Back in the saddle again...

[rvtgr8]

The Doc says I can now go back to working on the plumbing. Started setting in my cast iron radiators in the hot tub area and found out real quick just how much strength my arm lost since Thanksgiving. Getting old is not for the timid. Shouldn't be too much longer for my water check for leaks etc. Of course I haven't fallen on my head or been attacked by a mountain lion so I ain't holdin' my breath.

I made my NoFo heat exchanger for my hot tub while I was recuperating. Of course I modified it which probably means it wont work, but I am very excited about trying it out. Propane is sky high, the weather has been cold and my pocket book is looking a little anemic. The only thing to cure any of this is hot water coming out of my big green Garn. Here I go again... %-P

 

[RowCropRenegade]

Welcome back, dude! Let's race to the finish line!

 

[flyingcow]

What happened to arm?

 

[Jim K in PA]

Welcome back Robert. Take it slow. The last thing you want to do is re-injure that arm.

Such things are the price we pay for "experience". Getting old is not too bad when you consider the alternative . . . but youth is truly wasted on the young ;-)

 

[Rick Stanley]

I'm glad you're back in action Robert. GIT-R-DONE

 

[rvtgr8]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I really do believe I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Flying Cow, I ripped my bicep tendon off in my right arm and had to have it surgically repaired. I was unable to lift anything that weighed more than a belch since Thanksgiving. :ahhh:

Robert

 

[dogwood]

We're in a similar boat Robert. Have had a brand new Solo Innova 50 and almost all the plumbing parts sitting in the garage for months while recent surgery on a herniated disk heals. Lost the entire hearing season, and this years tax rebate on that boiler since it's not yet installed. Damnedest thing is I moved the 2000+ lb. pressurized storage tank and that very heavy boiler into the garage by myself with no physical problem. Mid-November, moving an oak desk at work with two helpers and a disk ruptures. Go figure. You're right about getting older not being for the faint hearted. Isn't it frustrating waiting around while all that installation work is beckoning? Hope you're back on track soon. I know I can't wait, but have a minimum of five weeks to go if all heals correctly. Best wishes.

Mike

 

[flyingcow]

rtvgr8, glad your healing. I had a rotator cuff done last april. pretty much everything was tore off. Couldn't pick arm any higher than counter level. Came out great, took about 2 months before back to work. But you been out for a lond time. Hard to keep sanity. But for the 1st week had some good drugs, ddin't much care about nothing. i was more tore up about running out of the meds than the surgery. :coolsmile:

 

[Hankovitch]

Hello Robert.........yes indeed........welcome back from Hankovitch in SW Wisconsin.
I've been following your thread with great interest.
I recently purchased the GARN 2000 which was posted on the Garn Web Site. Will pick it up before June 1, per agreement with seller. My wife and I are converting our 36' x 104' barn into our home. We will use the GARN to heat it. We were convinced to NOT use in-floor radiant heat for what will be the basement (waste of $) but rather just use three Reznor heaters with blowers, running the Garn's hot water thru the Reznors to heat what will be three sections. One section/end will be garage and lawn equipment area, one section (other end) will be where we bring horses in-and-out to saddle them up or groom (no stalls), third section (middle) will be workshop. Our HVAC guy said why spend the big $ for Cadillac Heat for your vehicle - it won't care how warm or cold it gets, niether will your horses, just heat those two 'ends' of the former milking parlor with blowers. He saved us a couple months and many dollars! We will heat second floor (former hay mow) with in-floor radiant heat, and then third floor with radiators.
We are all interested in what is going on with your 'install'.....I see Jim in PA has already welcomed you back...so....
What do you have to report?!

Sincerely,

Hankovitch
FYI -- I posted an update of our project in a couple threads, thought two postings of the same info. was sufficient!
If you're interested in how well the sprayed foam insulation is working for us, see my post in the Forum thread titled
"Thanks Boiler Room! My Tarm is up and running"

 

[rvtgr8]

Hankovitch,

Just plumbed in two old cast iron radiators into what used to be my garage. I am going through the system tomorrow to check every joint. I have already turned the water into my pipes once only to find a 1" copper pipe joint unsoldered. Wet does not begin describe that little indiscretion. Barring anymore water festivals, I will have everything in place for a test burn within a few days. Of course I have been under that delusion before...

Once I get to the test and pass, the controls go in to place, I tile out my furnace room, and stop the bleeding (you know the bleeding that smells like a propane delivery?). It can't come too soon.

Robert :roll:

 

[Hankovitch]

Robert,
Wow, nice 'report'. I imagine you must be feeling nearly giddy with anticipation when you mention you oughta be ready for a first burn within a week or so! Doggone exciting in my imagination.
You mention adding water to your pipes, only to find a 1" fitting UN-SOLDERED....and 'wet' not beginning to describe the situation.
Yep, I can envision that one.
Brought to mind our first Spring in our farm house here. I got up about 4 AM to find a 6" deep, 50-foot wide river flowing across our front lawn - from the road in the West to our corn field in the East. The ditch along the road couldn't handle the water coming off the hills just to the West of us, so it all flowed across the road, then across our lawn. Thought I'd check the basement - good thing I did, there was about 8" of water in there! I woke up my wife and we were able to get a sump pump (which I'd purchased at a yard sale but never done anything with) going. It ran for about 5 minutes, pumping water out through the 1 and 1/4 inch hose I had shoved through a basement window (I had to break one pane of glass in the window to shove the short hose through)....then the hose came off the pump. I hurriedly shoved it back on....stood right over the pump (can you see this coming?!) and the hose let loose within seconds. Water shot up into my face, very muddy water (basement floor of our 150 y/o farm house is dirt + stone). Of course I just shoved it back on and repeated the scenario of a fresh spray of mud on my face. I knew after the second time this occurred, and my wife did not laugh, that I had indeed married the right woman! She admitted later that it was darn difficult to keep from laughing It makes me smile just to write about it now.
Praying that all proceeds smoothly for you.
Can't wait to see pix, and hear about your 'first burn'..........soon........!!
I am very happy for you.

Sincerely,
Hankovitch