball valve option, see manual for plumbing diagrams.

    Q. Do we have installers?
    A.
    At present unfortunately no we do not have installers as we ship around Australia. However, our manuals are very comprehensive and cover most situations and issues. There is also unlimited tech support available. Most handymen/tradespeople can install our systems. From what we hear, solar pool heating installs are very seasonal, hence most specialist pool heating installers are run off their feet during the install season, this means they charge an arm and a leg for poor rushed installs. Our advice is if you can DIY safely or source a trusted installer that will take his/her time, you will save a great deal of money and headaches.

    Q. Can I download your comprehensive manual before I purchase?
    A. Yes, in fact we highly recommend you check over the manual to get a good idea of installation requirements before you purchase. The manual can freely be downloaded from our EcoOnline download page.

    Q. Is this system easy to install for tiles?
    A. Yes the system is easy to install for a relatively experienced DIY or tradespersons. (Please note safety notice when climbing up on a roof.)

    Q. Can I slow the flow to increase the temperature gain?
    A. No, this is a common misconception. Slowing the water flow dramatically may result in a warmer outlet, but will also result less harvested energy overall as collectors are being made to work at a higher temperature and hence a lower efficiency point. Faster flow rates better strip the heat from the tubes (up to a point of diminishing benefit); max flow rate for 25m loop lengths is 5L/min/m². Oversizing flow rates beyond 5L/min/m² is only possible if you double the number of manifolds and use 12.5m loops lengths, as this will significantly drop the pressure loss across the array allowing for greater flow up to 10L/min/m². This will increase the thermal efficiency of the collectors by ~5% at the expense of more electrical usage. On the other hand, we promote the "eco-flow" concept of decreasing flow rate to save on electricity at the expense of a slight collector loss which can be made up by increasing the collector area. If you're interested in this kind of system, we have produced an interactive online calculator that simulates flow rates and their impact on collector efficiencies and electrical savings.