buyingabroad
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Thanks for the replies. Would it be fair to say that having the stove heating the water only would be a simpler system and the way to go?
Hi. I am interested in installing this type of system. I see you say you have installed a few.
I live in the Drogheda area. I have a Vokera minute '12e' gas boiler. Would it interest you in having a look with a view to carrying out the installation.
Also, is this configuration in compliance with RGI specifications.
thanks,Eoin.
Hi. I am interested in installing this type of system. I see you say you have installed a few.
I live in the Drogheda area. I have a Vokera minute '12e' gas boiler. Would it interest you in having a look with a view to carrying out the installation.
Also, is this configuration in compliance with RGI specifications.
thanks,Eoin.
...
The pipework will have to be metallic and be installed using as many bends as possible to ensure proper circulation.
I disagree. What happens if there is a circulating pump failure or a power cut? The heat will rise and travel to the point where it must drop. The heat will back up within the solid fuel boiler and boil. This will cause banging and possible joint leaks. It will also cause enough expansion within the circuit to pitch from the OVSP back into the expansion tank, re-oxygenating the system, causing sludge and rust.There is absolutely no problem running a 1 inch primary flow pipe from the stove/boiler up into the attic and running horizontally until dropping down in to the hot press area and connect to the cylinder. The 1 inch primary return can be ran under the floor and up into the hot press and connect to the cylinder. This circuit will indeed be free from any valves or pumps. This circuit will work perfectly well once the dip in the return pipe will not exceed one sixth of the circulating height between the centre of the boiler/stove and the centre of the hot water cylinder.
Bends must be kept to a minimum. The maximum pipe length permissable is 25.5ft or 7.8m between the boiler and the cylinder coil. It should also be well lagged. This is ensure the velocity of the circuit to the coil. Each 90 bend (from horizontal to vertical & from horizontal to horizontal) is equivalent to 4ft of the total allowable length of pipe run. Therefore 3 x 90 bends = 12ft, so now the total allowable length of pipework is now halved! Bends from vertical to horizontal should preferably be made with a pipe bender rather than an elbow joint to allow a sweeping bend. 90 elbows are, of course, acceptable.The pipework will have to be metallic and be installed using as many bends as possible to ensure proper circulation.
This system was used extensively because in most bungalow design the cylinder was located in the hot press area which was 6/10m down the hallway. All solid fuel boilers will boil if the circulation is not assisted with a heat leak gravity heating circuit/radiator or by using a circulator.
I have mixed views on non-return valves. I cannot see a problem with spring type walves as they can be fitted on any plane once in the right direction. Flap type valves have a habit of passing.
Down through the years I have fitted many a dual system in a bungalow and I have had no problems with restricted circulation.
I would stay away from garden hose/ pex pipes on the primary circuit.
Shane007
If the OP changes his cylinder to a dual cylinder than he can have a pressurized gas system and an open back boiler system. Might be cheaper than trashing the existing burner
Vila and Shane007: given your experience in this area it would be useful to pen a few lines on the header tank for such a system.
As I have stated already I see no problem whatsoever with an "up and over gravity primary circuit" between a solid fuel appliance and a cylinder (in bungalow design) once there is a proper circulating head/pressure generated.
This expansion will only happen in extraordinary circumstances such as a power/pump failure and is deemed as a fail safe method of protecting the heating system.
I do not need to be reminded of the design features of convectional circulation in systems and length allowances for elbows/bends/ tees and internal pipe surface.
The fatal incident in UK was caused by a faulty immersion element in a hot water cylinder overheating and spilling boiling water into a polythene cold water storage tank that in turn collapsed on top of the room occupant.
What is wrong with a gravity heating system? Having this type of system is a great advantage in a multistorey dwelling (even two storey) whereby heat will rise to heat emitters without the need for electric pump circulators. If this is the case according to the building regs it is wrong to install a gravity solid fuel heating system, weather independantly or link it to another heating appliance.
Looks like our Irish plumbing apprenticeship training system that covers both industrial and domestic heating installations is flawed as this is what I was taught all those years ago!!
Maybe people should take their advice from the guy behind counter in the builders providers and fully pump the system!!
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