First impressions of HTP's Elite FT

Steve Minnich

I like it...so far. I have a couple more days before I fire it up. Still needs to be vented through a barrel roof, all the home runs from the REHAU manifolds need to be tied in, drain, odds and ends.

A lot of similarities with the WHN (my current favorite).

The option of piping out the top or the bottom was a great idea.

I like that they have an accessible plug for combustion analysis.

The location of the electrical knockouts is something I'm still baffled by?

I haven't looked closely yet but I didn't see a place to wire the system (secondary) pump? The WHN has that. I've got the Caleffi ZVR's with terminals for the system pump so not a big deal.

I have to look closer at the control but at first glance I didn't see a plug and play connection for a LWCO either. Another thing that I like about the WHN. Anything that makes my job easier works for me.

Can I expect more pleasant surprises as I move along

Rich_49

You want pages 57 - 58 in the manual .

http://www.htproducts.com/literature/lp-387.pdf

Wait till you see the UFT that is arriving on the market soon . 80,100,120,140 K sizes with 10:1 TDR and no P & S required .

Steve Minnich

Got it. Thanks Rich. The architect spec'd the Elite FT and wanted to stick with it as long as I didn't have a problem with it. I didn't and it gives me an opportunity to experience HTP. I love learning.

UFT sounds great and will be even better if they come up with a 40 and 60 : ).

rick in Alaska

If you haven't filled it yet, which it looks like, you might want to put a drain valve on the Boiler Buddy. Future maintenance you know?
Rick

Steve Minnich

There is a drain. Bottom right side.

Steve Minnich

There's actually a 3/4" female pipe thread on the BB specifically for the drain. : )

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

It's nice to see that quality contractors are still soldering. Nice work, Steve!

Rich_49

I have seen more than my fair share of hacks who solder very nicely . Some folks choose Pro Press , some Aquatherm and any other method of joining a pipe to a fitting .
I use Pro Press Alan , does that make me other than a quality contractor ? How about others that choose a different joining method ? Have you ever inquired about how much less per year your insurance premiums may be when you limit your exposure to liability for say "FIRE" and transporting Tanks of Acetylene ?
I do respect your opinion but might think using the word quality and solder in the same sentence may give the wrong idea .

Steve Minnich

I didn't see anything negative in the comment? He may have meant that most quality contractors are pressing or using some other method, for all we know?

Does everything need to be a point of contention?

Steve Minnich

In 1988 I was working in a century old, 3 flat apartment building on Diversey in Chicago. The entire building was being gutted and renovated. We were doing the HVAC while the plumbers were there roughing in the copper.One of the plumbers got careless and lit an old joist on fire.

Within minutes, and I mean minutes, the entire building was engulfed in flames. Luckily no one got hurt because in the building next door (3 feet away), the windows were blowing out within minutes too. The building we were in burned down quickly but the one next door was salvaged.

I have the utmost respect for sparks, fire, heat from torches as anyone on the planet. I take every precaution there is to be as safe as humanly possible. If I'm near combustibles I use 16 gauge metal plates to cover them. I have a bucket of water with a rag soaking in it at my feet. I use the right size torch tip, I have a small fire extinguisher nearby (never yet have had to use it after 3 plus decades). I'm 100% dialed in when that torch is ignited and I don't use acetylene or a turbo type torch for soft soldering.

It's not a sin to use a torch. Nor is it a sin to press.

Rich_49

Don't take my comment the wrong way . Many that visit the site are not contractors and could get the idea that anything other than soldering is undesirable or in some way inferior .

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Hey there: I apologize. My comment was directed at Steve who is a quality guy and still solders. I appreciate the craft and just wanted to voice up since I have only a few years left in the trade. I think soldering is a dying skill; on its way out just like wiping a joint. So, whenever I see nicely soldered work, I comment on it.

danlin

Thanks.

Ironman

Beautiful work, Stephen.

I switched over to P.P. About five years ago. Wish I had done it sooner. I still do some soft soldering and my joints look almost as good as yours, but the P.P. is definitely my first choice.

Steve Minnich

Thank you, Bob. That means a lot coming from you.

I will switch to PP at some point. I just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I hired my son-in-law 6 months ago and I really want him to learn some old school stuff because he'll need to know it at some point.

@Danlin - I would suggest starting a "New Discussion". You'll get more views and all kinds of responses that way.

jonny88

Fantastic work.Beautiful soldering joints .How well does the system work and are you happy with the boiler.Thanks for sharing

Steve Minnich

Thanks Jonny88. We can't fire it up until September. The job is an art gallery in Chicago. I guess a large part of the floor is some form of art that we haven't been allowed to see and the artist doesn't want/can't have the floor heated until then.

I'm confident she'll run beautifully. : )

jonny88

Bring them into the boiler room thats where the real art gallery is

Steve Minnich

Funny you should say that. The owner stuck her head in the mechanical room as we were finishing and said "Wow! That's Bad A$$!!"
Not what I expected from the owner of an art gallery but very cool.

Steve Minnich

Thanks Hat - Force of habit more than anything. Not a bad habit but probably should change.

4Johnpipe

The cool thing is boiler buddy and HTP have purges on them...any remaining air in that (beautiful) system would go out the top of the boiler buddy...

hot_rod

jonny88 said:

Bring them into the boiler room thats where the real art gallery is

Speaking of art in mechanical rooms. Mustafa Aydin of American Plbg, Heating, & Solar in Colorado adds an art component to his mechanical rooms. He learns what the owners hobbies are, or where they went to college, the adds some art to surprise them.

RobG

I miss seeing Heatboy's diamond plate jobs, beautiful workmanship and aesthetically pleasing. (your work looks awesome as well Steve, I always love to see true craftsmanship). Did Heatboy go to work for a rep or a manufacturer?

Steve Minnich

He did. I forget where? Hot Rod knows, I think?

Rich_49

Jeff now works for Viega .

rick in Alaska

I love how the mouse traps are are lined up in a row! Very tidy.
Goes with the rest of the nice workmanship.
Rick

hot_rod

mouse traps to protect the motorcycle, maybe?

Dan Foley

Heatboy left Viega. He is at The Joyce Agency now.

- DF