superstor tank leaking

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charts will show which metals or alloys get alone best. As you see on this portion of the chart zinc (galvanized) and stainless are far apart and more apt to galvanic corrosion.

Actually under the right conditions even new copper to old copper can be susceptible to galvanic corrodion!

Copper or any of the copper alloys (brass and bronze) would be a closer match. A copper to male or female adapter would be my choice. A copper union if a local inspector insists on a union.

Chloride and ph levels are critical in stainless steel tanks, have your water source checked and compare it to the manufactures guidelines, usually in the installation manual. Some stainless indirect tanks manufactures ( Crown megaStore shown) now have chloride warning labels pasted right on the tank. Must be a good reason for that :)

I'm beginning to wonder if a glass lined steel indirect, with anode rod protection, may be the best harsh water vessel? I notice more and more of these on the market.

hot rod

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Don C

my 7 year old superstor indirect hot water tank is leaking

I am wondering is it is normal that I have to replace my 7 year ols superstor SS-30. The cold water intake nipple that is stainless steel and welded into the tank has water weeping through the unused threads. I believe this has happended because the nipple is stainless and the cold water connection is copper pipe. The 2 disimilar metals cause corosan and leaking. Also when no one is using hot water this cold input pipe get hots and when someone uses hot water the pipe is cold, this constant heat and cold expansion and contraction of 2 disimilar metals has a affect. Can some one recomend a reliable indirect hot water tank?

Thanks for your help.
Don

Bob Sweet

Don

If the problem is simply water seeping through the threaded connection , you might think about having someone disconnect the connection and re seal the threads. I'm not a huge fan of dielectric unions but that would stop or atleast slow the corrosion between the copper and SS, if indeed there is evidence of electrolisis. As far as hot water bleeding into the cold water inlet, a heat sink would stop some of the transfer.

Chuck Shaw_4

WARNING
Never use dielectric unions or galvanized steel fittings on any domestic
water connections. Use only copper or brass fittings. Teflon thread
sealant must be used on all connections.

This is found on page 8 of the Superstor manual, follow the link below

http://www.htproducts.com/literature/lp-83.pdf

Chuck

Bob Sweet

Hey Chuck thanks for the correction

any idea why that is?? The disclaimer appears to pertain to the Ultra, was it also part of the SS 30 spec's as well?? been looking for manual for SS 30 cant bring one up, only thing available is Ultra, just curious. Thanks

Don C

> If the problem is simply water seeping through

> the threaded connection , you might think about

> having someone disconnect the connection and re

> seal the threads.

When I tried to take the connection apart the nipple broke off where the brass tee ends and the stainless steel nipple begins. When you look at the break point you can see the thickness of the nipple on the sides and bottom is 1/8" thick but the top section of the nipple (at 12 O'clock) is less that 1/16" thick. This is what I believe is the electrolisis problem.
I tried to re-tread the nipple but there is not enough room with my pipe tread tool is to large and there is not enough nipple left.
Here is a temp fix for this to keep your wife from killing you in your sleep because she has no hot water in the whole house for the weekend because "YOU" broke the water heater.
I brought the water supply down and 90 degree elbowed with a 2" long brass 3/4"nipple up to the broken nipple, then went to my favorite AUTO PARTS STORE with a 3/4" nipple and said "you have any heater hose that this 3/4" pipe will fit in?" They did and I bought a piece. Went home slid the heater hose on the broken nipple and pushed the cold water supply nipple into the other end of the heater hose and put 6 hose clamps on it, and turned on the water ! No leaking at all. I told the wife OK you have hot water now but we should start thinking about buying a new hot water heater.
I also added a strap around the tank and the cold water supply line because I was worried with it getting hot and cold it might blow off so the strap will keep that from happening.
I guess from the posts so far that this is not a common problem. I did notice that alot of water heaters have a warranty of 5 years. I noticed AMTROL has a forged brass plate where you connect the water, this looks like a better design, does anyone have any knowledge of this unit?

Chuck Shaw_4

The SS30 is the

"older" version of the Ultra. I am not sure of the date on the switch of the name.

Chuck

Bob Sweet

Nice save in a pinch Don

Sounds as though electrolysis is a possibility. AS far as Indirects go I've had pretty good succes with the Tank in a Tank design such as Tiangle tube or it's sister Weil Mclain.Dielectric's are permitted by these Manufacturer's. Keep in mind electrolysis may not be the problem water content or possibly a grounding issue are other factors as well.

Chuck Shaw_4

Don,

Check with the warranty department at HTP tomorrow

1-508-763-8071 ext 150

Have the model and serial number ready.

You may still have some warranty left on the tank

Chuck

S Milne

Don

I am a Plumbing Contrator and use Super-stor tanks ALL THE TIME.

We have very little problems with these and would use this tank over a Amtrol every time.

I would look at the inlet preasure to see if you have excesive preasure which would wear down the thickness of the metal. Possible a poor joint from installation could also be the culprit.

I can't remember the last leaking Super-Stor we had.

Scott

J.C.A._3

Hey Scott,

I remember the last leaker...I forgot to press a connection. The person servicing the oil burner found it about 4 months after install.

Don, I'm with Scott on this one. I've only seen one tank returned in the 15 or so years the Super Stor has been around. Follow Chucks advice and call.Nice fix in the jam too! Chris

Don C

> I am a Plumbing Contrator and use Super-stor

> tanks ALL THE TIME.

>

> We have very little

> problems with these and would use this tank over

> a Amtrol every time.


Hi Scott,
I am wondering how you hook up the superstor. I have copper water line into brass tee's or elbows onto the stainless steel nipples with pipe dope. I noticed in the ultra superstor installation manual it says teflon must be used on all connections but in the same book for the cold water inlet it say's both tape and pipe dope must be used (page#9). This sounds very strange to me, I think this is the first time I have read somthing like that.
Also I was talking with a heating supply guy and he said when superstor first came out they had a leaking problem, but then they corrected the problem, do you know anything about this?

Wayco Wayne_2

Someting to check

I had a problem years ago with a Polaris. Had several leakers and was told to check the tank against ground. I drove a stake into the ground outside and ran a wire from it inside to the tank. Then I checked to see if there were any millivolt difference between them. There was. I then found the electrical panel was grounded to a water pipe instead of an electrical stake. The city changed the incoming water lines to plastic, thus losing it's grounding capabilities. This was causing the leaks because any stray voltage in the house was trying to ground out through the tank, causing electrilysis and leaks. Whew! That one really made my brain hurt figuring it out. Something to check just to make sure. WW

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ScottMP

Yes

Years ago Super-Stor was made with a thru hull fitting that would spin of over tightened. Once the company switched to welding that problem was solved. I can't remember that last leaker we had ( except for poor installation ..Chris ).

I good joint is a good joint. Pipe dope, teflon, pipe dope and teflon. Its all good, as long as it dos'nt leak. I can not imagine a thread compound effecting electrolosise.

Call HTP. Good product, good company.

Scott

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Ron Schroeder_3

you asked about an alternative DHW tank

and the best warrantee in the industry is offered by Viessmann . The performance is none to shabby either. Ask Paul Polletts about his experiences.

Don C

Ok, Here is a update on this problem. I called superstor with the serial# on the tank. They said it is lifetime warranty but I have to hire a plumber to do the uninstall and reinstall and the plumber will deal with superstor.
However, my wife does not want another superstor after all the problems with the first one. I went to a couple of plumbing supplies and found that most indirects are stainless steel. Also talking to one guy and talking about the constant leaking at the cold water input he said "WICK-IT" . I said what is "WICK-IT" . He explained that you put pipe dope on the male thread and then wrap a cotton string in the thread . then add more dope and make the connection. when the joint starts to leak the cotton string will swell and stop the leak. It is to late for me since the nipple broke off , but I thought I would share this with you guys.
I found a indirect water heater tank that looks good to me. It is "Vaughn top performer" The connecting nipples are brass and the tank is stone lined. The nipples look like they are replacable. The price I got for the 35 gal tank is $660.00 . Does anyone have info on this hot water tank?

Bob Sweet

Check out Ken's article \" Dope\"

It talks about wicking and several other sealents as well as applications and practices.

Cosmo_3

aargh

"However, my wife does not want another superstor after all the problems with the first one."

With all due respect to everyone out there that says things like the above quote, AAAAAAAAAA! Not to poke fun at your wife, however you just had a few experienced proffesionals tell you that these are good units.

You also know that HTP will warranty the tank.

In addition you recieved some great info on checking your grounding situation, and to check the chlorine levels. It does not matter whose equipment you use, if the last two items are problems (grounding, and chlorine levels) the same thing may happen again no matter what brand you buy.




Cosmo Valavanis

Dependable P.H.C. Inc.

Don C

> In addition you recieved some great info on

> checking your grounding situation, and to check

> the chlorine levels. It does not matter whose

> equipment you use, if the last two items are

> problems (grounding, and chlorine levels) the

> same thing may happen again no matter what brand

> you buy.


I forgot to mention I did look for a grounding problem and my electrical box is connected to a ground rod not the water line.
I am not not going to check the clorine level because I know that my water company adds clorine to the water and that are not going to change it for me.
From the info posted in this thread clorine and stainless don't work well together and also when you put 2 disimilar metals like stainless steel to copper you get corrosian.
looking at the vaughn tank it has brass nipples so brass to copper are a good match and stone lined tank is not affected by clorine levels so I think this vaughn tank fits my situation best.

Jim\"Rocky\" Kelleher

Vaughn water heater

Don check the Vaughn sizing chart to make sure 35 gallons is enough for your water usage, you may want to increase to a larger size. The Vaughn tank is a good quality choice. Good Luck.

Don C

> Don check the Vaughn sizing chart to make sure 35

> gallons is enough for your water usage, you may

> want to increase to a larger size.

The 30 gal superstor was fine for my needs so the 35 gal vaughn should be more than enough. I heard that when the vaughn first came out the coil was wraped to tight and it had trouble making enough hot water but since then they made a improvment and it makes the correct amount of hot water.
Thanks
Don

ScottMP

Out of the frying pan

and .....

Don, the Super-Stor is the better product. You did'nt have problems with the super-stor, you had problems with the install. You had a poor joint not a poor tank. The joint leaked long enough to cause corrosion. We install these tanks all the time and have NO corrosion between the two metals. Viessmann tanks, arguable the best on the market, are a stainless steel tank !!

Vaughn moved the tightly wound coil from the bottom to the top ??

You don't have a product problem, you have an install problem.

My two cents worth.

Scott



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Troy_3

Super-stor

We've installed hundreds of ultra tanks. We have never had a leaker. Never! We previously installed a blue tank that looked like a bomb. It was. Changed a dozen bad bombs, got no help from scamtrol. Will never get scammed again by them. Heat Transfer has always been great with any questions or problems. Just never had any with their ultra tank. I think you jumped to a wrong conclusion. Sorry.