Heat Transfer Plates

Nikolai

Wondering on everyones opinion on the use of heat transfer plates when doing a staple up radiant system?
Also, one manufacturer recommends the use of non barrier pipe when using heat tranfer plates. They claim the O2 barrier pipe squeaks against the plates when it expands and contracts. Has anyone experienced this?

Merry Christmas everyone.

Weezbo

You must be the only one..

when is it notcieable?

Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes

Plates

We've always used plates for staple-up even though we live in a relatively warm climate. You can use low water temperatures with plates which has many benefits, i.e. maximizing condensing boiler efficiency, less heat loss, etc.

Non-barrier pipe? It may make less noise, but it's going to create havoc on any ferrous parts (boiler, pumps, x-tank, etc.)

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hr

When it comes to pex and transfer plates...

I would get a brand with an additional coating over the EVOH barrier. Seems the EVOH barrier is the source of some of the squeeks.

Also some brands of pex are OD challanged! I've heard some brands are a bit out of round or inconsistent OD. Ask the plate supplier for their reccomend.

Having to use silicone to keep the tube in is NOT an option for me!

Personally I like PAP tube the best for plates. Once you get the threading method down it's a good match. Very little expansion movement, no outer barrier to be concerned with squeeking, a nice tight fit. Loop ends form, and stay put, nicely. I could go on and on. But I won't

PAP and ThermoFin are the best match up from my practical experience.

hot rod

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Tony_8

I used

Wirsbo plates with HePex barrier tube and have absolutely NO noise. I think the non-barrier option is not one. I also think the person who suggested that has rocks in their head. The PAP option sounds good, but I can't imagine not kinking the heck out of it. I had a couple of kinks in the HePex as it was. The HePex fit nicely into the plates with the use of a rubber mallet.

eleft_4

Tony

It does not kink when, as HR said, threaded properly.

Merry Christmas

al

Unknown

Must-have. I personally think if you are doing staple up without plates, you could do just as wall doing a radiant ceiling install, and it would probably be about the same price (certainly would be a much lower water temp).

Lightweight plates can make noise if you have rapid, large temperature changes (on-off system, higher temps) and/or if expansion is not accounted for one way or another.

Heavy gauge plates don't make noise if used with manufacturer recommended tubing.

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