Heating Help

Primary secondary

@ May 21, 2013 8:29 AM in TT110 Trimax control question

It looks like it would be easiest to put the the check valves on both the heating and dhw circs. I would then just cut in the tees to make it primary/secondary on the heating side, just like the manual. You can install that boiler with a diff bypass. Why would you? Having the circ in the boiler cabinet working in series with the zone circ is a bad idea for countless reasons.

You bet

@ May 20, 2013 5:57 PM in Propane as fuel

Most natural gas models are available in propane versions. For radiant heating, high efficiency units work very well as they love the low water temps.
If you insulate well and install good windows, a 500 gallon tank should be plenty.
This site has tons of good info.
Welcome
Carl

LWCO

@ May 20, 2013 5:52 PM in low water cut-off

There are plenty of places where LWCO's are not required on residential jobs.
Both 120 volt and 24volt accomplish the same thing. Unless code dictates, use whichever is easier for your install.
Carl

Expansion tank

@ May 20, 2013 5:43 PM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

The boiler circ being flipped would have much less effect on the expansion tank than the 2 zone circs presently have. There just isn't enough resistance between the tees to create a problem.
For my money, I would flip the circ and be done with it.

Carl

Letter box

@ May 20, 2013 5:38 PM in I have noticed more and more shotty work

I'm still stuck on the letter box. How about A to H or E to I?

It is important to give the guys something to joke about.

Seriously though,
The rest of the list is the making of a first class job.


Can it go from I to C to G?

Carl

Clarify

@ May 20, 2013 5:33 PM in Reverse Indirect

My suggestion on the stainless was to stay away from tanks that have steel or other materials that are not suitable for potable water. The triangle tube smart for example would be a bad choice due to the steel in the outer tank.

Siggy

@ May 20, 2013 10:21 AM in Reverse Indirect

John Siegenthaler has written some good stuff on these. You should be able to google some articles.
I think for it to work well it needs to be a high temp heat system and the indirect needs to be stainless on both sides and have plenty of surface area. The heat flow models look like would work well.
Carl

second time

@ May 20, 2013 9:59 AM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

If you are looking for a quick solution, there is nothing wrong with flipping the circ.
If you want to make it "really right", your zone circs should "pump away" from the expansion tank as well.
Carl

Restriction

@ May 20, 2013 9:46 AM in is it a problem connecting a larger gas pipe to a smaller gas pipe?

Sort of,
The system will have the restriction of 1" but only over the 6" of pipe. If you look on the chart, 6" of 1" pipe can carry lots of gas. If you were to restrict it for 60' that would be a different story
Carl

What I thought

@ May 19, 2013 1:00 PM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

That is what I thought. I do see the primary loop being piped backwards as a big deal.
I have know idea why the boiler has not faulted being as the return must be hotter than the supply. I think they either switched the sensors or the flow rate is so fast, the boiler did not pick up the error.
Personally, I would forgive the other flaws in the system. The reverse piping on the boiler loop is not OK. Just flip the circ and double check the sensor wiring.
Carl

This is...

@ May 19, 2013 11:07 AM in New kitchen cabinets over existing baseboard heat?

A dead post that someone revived by asking what color the cabinets are. I am sure this job was completed long ago and the OP long gone.

He has already....

@ May 19, 2013 10:39 AM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

In an earlier post, He indicated the arrow was pointed toward the photographer. Now he is confirming that it it pumping toward the boiler (backwards). I think it is important to get all the facts before advising "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". There are many really dangerous systems out there that "work"
JMO
Carl

Odd

@ May 19, 2013 8:06 AM in TT110 Trimax control question

Make sure your sketch is accurate. It looks like the he has the circs is series. Where does this bipass valve fit in? It makes it so much easier when it is installed per the manual. Once it is determined exactly how it is piped, I think we can help you get it set up right.
Carl

primary/secondary?

@ May 19, 2013 12:08 AM in TT110 Trimax control question

Could you confirm the piping under the boiler. The TT110 would normally be piped primarily/secondary using the factory circ. Is the factory circ still installed (inside the cabinet)? A picture of that piping would be helpful.
Carl

Misdemeanors and Felonies

@ May 18, 2013 11:46 PM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

Your system has tons of misdemeanors. Pumping into the expansion tank, lack of isolation valves, how about support for the pipes and wires. I agree with heatpro on these. It is ugly but not worth fixing. Pumping backwards through a boiler, especially a Mod Con is a felony.It will absolutely wrong and is will reduce the life and efficiency of the boiler. The closely spaced Tees are also backwards. The good news is that the fix is to flip the circulator.
It could be an optical illusion, based on the pics, it looks backwards.
Carl

Backwards

@ May 18, 2013 8:18 PM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

It looks like the supply and return on the primary (boiler ) loop is backwards. I am surprised the boiler controller would allow this as the temp sensors would not read correctly.

Ideally the zone circs should be pumping away from the expansions tank.

You said it runs fine? No air or velocity noise issues?

Carl

Pressure Drop

@ May 18, 2013 6:25 PM in is it a problem connecting a larger gas pipe to a smaller gas pipe?

Gas line should be sized based on the allowable pressure drop in your system. I think the standard chart allows 1/2" total drop.
As previously posted you start with bigger pipes and reduce the size as the load decreases.
To do your system right, you need to map out what size and length pipe you have and compare that to the ratings of the attached appliances. It may be that you can easily add the additional heater using 1/2" line and have no problems. If you don't do the math you will likely end up with appliances malfunctioning due to pressure fluctuations.
As far as increasing the the pipe size, it won't hurt anything. It doesn't make the job look very professional. Is there a reason for not hiring a pro and doing it right?
Carl

More pics

@ May 18, 2013 2:15 PM in Gas Boiler Pump and Zone Locations

If you could post some more pics. Farther away and from different angles. Also note which way the arrows on the circs are pointed.
It is definitely wrong, it is a question of how wrong.
Carl

SPAM

@ May 15, 2013 8:38 AM in Gas pipe size

SPAM SPAM SPAM oh wonderful spam

No Ads

@ May 15, 2013 8:36 AM in can stainless steel de-alloy? Perry

Shinestar,
I am sure your commercial pipe is wonderful.
Please look at the forum rules NO ADS
There is no need to dig up 10 year old threads for the sake of SPAM

Check Valve

@ May 14, 2013 8:53 AM in Another triangle tube install question

I asked the triangle tube guys why they don't just use a circ with a check valve, They said they were not as durable. I have done it quite a few times and have never had a problem. I don't know where to buy them.Since most grudnfos circs that size come with them and they often are not needed, I usually has a few laying around. You might try calling grundfos or your contractor, It is not a big deal to sweat one in, it is just much easier to unbolt the circ and snap it in.
Carl

You got it

@ May 13, 2013 11:06 PM in Time to choose a boiler

Now for the fun part.  About 95% of the installers will  look at you like you are nuts. First the head will turn to the side like a curious puppy. They will then start explaining how long they have been doing it their way.
The guy you are looking for will  get a huge smile on his face and tell you how much he likes an informed customer.

Carl