Thu, 21 May 2026 07:02:25 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=74883#Comment_74883 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=74883#Comment_74883 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:46:24 +0000 GreenPaddy
- circ pump on the return from my therm store (to the collector)
- small breaktank on the flow side (in roof void, after collector outlet)
- check valve on flow to therm store (close to the therm store)
- temp probes/controls (already fairly well sorted for these I think)

Would appreciate comments as to problems with drain back types; am I over simplifying? Are there examples of these on the web that I could steal the design from (I mean pay all duely deserved royalties).

Have read about the trickle back noise, but think I could overcome this.

Thanks, GreenPaddy.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=74901#Comment_74901 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=74901#Comment_74901 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:25:24 +0000 tychwarel
ps you will still need a corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze.

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=74930#Comment_74930 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=74930#Comment_74930 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:27:44 +0000 crusoe
I have used Filsol a number of times. Good kit, robust, modular and simple, but not your usual flat panel. Performance approaching ET, but with a 30 year life.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75026#Comment_75026 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75026#Comment_75026 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:46:52 +0000 bella
Installers (two I have approached) don't seem to like drainback and don't offer it. Is it a lot more taxing to get the "draining" right than in a standard system?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75040#Comment_75040 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75040#Comment_75040 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:50:05 +0000 Jeff B https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75052#Comment_75052 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75052#Comment_75052 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:55:52 +0000 unguided1 Apart from that everything is working well .]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75085#Comment_75085 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75085#Comment_75085 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:50:53 +0000 tychwarel
As soon as the controller switches the circulation pump on. It pumps water from this tank into the panel where it then circulates to the hot water tank /thermal store.

If the system is running properly you wouldn't notice it draining back.

The principal reason for the Fernox is a corrosion inhibitor but in the event your roof space freezes it makes sense for it to be an antifreeze as well.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75128#Comment_75128 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75128#Comment_75128 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:59:28 +0000 Jeff B
So as soon as the circulation pump stops then, the fluid drains back into the insulated tank in the loft. If I ever knew that, then I have forgotten it! Hence as you say I haven't noticed the system draining back because presumably it is all working normally.

As an aside, whereabouts in South Wales are you? We are in Pembs.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75133#Comment_75133 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75133#Comment_75133 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:29:14 +0000 tychwarel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75158#Comment_75158 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75158#Comment_75158 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:01:57 +0000 john_connett
PAW produce an interesting drainback system, curiously named DrainBloC, which can be used with either panels or evacuated tubes.

At the risk of stating the obvious, more care has to be taken with levels and pipework than with a fully filled system to ensure that it really does drain back!

At least one panel manufacturer notes that their panel "is not intended to be used in drain-back systems". So some care may be needed in choosing suitable equipment.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75168#Comment_75168 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5358&Focus=75168#Comment_75168 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:18:15 +0000 John B
When the pump isn't running, all the water is in the drainback tank, so there is no water the the panel or pipework.

When the pump starts, the water in the drainback tank is circulated.

When the pump stops, all the water drains back into the drainback tank.

We never used any additives in the water, unless it wasn't possible to have the entire pipe run sloping downhill.

This was a few years ago, so I don't know if the current systems are the same.]]>