rx7145
ArboristSite Guru
Hello,
I bought a Central Boiler (OWB) 4436 Jan. 2005. Ever sense then I can't seem to stop
modifying it. The first thing I did was put a circuit breaker in
place of the 3amp fuse. No more looking for a fuse at 2am when
creosote makes the draft door stick and blows the fuse. Later that
year I added one 80gal hot water tank for added capacity. Also the
water heater will kick on if the water temp gets to low and keep the
system from freezing. This System has worked well but It has a couple
set backs. Leaks- Try as hard as I can I just can't seem to get all
of them. They aren't big leaks at all, just a little dried Corrosion
inhibitor here and there. This means I need to add water (3-4gal)
once ever two months. Second the pump on the CB needs to be a little
larger and it cavitates at higher temps. (180'+). Here is my idea to
fix these problem and hopefully make the system better; have a semi-
pressurized system. Here is how it would work: Hot water would come
out of the CB and pumped through a 300k BTU flat plate heat exchanger
and go right back into the CB. Water in a closed loop pressurized (15-
20psi) system would run through the other side of the heat exchanger.
This water would still be treated (so I could use cast iron pumps)
and be pumped by another pump through the heat exchangers in the
house. This system would be auto filled with domestic water, just
like a pressurized boiler system. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
Water is under pressure so corrosion is at a minimum.
System will auto fill if water gets low.
Pumps will not cavitation.
Little to no air in the system. Auto air bleeders can be used.
After installing system should be Maintenance free.
CB water should last a year or more - like it should!
Cons:
Will cost over $500.
Will take a couple days to install.
Please give me your feed back.
Thanks.
I bought a Central Boiler (OWB) 4436 Jan. 2005. Ever sense then I can't seem to stop
modifying it. The first thing I did was put a circuit breaker in
place of the 3amp fuse. No more looking for a fuse at 2am when
creosote makes the draft door stick and blows the fuse. Later that
year I added one 80gal hot water tank for added capacity. Also the
water heater will kick on if the water temp gets to low and keep the
system from freezing. This System has worked well but It has a couple
set backs. Leaks- Try as hard as I can I just can't seem to get all
of them. They aren't big leaks at all, just a little dried Corrosion
inhibitor here and there. This means I need to add water (3-4gal)
once ever two months. Second the pump on the CB needs to be a little
larger and it cavitates at higher temps. (180'+). Here is my idea to
fix these problem and hopefully make the system better; have a semi-
pressurized system. Here is how it would work: Hot water would come
out of the CB and pumped through a 300k BTU flat plate heat exchanger
and go right back into the CB. Water in a closed loop pressurized (15-
20psi) system would run through the other side of the heat exchanger.
This water would still be treated (so I could use cast iron pumps)
and be pumped by another pump through the heat exchangers in the
house. This system would be auto filled with domestic water, just
like a pressurized boiler system. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
Water is under pressure so corrosion is at a minimum.
System will auto fill if water gets low.
Pumps will not cavitation.
Little to no air in the system. Auto air bleeders can be used.
After installing system should be Maintenance free.
CB water should last a year or more - like it should!
Cons:
Will cost over $500.
Will take a couple days to install.
Please give me your feed back.
Thanks.
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