I have a rubber solar panel system to heat my swimming pool.
A few of the small rubber tubes have cracked and are leaking. Anyone out there know how to go about repairing them? I did a google search and found only one instance which described this problem and the possible fix (using flexible tubing - not detailed on the repair procedure). I would prefer to use an adhesive if there were one that could withstand the heat being generated by direct sunlight and the chemicals in the water passing through the repair joint.
Silicone RTV sealant will satisfy the waterproof, temperature, and flexibility and with the right brand will not be effected by sunlight (see label) but if your system is pressurized it might not be strong enough to resist leaks.
Perhaps you can insrt a rigid tube (metal, glass, plastic) inside the rubber tube and clamp onto that surface. If tight enough, no sealant would be needed.
Considering the service years of the system, you may be right. I'll try repairing the few that are leaking (only one of the panels is affected) and see what happens.
They are 12 years old. This is the first season I've had leaks. I suppose the leaks sprung because of exposure to the elements over the years (I'm located in the northeast).
Installing solar panels for pool today and dropped the drill on it as it slid down my roof put a hole in the black panel about inch or less. Any ideas on how to repair?
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Call the manufacturer customer service and ask them. They know what the material is and repair will probably be similar to some of their fabrication techniques. Your dealer could also be a source for repair materials.
A piece of clear Acryic and Dow automotive silicone sealant for plastic? I mention clear because it will expand and contract the same as the panel so it should hold bond longer. Auto stores sell the sealant, Dow`s site would show which product to use. Contact the manufacturer.
I think a lot would depend on the type of panel. Ours consist of a 2" header at the top and bottom, with 1/4" X 12' tubes connecting the top and bottom headers. The tubes are joined in a black matrix of the same material, which is ABS. The panels have occasionally leaked. Typically, it's where the 4' long headers are joined by a flexible sleeve and clamps. At other times, it's where one of the 1/4" tubes enters a header and a couple times it was in the 1/4" tube itself.
For the 1/4" tubing leaks, the answer is to cut the tube off at the top and bottom header and remove about 2" on each end to gain access to the entry hole in the headers. Then, take a stainless steel pan head sheet metal screw, covered liberally in black silicone sealer, and screw it into the hole in both the top and bottom headers. Let it sit for a couple hours for the silicone to set, and when pressure is returned the leak will have disappeared. While you will have lost the heat gain capacity of that particular tube, there are still all the others remaining to do the heating.
One friend was shooting a pigeon on his roof and accidentally nailed the upper header by mistake with a .177 pellet. I suggested the same cure for this hole as for a bad tube, and it worked.
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