Buffer Tanks

gerry gill

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Dobber

Buffer Tanks

I'm looking for a line of buffer tanks to use.What are my choices?

Thanks
Dobber

hot_rod

Capacity?

Lochinvar, for one builds steel tanks of 250 gallon and up. Insulated or bare, plenty of connections.

Heat-Flo builds stainless steel up to 120 gallon. you can add single or dual 1-1/8" coils and a 1" FIP connection for back up element.

I've used the small 20 gallon from HTP on a bunch of jobs. stainless steel again, four large ports and a bunch of 1/2" for air vent, sensors, drain cocks, etc.

Plain Jane electric water heaters also work well. The element holes can be used for additional connection ports and I have even removed the anode rod for a spare connection. It makes a great air vent opening. No need for anode protection in a sealed closed loop system.

hot rod

Unknown

Great tip Bob,

I`m assuming on "Plain-Jane" electric tanks, only the 1" screw-in element holes can be used?
Other types will be difficult, or can they be tapped?

Dave

hot_rod

Typical residential HW tanks

have two 3/4" connections on the top. Possibly a third for a T&P which you should always leave in place to maintain warranty and the safety of the tank.

On the top I sometimes buy 3/4 MIP by 1" copper adapters to increase those connections.

On the element holes I have used 1" mip by 1-1/4" copper adapters to jump up a size if you need that much gpm flow.

Some electric tanks have additional side connection points. A bunch of the Bradford Whites do.

State still makes a tank for those combined DHW hydronic systems. Those have four ports also.

You can also remove the drain cock and add a tee there for two connection points. I see the Geo guys use that bottom connection for their small DHW heat exchangers.

hot rod

D107

Disconnected gas-fired directs OK?

and if the unit is not too old......

Thanks,

David

Royboy

I was under the impression

that the element ports on most or all electric WHs are some variety of straight threads rather than tapered, and thus not usable with standard pipe fittings. I once got some special adapters from the Marathon people to adapt element ports to pipe thread, but then ended up not using them.

if the element ports can serve as piping connections, it would open up some more creative uses of water heaters for me - like as solar tempering tanks, since the upper element is in a better location for an inlet that would support stratification.

so HR, is it your experience that you can successfully screw pipe thread into the element ports?

Dof3

buffer tanks

I have used 2 boiler buddy tanks and they are very nice. They come with 11/4" openings and a very nice Calleffi air eliminator. They look really good . I get mine from Hot Water Products in Wisconsin. Great people to deal with.

hot_rod

Royboy

I have threaded pipe and copper adapters into those openings without any leak problems. A couple wraps of heavy teflon tape is all I have used.

I don't know if that is a tapered NPT or not. The element threads are not very long, or tapered, and depend on a gasket for the seal.

hot rod