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RPA showcase winner

Tom Simensen
Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74
in THE MAIN WALL
I recently got the exciting news that our entry placed in the
innovative category of the Radiant Panel Association's 2003

"System Showcase". This entry features a new way of zoning,
using modules that create the supply and return manifolds as the

modules are put together. Attached are photos of the first working
prototype. For every minute that it took to put these modules

together it seems to have saved an hour of piping the conventional
way . I will have an opportunity to display it in Sacramento in May,

at the Radiant Expo. Hope to see you all there. Tom

Comments

  • Paul Cooke
    Paul Cooke Member Posts: 181
    Superb Workmanship

    Tom

    Glad to see you get recognition for your innovative design. Truly goes beyond craftsmanship and into the category of what everyone would call art.

    If you get the chance, how about posting the picture of the fire-breathing dragon again.

    Hope to see you in Sacto.

    Paul Cooke
  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
    Wow!

    Tom,

    Just beatiful. It's all in the details!

    hb

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    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,405
    Nice!!

    This is one of the sharpest looking jobs I have ever seen. Where can I get some information on those modular pumps? -DF

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    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Steve Ebels
    Steve Ebels Member Posts: 904
    OK

    I have to know. Is that modular outfit available from any Grundfos distributor or is it a prototype. That would save gobs of time. And we all know that time = $$
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    Now THAT...

    should make even the Germans jealous!! Beautiful job Tom. I especially like the modified jacket for the Munchie. It dresses up quite well!! Great work. I hope we see it in mass production in the near future.

    This industry needs innovations like yours.

    ME
  • John Felciano
    John Felciano Member Posts: 411
    Awesome

    Job Tom,I'm glad your not in the same catagory as me.

    I look forward to see more about it in May.

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  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,405
    Real clean!

    Is that a 3 speed powerhead, also? And what are thase adapters made of? Steel?

    Nice concept :)

    hot rod
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Tom Simensen
    Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74
    Modular Manifold Info

    Hi Dan, Thank-you for your kind words. They aren't available yet, but should be by the end of the year. If you are going to REX this year stop by booth #336 and talk to the people at Precision Hydronics Products. They will be manufacturing them and would love to hear your input.
  • Tom Simensen
    Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74
    prototype

    hey Steve,

    It is just a prototype at this time, but It should be available in the near future. I think you will enjoy the ease of assembly and the

    flexibility of the sytem in general. Will also be available in a zone valve form. Tom
  • Tom Simensen
    Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74


    Hi Hot Rod,

    The powerheads are a three speed Grundfos.
    The pump housings and the return tees are cast brass, and the splices are a machined brass stock.

    Tom
  • Brian (Tankless) Wood
    Brian (Tankless) Wood Member Posts: 222
    Are O-rings really that reliable?

    What is the projected longevity of constant-circ systems using o-rings, versus metal to metal soldered manifolds. Beautiful work, but!.

    Wandering minds?

    Swampy.
  • Colin
    Colin Member Posts: 50
    WOW!!

    Looks Great,and am sure works as well. Sounds like all your hard work is paying off. I don't know of a more deserving person. Hope to see you in Calif.
    Colin
  • Michael B
    Michael B Member Posts: 179
    Very excited to

    learn more about this gorgeous modular system. If you have any information that you can forward please do so at the e-mail address above.

    Thanks,

    Michael Bleier
    Able Distributors
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,405
    Could you

    slide the checks down into the pump housings ala the 15-58? Also a small green neon light on the pump would be a nice touch. Get em from Radio Shack # 272-708A. Easy to drill into the plastic Grundfos junction box.

    Hmmmm wonder if I could slip a MixiMiser head into a volute at the the end of the line, for Mini Tube-ing :)

    I like the nice metallic paint job!
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Tom Simensen
    Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74
    great minds....

    we seem to have some of the same thoughts Hot Rod, I am in the process of milling the discharge on a couple units for the new

    15-58 internal check valve. I have attached a couple photos of an earlier prototype with a square D green indicator light and with Hubbel

    mini-quick moisture proof disconnect plugs. I think those Radio Shack LEDs might look better though. Bahama Blue (92 chevy truck)
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,405
    A couple more \"wish lists\"

    It would be nice to have some 1/4" NPT ports to install pressure gauges for testing delta P. Seems those nice brass castings would lend themselves to some flush, allen head, NPT plugs :) commonly found on larger pumps.

    Then ... could you build in some balance/ iso valve into the housing, and if it's not too much to ask maybe a purge cock to allow zone purging at each pump.

    This Watts valve is handy for that. It could double as the iso/ balance/ gauge port.

    I want it all!! Looks like "you the man" to make it all happen :)

    hot rod
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Tom Simensen
    Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74
    Great Ideas

    Those are all great ideas, and I don't see why we can't have it all in one easy to assemble module.

    Tom
  • Tom Simensen
    Tom Simensen Member Posts: 74
    O-ring reliability

    Probably not as permanent as a good old sweat joint, but they have been used with great success in most zone valves and some

    small circulators for a lot of years now. With today's O-ring compounds, I don't think they are a weak link at all.

    The compound used in this prototype was Ethylene Propylene (EPM) which is good for hot water and steam up to 300°.

    cold flexibility down to -70°. Once assembled, there should be no wear on the O-rings, and this compound is very resistant to aging.

    I believe it will be a good alternative to soldering, and will make for a very flexible system as far as changing the number of zones with very little effort. Tom
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