Replacing T&P with air relief valve in Ergomax tank

[Deleted User]

to bad the tank manufacturers don't. I hate bushing down too, but have and have had acceptable flows through the GSHP's

I told Pierre that he should place an electric element in his tank for backup on geo jobs. Guess he wasn't listening either:-(

Maybe he'll see this and start offering his tank with mongo tappings sans copper coils. I'll sit over here and hold my breath.....................................

Going Christmas Shopping now.

ME

ME

Dave_61

Replacing T&P with air relief valve in Ergomax tank

We are going to pipe an Ergomax E65 tank as a buffer tank into our current system. We are not going to use the DHW connections on the Ergomax unless our Phase III cannot keep with with DHW demands at lower buffer tank temps (150, which I don't think will be an issue).
Since the tank will be communicating with the boiler, and the boiler already has a T&P relief valve, can we replace the T&P on the Ergomax with an air vent?
If we did pipe the Ergomax to preheat water for the Phase III, would we have to add the T&P back?
Thanks.
Dave

[Deleted User]

Sure, but...

the Ergo Max is an awfully expensive tank to use as only a buffer. Why that choice?

If you do pipe it up as a DHW preheater, I think it'd be a wise thing to put a T&P in the potable circuit, just to CYA.

As far as the hydronic side is concerned, provided that the tank piping is contiguous with the boiler piping, AND it is not possible to isolate the tank and still pump energy into it, I think you'd be OK. If in doubt, call the AHJ.

ME

Dave_61

Mark,

We looked at using other 80 gal tanks, but the ones with big enough tappings for our boiler (1.5-2"), etc were almost as expensive as the Ergomax. We thought about using an electric water heater, but the taps were so small it would have required alot of extra teeing and piping to make it work with our boiler (copper tube that needs a min flow at all times).
Let me explain what we are doing.....
Currently, we have a capped supply header with all our individual zone pumps including the one for the Phase III.
Then we have a capped return header with all the returns from the heating circuits.
We are going to tee the outflow pipe from the boiler goping to the Ergomax to the return header from the house at the base of the tank.
We will also tee the supply header to the pipe going back to the boiler at the top of the tank.
If for some reason, the Phase III can't keep up, we would then pipe the DHW through the Ergomax on its way to the Phase III and use the Phase III as a storage tank (expensive as it was originally). I don't think it will be a problem, though. The only time we notice an issue with the Phase III is when we fill up our jacuzzi.
The tank's aquastst will call for heat from the boiler at 150, and the boiler's operating temp is about 170-175.
Does that all make sense?
So, if we use the Ergomax as a strict buffer tank, it does not need its own T&P valve? But if we use it to preheat the DHW, the T&P would go in the DHW outlet pipe, like on the Phase III?
Thanks.
Dave

Joe Brix

I'd use both

Any reason why you couldn't put a Tee off the 3/4" T&P port and put both in?

If you're doing all this work anyway, why not pipe the E65 into the supply of the PHase III now? Pain to do it later.

Might want to look at TurboMax, might be less expensive
(www.thermo2000.com) They have a 70 gal unit also.

mark smith

any pressure vessel needs a Relief Valve...

you may call it a buffer tank, the Uniform Mechanical Code ..
calls it a pressure vessel

Dave_61

But

I can tee the air vent with the T&P valve, right?

dan holmes_3

look at the turbo max ergo max per them requires very high head circ to reach cap. Turbo max does not.

Joe Brix

Yup

TurboMax has fittings for both.

Dave_61

Dan,

Where did you see that? I don't see anything about circ on website.

hr

Ergomax pressure drop is all but zip

it's just a tank with large connections! The E 23 and 24 have a 1.7' of drop at a 20 gpm flow

The E 65 has a mere 3.3' at a whopping 50 gpm flow.

If you have the boiler HP to drive these suckers they will out perform anything out there. It's a tank jammed full of copper. Plenty of high quality HX surface in that tank.

The installation manual insists you have that relief on the tank. Warranty void without one. As the others suggested use a tee to vent and relieve.

I've used electric HW tanks for buffers. Unscrew the elements and buy a couple 1" male X 1-1/4" adapters. Ought to be able to move 15 gpm or more through that connection. About 1/4 the cost of those reverse indirects.

hot rod

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hr

Ergomax pressure drop is all but zip

it's just a tank with large connections! The E 23 and 24 have a 1.7' of drop at a 20 gpm flow

The E 65 has a mere 3.3' at a whopping 50 gpm flow.

If you have the boiler HP to drive these suckers they will out perform anything out there. It's a tank jammed full of copper. Plenty of high quality HX surface in that tank.

The installation manual insists you have that relief on the tank. Warranty void without one. As the others suggested use a tee to vent and relieve.

I've used electric HW tanks for buffers. Unscrew the elements and buy a couple 1" male X 1-1/4" adapters. Ought to be able to move 15 gpm or more through that connection. About 1/4 the cost of those reverse indirects.

hot rod

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

Dave_61

I also spoke with Ergomax,

and the E65 has a pressure drop of about 2-2.5' at 25 gpm.