The Vaillant auroFLOW plus is a solar system designed for solar heating support or hot water generation, primarily for use in solar systems with Vaillant solar collectors auroTHERM (VFK 135 VD and VFK 140 VD). This product functions as a heat generator in a hot water heating installation with a buffer cylinder, capable of covering basic and peak heat demands. It can be integrated with various heat generators like heat pumps, block heating and generating plants, and gas boilers. The system is designed to work with Vaillant ready-mixed solar fluid and operates without being completely filled or under pressure, eliminating the need for components like expansion vessels, pressure gauges, and air vents found in other solar systems.
Function Description
The auroFLOW plus solar system operates on a unique principle where the solar circuit is not under pressure and not completely filled with solar fluid when the solar pump is idle. Instead, the solar fluid collects in a storage tank, and the collector field and solar lines are filled with air. All solar lines are installed with downward gradients to ensure the solar fluid flows back to the solar charger. When the solar control activates the solar pump, solar fluid is pumped from the storage tank through the solar return into the collector field. The fluid is heated in the collectors and then flows back to the solar charger via the solar flow pipe.
During the initial filling phase, the solar pump operates at maximum power, pushing solar fluid into the collector field and forcing air out. The heated solar fluid and air mixture then passes through the solar flow pipe to a heat exchanger in the solar charger, which transfers heat to the heating water in the buffer cylinder charging circuit. After a specified filling time, the solar control reduces the pump output. The system's enclosed air acts as an expansion vessel, accommodating the expansion of solar fluid and air as the system heats up. An expansion relief valve (7) protects the system from overpressure.
The integrated microprocessor-controlled solar control regulates the system based on a differential temperature control principle. It activates the solar pump when the temperature difference between the collector (T5) and cylinder (T6) temperature sensors is at least 15 K, provided the cylinder temperature is below the set maximum. The solar pump deactivates when the maximum cylinder temperature is reached, solar radiation is below 250 W, or a fault occurs. The solar control also features an annual calendar for automatic adjustment between summer and winter time.
The system can be expanded with an expansion module, which doubles the solar fluid volume with a parallel storage tank and increases pump output with two solar pumps connected in series. For larger applications, up to four solar chargers (basic and expansion modules) can be cascaded, supporting collector fields of up to 48 collectors.
Important Technical Specifications
- Product Types and Article Numbers:
- VPM 15 D basic module: 0020133195
- VPM 30 D expansion module: 0020133196
- Collector Compatibility: Specifically developed for Vaillant solar collectors auroTHERM (VFK 135 VD and VFK 140 VD).
- Solar Fluid: Requires Vaillant ready-mixed solar fluid without additives.
- Temperature Limits:
- Safety temperature limit in solar circuit: 110 °C (STW2)
- Safety temperature limit in buffer cylinder: Not exceeded (STW1)
- Temperature Differential for Pump Activation: At least 15 K between collector (T5) and cylinder (T6) temperature sensors.
- Solar Radiation Threshold for Pump Deactivation: < 250 W.
- Anti-cycling Time: Ten minutes after the last cylinder charging has expired.
- Power Failure Reserve: Solar control is equipped with a 30-minute reserve power supply; the internal clock stops after 30 minutes, requiring manual time reset.
- System Controller Compatibility: Can be combined with auroMATIC VRS 620 system controller or geoTHERM heat pump controllers.
Usage Features
The auroFLOW plus features a Digital Information and Analysis System (DIA system) with a display and five operating buttons.
- Display: Shows symbols and plain text, providing information on the product's operating condition and troubleshooting guidance. The display lights up when a button is pressed and automatically switches off after one minute of inactivity.
- Operating Concept: Operated using selection buttons (soft keys) and plus/minus buttons. Button functions change based on the display context.
- Basic Display: Shows the current condition of the solar system, including current solar output (bar display) and collector temperature (T5).
- Reading Solar Yield: Users can view solar yield for the previous day, current month, current year, and total solar yield in kilowatt-hours.
- Operating Levels:
- Standard Operating Level: Offers frequently used settings and important information, accessible via a menu.
- Installer Level: Protected by a code, this level is for competent persons to calibrate system parameters.
- Auxiliary Functions (via Menu):
- Live Monitor: Displays current product status and its meaning in plain text (e.g., "Module in standby," "Solar circuit being filled," "Cylinder completely charged").
- Information:
- Contact data: Displays the installer's telephone number if entered during installation.
- Serial number: Shows the product's serial number and article number.
- Operating hours: Displays the operating hours of the cylinder charging pump since start-up.
- Basic Settings:
- Language: Allows setting the desired language.
- Display contrast: Adjusts display contrast for readability.
- Date/Time: Sets the date and time (only if no system controller is connected).
- Summer/winter time: Enables automatic adjustment between summer and winter time (only if no system controller is connected).
Maintenance Features
- Servicing: Annual inspections and maintenance by an approved competent person are required to ensure operational readiness, safety, reliability, and a long working life. Regular maintenance also ensures maximum efficiency and economical operation. Vaillant recommends signing up for a maintenance contract.
- Caring for the Product: The casing should be cleaned with a damp cloth and a little solvent-free soap. Unsuitable cleaning agents (sprays, scouring agents, detergents, solvents, or chlorine-containing agents) must be avoided as they can damage the casing, fittings, or control elements.
- Troubleshooting:
- Fault Messages: Fault messages have priority over other displays. If a fault occurs, the system switches off, and the display shows a fault code with a plain text explanation. Multiple faults are displayed sequentially.
- Fault Memory: If a fault persists for at least three minutes, it is recorded in the fault memory. Only a competent person can eliminate faults and delete the fault memory.
- Live Monitor: Status messages about the solar system's condition can be accessed via the Live Monitor function.
- Decommissioning:
- Switching off: The solar charger must be de-energized using a partition with a contact opening of at least 3 mm (e.g., fuses or power switches).
- Permanent Decommissioning: Requires contacting a competent person.
- Disposal: The installer is responsible for packaging disposal. The product and accessories must not be disposed of with household waste and should be disposed of properly according to relevant regulations. Solar fluid must be disposed of through an appropriate disposal company in compliance with local regulations. Uncontaminated packaging can be reused.