Nothing Fancy, yet Very Practical!
The Butler Sun Solutions Collector Umbilical and Split Pipe System features collector, 3/8-inch copper tubing, fluid out and return lines are run together inside a single insulating layer of split rubber foam insulation. The electric control wires are taped to the outside of the foam insulation. The entire umbilical is protected by 2-inch inside diameter standard ABS drainpipe. The pipe is split and spliced to easily snap together. The picture shows the split pipe on the lower right, coming up into a 2-inch ABS pipe coupling. A 90-degree split elbow is used to turn the umbilical 90 degrees. Another ABS pipe coupling is used to connect the next straight section of ABS pipe, which has the top ABS pipe half removed to show the wiring, insulation, and tubing inside. The ABS pipe protects the umbilical from UV radiation from the sun, and can be painted to match the roof. It is weather resistant, but not sealed, so holes must be drilled to prevent water accumulation in the umbilical.