Chromagen 300L Solar Boost Questions & Answers

I got rid of the entire system and put instantaneous gas. Didn’t notice any serious difference in running costs

The moment you get the unit touched by a third party, Chromagen will relinquish all warranty on the product. The risk is too much compared to what you will lose on the call out fee. If you want the unit functioning like it was meant to and it bothers you that the solar panels are not being utilised, then you are better off forking the callout fee. These guys will not bat an eyelid to pull a scam on you, so be extra careful when they are onsite.

Thanks Kiran. Mine is just passed 5 years so I wonder if there will be any warranty. A plumber came, spotted the pump had corroded. Advised don't bother fixing. About to decomission every part of the solar components and run with instant gas heating. Supply and usage $400 total cost for gas per year. If the instant heater goes, I will get everything decommisioned and replace with another instant gas heater quoted replace/install $1500.

You may just bypass the water going to the panels and continue using gas boosted hot water. The gas boosted component will not give way too soon, so eventually when it does you could get everything decommissioned and go for an instant gas heater. Why bother touching the installation when the pump is corroded and not pumping water to the panels anyways.

Mine was 7 years when it sprung a leak. When i removed the pipe from the collectors the steel fitting in the tank was completely full of rusty sludge which would explain why the booster had been running when using hot water. Stay away from Chromagen

Hi leanne We too had creaking and banging sounds. Ours corrided at outlet at 4 and then 2yrs. I would suggest contacting chromogen service provider and getting full review of tank and all connections. Especially if less than 5 yrs and whilst still covered by warranty. Good luck. Susan

Hi Leanne I have not had that problem but have had corrosion with a solar panel that was just out of warranty 7years strongly recommend you contact chromagen now as they will not take any responsibility if out of warranty I had to replace both panels at my cost

Hi Leanne, As far as I am aware we have not had this issue. However I am curious as to where the creaking and banging sounds are coming from since we have had some rather mysterious creaking sounds coming from the roof space and have had occasional loud bangs and have not been able to identify the source.

The sounds seem to come from the roof, but I have also gone straight to the tank and can hear it quite loud there as well.

I'm not a gas plumber ...so can't answer your question.

It should have a valve fitted to each panel on a stand off pipe that will let a small amount of water out to keep hot water flowing into the panel to prevent it freezing in a frost. They advice I got from the plumbers is to bypass the solar panels in winter because these valves fail and then the panels freeze and split and have to be replaced. Mine started leaking water all the time and it turned out that it was the fittings leaking and they just needed tightening. Try tightening the fittings first and if that doesn't stop it the panel could be split. Good luck with it but we shouldn't have to rely on luck to have a functional hot water system.

Kate my system is a two year old 170 litre chromagen hot water solar syystem. Our water bill has gone up to 859 litres per day from under 300 (two people) Apparently the frost valve comes on and water pours out. The irony is that it didn't do this the first year. The plumber comes out and stipulates that this is what its designed to do. Another irony is that we live in rosebud- area designated by the maps as being frost free- temperature doesn't get below 0 degrees. 1 year warranty they say on parts. Strange company to deal with

Kate my system is a two year old 170 litre chromagen hot water solar syystem. Our water bill has gone up to 859 litres per day from under 300 (two people) Apparently the frost valve comes on and water pours out. The irony is that it didn't do this the first year. The plumber comes out and stipulates that this is what its designed to do. Another irony is that we live in rosebud- area designated by the maps as being frost free- temperature doesn't get below 0 degrees. 1 year warranty they say on parts. Strange company to deal with

I am not a plumber but if you are having water continually leaking from the overflow it normally indicates that the PTR valve is faulty. As it has been replaced I would go back to the plumber who replaced it as it should be covered under warranty. Intermittent water discharge is normal to release pressure in the tank and control excessive water temperature

Hi Bill, Thank you for your question. From the information you have provided it is clear that water has somehow penetrated the upper cap section of your tank. This would need to be further investigated by a qualified plumber to assess and address as to how water has penetrated this area. We encourage you to speak with our service team on 1300 367 565 to discuss your options in addressing this concern.

Kind regards,

Chromagen

I have contacted your service team who have contacted Quick Gas in Wangaratta, who are your agents for this region. I am yet to receive a reply, I have subsequently contacted the service team again who have sent an email to Quick Gas to contact me. Is there another agent/representative I can contact in this area.

Regards

Bill

What we found is that the Seal/s between the element (and thermostat, Anode etc) installed in and go thru "the flange" expand and contract with the heating and cooling and started to weep water (under the black cap) It shorted out the whole system. and in turn rusted everything badly (2 1/2 years old) Bit of a surprise really as who would have thought a HWS would heat and cool! (Derr) It was just a matter of nipping up the little bolts that hold the Element and thermostat etc and it stopped the leak (TURN THE POWER OFF FIRST!) Further the chromagen contractor said the bolts holding in the flange were ok, and would easily undo when required, Note he's full of $^*# I've worked on farms and machinery most of my life If those bolts don't shear off or strip when touched I'll' eat my shorts!!

Hi Barry, The discharge you speak of would more than likely be water expelling from the safety device, referred to as a frost valve. Water released from this device is normal operation as the frost valve is an included safety feature designed to allow water displacement within the system to prevent the internal copper tubing from freezing during frosts. If water continues to discharge in temperatures above 10°C, please contact our service team on 1300 367 565 for further assistance.

Kind Regards,

Chromagen