Entran II radiant

Al Letellier

I recently did a consult on an older generation radiant system that has Entran II tubing. The tubing appears to be in good condition although it falls within the "bad" manufacturing dates. My question is this: Have any of you ever redone a system using this tubing? I'm thinking that due to the fact the only problem to date has been some corrosion of pipe nipples and the tubing is still quite flexible (mostly staple up and a small slab area), maybe we should isolate the radiant from the rest of the system through a heat exchanger to eliminate the oxygen getting to the boiler. Also, the system has no measurable flow control and the only temp control is with by-passes and ball valves.
I know it sounds like a cheap job, but this system is 15 years old and was installed by a reputable contractor. It's just a primitive, early version radiant job.
We have 165 degree water going to the slab (90 degree floor temp) and we have to get some control of the heat and reduce the temps in the tubing. Also, is there any prevetative maintenance that can be done to extend tubing life? No glycol in the system may have been the saving grace on this one.
Any input or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=248&Step=30">To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"</A>

hr

A few things

The cooler you can run it the better. Used to be we thought just the high temperature staple ups were at risk. Now I'm seeing even slab jobs at temperatures below 120 going bad. Certainly O2 ingress lessens at lower temperatures. That a plus for the corrode-a- bulls

I'm not sure there is an exact answer.

Don't flush the fluid! Doing so may flush out the plasticizers that are keeping it intact. Be interesting to check the ph.

Are you seeing signs of ferrous component deteriation? Is it a cast boiler? Did it ever have CP-3 or other chemical additives?

What is the date code. Some of the later E2 was back to Dayco. I haven't, personally, seen Dayco built hose failures. You may be worrying needlessly.

Do you have a crystal ball, or one of those 8 balls that you shake and ask questions?

Retro fit options running through you mind, yet?

hot rod

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Al Letellier

entran system

Thanks for the reply, hot rod! It is a cast iron boiler and some deterioration of piping nipples has occurred in the past. The date codes were confirmed by the local rep as being in the "bad zone". the system has never had any antifreeze solution to our knowledge.
I have been thinking about using a heat exchanger or indirect to separate the tubing runs from the rest of the system and installing mixing valves or maybe going P/S, but your comment about draining the systme has me concerned. I don't know how I could convert it without draining the existing water from the system...good thought to digest a while. Thanks for your input.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

hr

Drain and save

the fluid if you choose to install a HX. A plastic 55 drum or a bunch of 5 gallon buckets work.

Not a bad idea, to seperate. Whatever you do make sure the owner understands the situation regarding the questionable life span of the hose.

Hate to see em invest thousands and have the tube fail.

Any advice from the rep or manufacture?

hot rod

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Mark Wilson

Entran Onyx failures?

Have you guys ever seen a failure with Onyx. I have some Onyx which I stapled up during part of the house restoration for floor warming and one small slab but we have not hooked this up yet to the Vitola. Most of the mechanical is in place for this using a heat exchanger. I think I made extra work for everyone to isolate this stuff but I was worried about any O2 issues down the road with the Onyx or chemical breakdown.

Al Letellier

saving fluid

Do you think it makes a difference to save the fluid even if it's jsut water? I understand that the fluid may contain some form of deposits from the hose. I guess your point is to not put any more fresh water back in then possible?
Working on getting to our local rep on the issue and hopefully he will have some insight on the matter. Will let you know. Thanks

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"