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Munchkin Contender install

Jim_65
Jim_65 Member Posts: 184
in THE MAIN WALL
the red rubber hose a temporary piping connection to the Grundfos circ?

What is the hose made out of and does it have an O2 Barrier?

Comments

  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    in my shop

    I installed this 99K Contender. HTP has done a very nice job of upgrading this product. Wiring terminal strip, copper sweat connections, excellent case and gasket, etc.

    I'll have a more in depth look in my product review in next month's PHC News.

    Lots of product here for the dollar.

    hot rod

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  • ALH_4
    ALH_4 Member Posts: 1,790
    hx

    How do they keep the plastic from getting too hot?
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    To hot for what?

    I suspect it is a composite of some sort engineered for temperature beyond what all the limit switches would allow?

    I've seen the prototype composite bodied Grundfos circulators. Seems to be the future is headed this way.

    hot rod

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  • ALH_4
    ALH_4 Member Posts: 1,790
    well...

    But pump bodies don't have fire inside unless something has gone very wrong. I guess I just felt the original Munchkin was cutting it pretty tight by using a plastic jacket, now they have extended that to the heat exchanger. I am all for simplicity to reduce cost, but I'm skeptical of plastic in this application. I'm even skeptical of aluminum in this application, however for different reasons. When counting on efficiency for some sort of payback, longevity is even more important. I wonder how long they project these boilers will last?

    Then again, I never cease to be amazed by what can be done with plastics. Hopefully these do not look like Salvador Dali boilers in 5 years.

    Am I just a crazy conservative when it comes to this sort of thing?
  • Kevin Koenig_4
    Kevin Koenig_4 Member Posts: 36
    Plastic pump bodies.

    Plastic pump volutes have been in use in europe for some time now. However the litteriture I have read with respect to these products states that the maximum allowable temperature is 150f. This will make it tough to make domestic hot water with indirect water heaters. Most US manufacturers are very sceptical of the liabilities associated with water damage from leaking pumps. Time will tell if this is going to pan out safely.
    K.K.
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    Not plastic, but composite

    which is a blend of two or more materials. Pump seals, spark plugs, space craft shielding, etc are some examples of composites that can operate in excess of 1800F.

    The idea, as I understand it is to get away from the expensive, and dirty, casting industry. Which we all know now gets jobbed out to pollution friendly countries :)

    hot rod

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  • John Ketterman
    John Ketterman Member Posts: 187


    In what ways is a Contender different from a regular Munchkin? I can't figure it out from their web page, except that it looks different.
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    Many of the contractor/ installer complaints

    have been addressed with the Contender. The case fits and seals well. Bottom connections in sweat to eliminate "wrenching" The wiring and connection points are cleaned up. 2" venting opens a lot of doors, especially for HydroPluse replacements :)

    Seems to be a love/ hate affair with HTP and the Munchkin. In all fairness Dave Davis and his crew have done more than any company to bring the mod con concept, and develop that market here. As you can see even the Germans are benefitting from HTP's pioneering. It's tough being on the bleeding edge some, if not all,the time. Nice to see a US company taking the chances to give the market what they are indeed asking for. Affordable high efficiency hydronic devices.

    hot rod

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  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928


    Isn't it just the surrounding cover for the combustion chamber with the actual heat exchanger stainless steel? Only in contact with flue gasses after they've transferred the vast majority of their heat via the heat exchanger?

    Even if a composite thermoplastic a quick Google search showed many capable of 500F plus and some significantly higher. Again, if a composite thermoplastic, all share two characteristics--1) they don't "melt" or otherwise deform due to excess temperature. They eventually char. 2) they are immune to chemical corrosion of the sort that could ever appear in a boiler.
  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928


    Haven't seen the actual boiler but was sent the manual months ago for review. Seemed quite well thought out and certainly very high on the value scale.

    How's service access for routine maintenance? Looks like it might be rather easy to disturb the ignitor.
  • chris_86
    chris_86 Member Posts: 53
    Perhaps you should go to work for them???

    And while you are there how about speeding up the $15,000-$20,000 they cost us to replace the defective fan units. I am so glad they have been at the leading edge in providing cheep equipment at our expense.
  • McKern
    McKern Member Posts: 71
    Depends...

    "Am I just a crazy conservative when it comes to this sort of thing?"

    Andrew, any plastic or composites in any key areas of your toaster? ;-)
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