Best Of
Re: I'm getting solar panels. I'll let you know how it goes in this discussion thread.
Thank you, I sure will post the good, bad, and the ugly. No word yet on the inspections. Waiting on the town I think.
Re: any suggestions on pumps?
The 26-99 would easily support 3x what you have and is grossly oversized (though would modulate). Even the 15-58 will do nearly double what you have without issue. The Alpha 15-58 and two 3/4" Sentry zone valves would do a heck of a job here but if cost is of any concern, one UPS15-58 on each zone would be a great fit as well.
I typically run my loops 250ft in residential homes and use 32% glycol, and a single 15-58 starts to max out at about 14-15 loops. I do typically use the Alpha 26-99 with zone valves and/or actuators when it's 3 or more zones and 15+ loops, but something like yours would be two UPS 15-58 (if a budget build) or an Alpha 15-58 with two zone valves.
Re: Steam Boiler seems to be pulling a vacuum causing it to shut down on low water.
Here are some tips on setting up forum email notifications:
https://heatinghelp.com/forum-user-manual
Re: Steam Boiler seems to be pulling a vacuum causing it to shut down on low water.
With a vented boiler feed tank and pumps, atmospheric pressure pushes feedwater from the tank into the boiler and header causing the flooded condition you describe.
If this is a vacuum return system, or you're interested in maintaining a vacuum on the returns, a positively closing valve on the discharge of the boiler feed pump(s) should be installed. The actuator on this valve should be wired so the valve only opens when the boiler is calling for feedwater and the boiler feed pump is operating.
Re: Steam Boiler seems to be pulling a vacuum causing it to shut down on low water.
Assuming the installation of the boiler feed pump is correct and it is vented to the atmosphere and all else is correct the steam vacuum breaker can be the solution without looking for problem that may not exist.
Taken from my book steam the perfect fluid for heating and some of the problems. Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Dorrance Publishing Pittsburg Pa.
Re: Replacing cast iron radiator with smaller one
Just to let you know, I have corrected this mistake many times in my career. As I said in my first post, "It may even work in some rare cases." but I have had many situations where baseboard was added to replace a CI radiator that did not heat the space, a Kick Space heater was added to the existing supply and return, and even radiant floor tubing was connected without the proper mixing valve to lower the water temperature as required for radiant floor heating systems. Attempts to do it cheap can often result in undesirable results. If you are going to do this, then do it right the first time. Someone with Hydronics experience should be consulted.
With using the same water temperature on PEX tubing for floor heat, as the CI radiator system, you run the risk of making the floor too hot to stand on. a 165° high limit on a CI radiator might be nice to sit next to on a cold winter evening, but try walking barefoot on a 165° floor. Not so comfortable
Re: Energy Kinetics System 2000 hard lock out
@cjjeeper Dm me sir and i will do what i can to help you out
Re: Efficiency of an indirect water heater
i would consider an indirect to be more like a shell and tube HX design.
As such the companies that build both types seem to have the best actual data. I would say AlfaLavel is one of the largest Hx manufacturers, here us their take.
About the best transfer tank I tank seen is the TurboMax, which us a tank crammed full of copper hx tube. But still with one moving fluid the transfer will be limited
Id still put my money on the EK external plate hx.
Very easy to insulate a plate Hx, manufacturers offer the foam shells to tightly fit.
hot_rod
Re: Your thoughts and opinions please
What Scott said, and he said it better than I ever could. Thanks Scott.
Hydronic Boiler Scale: Causes, Dangers, Prevention This weeks video
As the name implies, the video covers common causes of scale formation and the implication to the boiler.




