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Re: Another glitch on a steam install
If it works without problems, it serves to show how forgiving steam can be…
Re: Recommendation for highly reliable natural gas water heater?...
Hi and yes, more tappings means more failure points, both inside and out. I like a tank with more tappings as it gives more opportunity for adding a second anode. As most people don't maintain tanks, the added tapping probably doesn't matter much. Way back when, we had copper and Monel tanks, and over 150 manufacturers, so some tanks were made to last far longer. 😇
Yours, Larry
ps. About the ten year thing, it's sort of a standing joke that if a plumber thinks the tank is ten years old, he says "Time for a new heater. This one could leak anytime." I've seen this happen with copper tanks too 🤔
Re: Recommendation for highly reliable natural gas water heater?...
Hi, Being the hot water nerd, I can comment. If anything, hot water lifespan for unmaintained tanks has decreased. Tanks are made of thinner steel. Glass lining used to be available as a doubled coating, and also sometimes done on the fireside of the tank. I've seen commercial style anodes used in residential tanks, putting a lot more magnesium in the tank. Efficiency has gone up, primarily due to better flue baffles being developed and used. Better insulation and heat traps add some also.
A gripe of mine is they we forgot about the "U" tube heater, where the flue forms a heat trap by going up then back down before exiting the heater, low on the side. That heater must have "leaked" a lot less heat all of the time, compared to the standard straight flue.
Yours, Larry the Nerd 😜
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
Actually, i would run 2 conduits, either 1.5" or 2". One for the line voltage wiring and one for any low energy wiring that i needed to get between the 2 buildings in the future. Garage door operator control, network, things like that.
mattmia2
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
I'd run a 20a mulitwire circuit. The difference of the cost of the wire between 20a and 100a is large so I'd probably jsut run 1.5" or 2" conduit with #12 or #10 in it depending on the length of the run and pull the bigger conductors later if I needed to change it to having its own service instead of using the 1 circuit exception.
It is very likely that by the time you want to increase the capacity it will be something completely different than what you think you want now.
The codes are all online now, someone decided that you couldn't copyright regulations.
mattmia2
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
If your not going to have a charger run the larger PVC pipe and pull #12 for the 20 amp breaker. The new owner can pull the charger circuit or the sub panel. Only install what you need but you have left provisions for an upgrade if needed.
A garage can only have 1 circuit or 1 multiwire branch circuit. More than that and you open yourself up to ground rods, sub panels and more unneeded cost and issues you don't need if your not using the increased power.
Re: Can someone explain this hydronic loop heating.
There are thousands of homes on Long Island with that type of convector on mono flo systems that have a 3/4 tap for bleeding. I don't remember who made the original bleeders, but they looked like brass rockets. About 4 or 5 inches tall.
I have to admit, I never saw one where the tap was on a vertical, so it is deceiving. A pic from another angle would show it better.
HVACNUT
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
Whatever else you do, unless for some reason you need two independent circuits out there, just run the bigger conduit and wire for 50 or 100 amps. The extra cost in comparison with the digging and electrician's time is trivial.
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
I would run maybe a 1" for the 20A you want now, run a second spare conduit for the 100A in the future.
If you run the 100A now, eliminate the 20A and just set a sub panel
We are working on an ADU in our detached shop, we have capacity for a second 100A for that building.
I'd contact an electrician for wire and conduit sizing for that distance.
Around here you need a permit, licensed electrician and inspection before the power company will do the service upgrade.
hot_rod
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
No need to run both, just run the gauge of wire for the highest project load and transition at a box (exterior or interior)
PC7060