Independent Automatic Kit Listing
This solar pool heating kit includes an independent controller, it suits pools that have independent solar suction and return ports installed.
What makes these Performance+ panels so good?
See the OverviewWhat's Included in This Listing
For every automatic system purchased
- 1 x Dontek AquaSun2+ independent controller
- NEW! Angled warming plate and insulation layer
- 40mm hose to 32mm PVC glue socket adapters
- Fast opening vacuum release valve and pressure gauge
- Comprehensive installation manual (download)
- Warranty from an Australian company
- Unlimited phone technical support
For every OKU panel purchased
- Reinforced silicon joiner set
- All stainless steel band clamp set
- PVC coated 316 stainless steel strap set
- Stainless steel perforated band set
What You'll Need for an Install
- Solar mains pool pump (0.3hp, 0.5hp or 0.75hp) - size your pump here
- Aluminium angle to mount collectors
- Solar roof hooks (for tiles; contact us for sizing)
- Assorted PVC pipe and fittings
- Installation dependent small bits (see manual)
Dontek AquaSun2+ Controller Specifications
- Sophisticated pump control combined with simple user operation
- Easy to install
- Adjustable temperature differential
- Manual and Winter mode
- 2 Year Warranty + 1 year EcoOnline extended
- Australian Made
Warranty
EcoOnline™ offers the following warranties on system components:
- 35 year return to base limited warranty on OKU collectors
- 2 year Dontek controller warranty + 1 year EcoOnline extended
See Terms and Conditions page for further details.
For more information the manual can be downloaded from our EcoOnline download page.
Add to your order
Available Extras
Installing on a tile roof? Ask us to size the number of solar roof hooks required.
Planning on installing rows longer than 12 OKU panels? You'll need expansion joiners to limit the contraction collectors experience overnight.
Installing an odd number of rows? You'll need an add-on panel to finish the array.
Need Wind Category B & C fixings? You can find them here.
Got a skylight you can't cover and need to bridge a row? Buy 4 barbs and two extra joiner sets to create a bridge using 32mm PVC line.
Need an extra non-return valve or 3-way valve? Find them here.
Need a controller with a different feature set? Request a changeover from the AquaSun2+.
Before you buy
Roof Mounting
Please make sure you have a plan for mounting. Panels are strapped down around their 40mm header pipes to aluminium channels (not supplied) top and bottom using the 6 supplied 316 stainless metal straps. The aluminium channels on metal roofs need to be fixed down by screwing through into battens or rafters. Tile installations are more involved using solar roof hooks that are screwed into rafters and have a protruding external under tile arm/hook that holds the aluminium channels top and bottom of the panels on the roof. See the manual for a full description.
Panel Specifications
| Dual Header OKU Panel | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Gross Area (as mounted) | 1.2 m² |
| Aperture Area (black area) | 1.1 m² |
| Panel Edge to edge length | 1370 mm |
| As mounted Edge to edge Length | 1400 mm |
| Panel Pipe to pipe width | 845 mm |
| Absorber edge to edge width | 824 mm |
| Dual Header Pipe OD | 40 mm metric |
| Interconnect Pipe OD | 25 mm metric |
| Flow rate range | 2–10 L/min/m² |
| Water content | ~6 L |
| Panel Weight | 6 kg (or 12 kg with water) |
| Recommended working pressure | -1 to 1 psi |
| Frost resistant | −20 to +115 °C |
| Certifications | SRCC |
Roof fixing
Wind Loading Considerations
In terms of wind loadings on panels our roof fixing methodology is the highest in its class up to wind region C. See the manual for a full description. We like to take a cautious over-engineered approach to wind loadings and suggest installers do the same as it's very easy to put down more fixings. However, there are some cases where we can't recommend panels over tubes due to high wind loadings (if in doubt please ask). As a guide please note the following recommendations:
| Wind Region | Single Storey Metal Roof | Single Storey Tile Roof | Double Storey Metal | Double Storey Tile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Region A | ✓Okay | ✓Okay | ✓Okay | ✓Okay |
| Wind Region B | ✓Okay | Sheltered Location Only | ✓Okay | ✗Not Recommended |
| Wind Region C | Sheltered Location Only | ✗Not Recommended | ✗Not Recommended | ✗Not Recommended |
| Wind Region D | ✗Not Recommended | ✗Not Recommended | ✗Not Recommended | ✗Not Recommended |
Before you buy
Safety Requirements and Product Limitations
- Warning: Due to the potential of falling from heights, mounting the solar panels on a roof or structure at heights should only be undertaken by a professional solar panel installer, unless you are accustomed to and confident of performing the work safely.
- For ground level collectors the installer MUST check child safety fence regulations in the relevant state. Under no circumstances should collectors be installed so as to compromise the effectiveness of a child pool or spa fence safety barrier by providing a climbable object.
- At present this collector array system is not recommended for installations in cyclonic regions C (sheltered only) or D, or on houses situated on top of hills exposed to strong winds, or on second storey (or higher) roofs due to the danger of getting up on these roofs. Installations on tiles are for Wind Region A only.
- Collectors are to be used with chlorinated (or otherwise treated) pool water ONLY. Do not use collectors to heat fresh (untreated) water due to the potential for Legionella bacteria build up.
- We recommend collectors be installed with a minimum 2 degree pitch to ensure reliable evacuation of air bubbles.
- Collectors must be installed such that they drain fully in hot weather - collectors must not be installed below the waterline of the pool.
- This independent system requires dedicated solar suction and return lines going into your pool.
Gallery of Parts
Gallery of Installations
FAQs
Sizing and Install Questions
What size system should I use?+
It really depends on your pool's heat loadings, your usage and your budget. For a quick size, use the quick-size calculator on our OKU automatic kits page. Alternatively, for a professional sizing try our full online sizing calculator. If you're not sure what water temperatures your system will produce during various months, use our pool water temperature simulator.
How large are the panels?+
You should budget a gross panel dimension of approx. 140cm in length and 85cm in pipe to pipe width or about 1.2m² per panel.
Can I use my existing controller and mains power pump?+
You can use your existing controller if it's in good working order - however pressure pumps that power rubber mat systems are typically too strong for these panels. Over-sizing the pump not only uses more electricity but has the potential to limit panel lifetimes due to large pressure fluctuations in the panels. EcoOnline (and OKU) only recommends typically 0.25HP to 0.5HP pumps for small 8 to 30 panel systems.
Can I use my filter pump and save electricity by not installing a second pump?+
It is a false economy to use a large filter pump for solar applications - the pump still has to expend energy to pump water to the roof, putting back pressure on the pump reducing filter flow, hence there is no free energy gained. Besides this we don't recommend running a high power filter pump for 8 hours per day for the solar side (potentially over pressurising panels) if you don't need to filter for that long. An independent system with a well matched small pump will save you money in running costs and look after your panels in the long run.
Can I use a low energy usage variable speed pump?+
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 start up surge. We find variable pumps start at full power then taper back, this puts a lot of pressure fluctuations through the panels on start up which could limit panel lifetimes. We only recommend pumps that can pump at a constant set pressure.
I don't have independent solar lines installed on my pool can I tee into my main filter pump suction line?+
Generally we don't recommend this as you may have priming issues with your main filter pump during start up due to air being 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 the manual for plumbing diagrams.
Is this system easy to install for tiles?+
Installation on tiles is more difficult and we recommend it should only be attempted by experienced DIY or tradespersons.
Expert support
Talk to an Expert
We're here to help with sizing, plumbing and installation questions.
Gregory Grochola (Physicist and Pool Heating Expert)
