Watts vs Amtrol

frankjc

Which is a better expansion tank? My current tank is an Amtrol Extrol model 30. They seem to be more expensive than the Watts, but I don't mind spending the extra money if the product is better.
Thanks.

Big Ed_4

There seems to be a shortage of Amtrol , I have been using what can be found ...

ScottSecor

In my opinion they are all pretty much equal these days.  Amrtol is the only brand we used for residential since I started in the 1980s.  We seem to be replacing them more often these days.  

hot_rod

About 30 bucks more for these plastic lined with a brass nipple

properly sized and installed, with good boiler water a plain steel tank should last 10, 15 maybe 20 years 

EdTheHeaterMan

I can't remember what brand it was, (but it was panted green) a manufacturers rep told me once that their tank was charged at the factory with Nitrogen. At the time I had just learned about how oxygen can migrate thru solid objects like Plastic Tubing. (The reason you need "O2 barrier" PEX on CI boiler systems). so I believed it was a worthwhile feature. I requested that brand for a while, but would take whatever brand was available.

I did replace more Amtrol tanks that any other brand in my career, but I thing that is because there were more Amtrol tanks on jobs than any other brand.

hot_rod

EdTheHeaterMan said:

I can't remember what brand it was, (but it was panted green) a manufacturers rep told me once that their tank was charged at the factory with Nitrogen. At the time I had just learned about how oxygen can migrate thru solid objects like Plastic Tubing. (The reason you need "O2 barrier" PEX on CI boiler systems). so I believed it was a worthwhile feature. I requested that brand for a while, but would take whatever brand was available.

I did replace more Amtrol tanks that any other brand in my career, but I thing that is because there were more Amtrol tanks on jobs than any other brand.

I've asked a few tank manufacturers if nitrogen was ever used for pre-charging, nobody remembers that? Amtrol, possibly others use chilled or air that has gone through a refrigerated moisture remover.

Big Ed_4

You could be thinking of Flair . I am not sure of the gas used but was amazed finding them out in the field years after they stopped manufacture them . Flair was the first diagram tank we used .... Long and thinner in shap then we use today

hot_rod

Bag type tanks last longer, cost more usually. They have better acceptance than the diaphragm tanks also.

jumper

Some big buildings pressurized conventional tanks with nitrogen. At the time seemed odd. But as decades go by anything that delays rust/scale looks prudent.

EdTheHeaterMan

hot_rod said:

I've asked a few tank manufacturers if nitrogen was ever used for pre-charging, nobody remembers that? Amtrol, possibly others use chilled or air that has gone through a refrigerated moisture remover.

I think the rep was from BJ Terroni, who handled Taco Pumps. I also remember winning a color TV from them for being one of the 4 fastest technicians to change out a Taco 007 pump cartridge at the Service Managers Convention in Hershey PA in the 1980s. Did Taco ever sell an expansion tank. I remember the tank color Green.

I may be remembering incorrectly. But I did use my dry nitrogen bottle to recharge expansion tanks many times because of that memory. Thanks for looking into that Bob... So some people really do read my comments

Mr.Ed

hot_rod

EdTheHeaterMan said:

hot_rod said:

I've asked a few tank manufacturers if nitrogen was ever used for pre-charging, nobody remembers that? Amtrol, possibly others use chilled or air that has gone through a refrigerated moisture remover.

I think the rep was from BJ Terroni, who handled Taco Pumps. I also remember winning a color TV from them for being one of the 4 fastest technicians to change out a Taco 007 pump cartridge at the Service Managers Convention in Hershey PA in the 1980s. Did Taco ever sell an expansion tank. I remember the tank color Green.

I may be remembering incorrectly. But I did use my dry nitrogen bottle to recharge expansion tanks many times because of that memory. Thanks for looking into that Bob... So some people really do read my comments

Mr.Ed

YesI have seen Taco expansion tanks. I'm not sure if they manufactured them or out sourced. I believe they have a fab shop for welded steel vessels.

Amtrol is owned by Worthington now, they are about the largest tank manufacturer from freon tanks, Mapp gas, LP, to large compressor tanks, etc.

Solid_Fuel_Man

Many commercial jobs I've put Taco tanks in. They are always a sandy red. Made in Cranniston RI I believe...

Not sure about the resi ones like Bob mentioned. 

Fastduramax

HTX is a horrid green, been buying them at Webb's for quite a few years and have yet to replace one in the field, $10 clams more than an Amtrol from Webb's....