Premium Quality Solar Pool Heating Systems
EcoOnline™ specializes in super efficient solar DIY pool heating systems. The OKU solar pool heating panels with their open water channels, a low pressure drop, turbulent water flow and exceptional thermal conductance characteristics - form the heart of the EcoOnline™ system. These premium quality panels are made in Germany by OKU with an expected lifetime of 25+ years in the Australian sun. They are made from ultra durable (UV stabilized) potable grade HMW-HDPE with a minimum 2-3mm wall thickness. Accessories are made from the most durable of materials, such as silicon and stainless steel - all of which forms an unbeatable combination of efficiency, quality and longevity.
Importance of Panel Efficiency in Cooler Weather
Traditional tubular collectors work okay in hot weather (and various manufacturers will play up hot weather performance) however, due to the spherical and almost fin like surfaces they struggle in cooler/windy conditions predominantly in the season extension months: spring and autumn when you need them the most to extend your season. OKU panels - originally designed for the cooler German climate are optimized for, and work better than these traditional systems in cooler seasons. As such they typically require substantially less area than traditional rubber mat systems to effectively extend your swimming season. Consider the following design comparison during cooler conditions:
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| Innovative OKU Large Open Channel Design | Traditional Spaced Narrow Tube Design |
 Near flat (full sun exposed) surface - minimizes surface radiative and cool air conductive loses |
 Spherical exposed surfaces - more (shaded) area increases radiative loses and cool air conductive loses |
| Lower wind permeability - minimizes cool air convective loss |
Higher wind permeability* - increases cool air conductive loses |
| Turbulent water flow - effective water mixing - heat is stripped from the surface more efficiently minimizing loses |
Laminar water flow - does not mix water well - collector surface remains warmer increasing surface loses in cooler air |
| Large open channels - fast water flow rates - heat is stripped faster minimizing collector surface loses |
Narrow channels - decreased flow rate - warmer collector surface - higher heat loses or higher pump energy usage |
A large open channel collector, with little to no air gaps and turbulent water mixing is simply a better design and is closer to the maximum theoretical efficiency limit for unglazed, uninsulated polymer panels. Our recommendation when replacing a system is to use 2/3rds the area of your old rubber collector mat system. When sizing a new system we recommend 50% coverage of your pools water area, however to accurately determine the number of panels you'll need to size your system using our interactive sizing calculator.
Compare General Features
| Compare Features | OKU Open Channel Panels | Traditional Tubular Rubber Mat |
| Roof Space Requirements | Requires Less Space |
Uses More Space |
| Needs Periodic Winter Flushing | Not Required |
Required |
| Pumping Energy Usage | Lower |
Higher |
| Potable Polymers | Yes |
No |
| Cockatoo Proof | Yes |
No |
| Animal Proof | Yes |
Depends? |
| Hail Proof | Yes |
Depends? |
| Connection Seals | Clamped Silicon Joiners | Unclamped Plastic Barbs |
| Connection Clamps | Stainless Steel | None or Plastic |
| Roof Attachment Means | Stainless Steel Straps | Silicon Glue |
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Collector Panels Features
What's Included in Our systems
Collector Specifications
Dontek AquaSun2 Controller Specifications
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How Many Panels Will I Need?
| Our recommendation is to use 2/3rds the area of your old rubber collector mat system. When sizing a new system we recommend 50% coverage of your pools water area as a first approximation. Water Area (m²) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Pool Shape Factor However, for more accurate sizing please use our interactive sizing calculator. There are a number of specific factors that may need to be taken into consideration. For more information the manual can be downloaded from our EcoOnline download page. |
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Warranty
EcoOnline™ offers the following Warranties on system components:
- 5 year return to base limited Warranty on OKU collectors
- 2 year Dontek controller warranty
FAQs
Q. How many panels do I need?
A. Please use our interactive sizing calculator to accurately size your panel needs, if you have any difficulty please contact us. Note: we frown upon the practice of selling you more panels than what you actually need for your heating goals - to back our smaller sizing recommendation we provide a panel sizing guarantee.
Q. I was sized a much larger rubber mat system - why is your panel area recommendation smaller?
A. Besides the increased efficiency in cooler weather during critical season extension months - we absolutely frown upon the industry practice of selling you a larger system. The Australian Standard 3634-1989 for sheltered pools only recommends 60% (rubber strip) coverage in southern regions, 50% for mid regions, and 40% for northern regions. Over-sizing a system will result in polymer collectors stagnating at detrimental temperatures of up to 80?C for longer periods during hot days when the controller shuts the system down. As such over sizing reduces collector lifetimes, requires a larger pump and higher upfront costs – all for diminishing gains in water temperature. If you require higher temperatures beyond our maximum collector recommendation we recommend a solar blanket.
Q. Can I undersize my system and upgrade as needed later?
A. Yes, but only to an extent. You should not go far below our minimum 2 month extension recommendation, see our interactive sizing calculator. No - we are not trying to sell you a larger system. 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 panels; hence an undersized system may not handle the flow required which could over-pressurize panels or if the flow is insufficient, will result in an unmixed stratified layer warm water which will cool excessively overnight.
Q. What is the freight cost to my postcode?
A. Please use the shipping calculator in the listing. Simply enter your postcode and the correct number of panels to ship. We will use this cost on the invoice.
Q. Can I use my existing controller and main power pump?
A. 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 it has the potential to limit panel life times due to large pressure fluctuations in the panels. EcoOnline (and OKU) only recommends typically 0.3HP to 0.5HP pumps for small 8 to 30 panel systems.
Q. Can I use my filter pump and save electricity by not installing a second pump?
A. 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 reducing filter flow, hence there is no free energy gained. Besides this we don’t recommend running a high power filter pump for 6 hours per day for the solar side (potentially over pressurizing 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.
Q. Do we have installers?
A. At present unfortunately no we do not have installers.
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. Installation on tiles is more difficult and we recommend should only be attempted by experienced DIY or trades persons.
Q. Can I slow the flow to increase the temperature gain?
A. No, this is a common misconception. Slowing the water flow will result in a warmer outlet but also less harvested energy overall since there is much less warm water flowing. This is because the panel is being made to work at a higher temperature and hence a lower efficiency. Faster flow rates better strip the heat from the panels (up to a point of diminishing benefit). Optimal flow rate is achieved at 5L/min/panel. Over sizing flow rates beyond 10L/min/panel will not provide more heating but can have a detrimental effect on the panels due to over-pressurization depending on the back pressure determine by the number and size of the eyelet returns to your pool.
Q. Can I order a manual system?
A. Yes, simply request that we remove the Dontek controller - $275.
Safety Requirements
- 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.
- 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 or D, or on houses situated on top of hills exposed to strong winds, or on second story (or higher) 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 Legionaries bacteria build up.
Wind Region Roof Installation Guide
| Wind Region A | Wind Region B | Wind Region C | |
| Single Story Metal Roof Install | Okay |
Okay |
Sheltered Location Only |
| Single Story Tile Roof Install | Okay |
Sheltered Location Only | Not Recommended |
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