Success adding Flow-Reversal to in-floor heat system

MarkE

I described my adventures with a mis-designed and mis-installed radiant floor heating system installed in my house in Mexico in this thread:



<a href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/150707/Series-pumps-and-my-hydronic-comedy-of-errors">http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/150707/Series-pumps-and-my-hydronic-comedy-of-errors</a>



The biggest problem is overly long 1/2" PEX zone loops in the 400-800 foot range. The best suggestions plus a little more research led me to attempt installing a device to periodically reverse the zone flows.



After obtaining the necessary parts from the US via a visiting friend, I created a system that reverses flow to the supply and return manifolds every 30 minutes.  Rooms and floor areas at the far end of these loops that never received heat before are now warm for the first time. All living spaces in our two buildings were comfortably between 68-69F during some cold, cloudy & rainy weather where I'd ordinarily turn on a gas log fireplace or portable gas heater.



To see the system, I've placed a PDF file with diagrams and photos of the remedial work here:



<a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12631920/System%20Notes%20with%20Flow%20Reversal.pdf">https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12631920/System%20Notes%20with%20Flow%20Reversal.pdf</a>



Parts consist of a LK Armatur 4-way mixing valve, a Belimo actuator and a Titan Controls Apollo 6 timer.



Thanks to those who replied to the original thread, and especially for offline assistance I received from Kurt Albershardt of Southwest Energy Integrators.



I still plan to add a booster pump to improve responsiveness to calls for heat, and to fill in the central area of each zone that is cooler than the flow entry/exit areas.



The Wall here at Heating Help was invaluable to me. Thanks for making it available.



Mark E.

Pátzcuaro, México