My replumbing project

[warno]

To anyone still watching this thread that could help me out.

Is there any way to prevent ghost flow other than a zone valve? In my situation a check valve won't work because of direction of flow.

Here's the situation. When my storage to FPHX circ is running, charging storage, it's pulling water through my garage heating loop because the way the storage headers are plumbed. Last year this wasn't a problem because I wasn't following nearly the amount of gpm I am now. With this new plumbing the flow rate is almost 3 times more.

Here's some pictures for visual aid.

Blue line - supply from storage to FPHX
Red line - return from FPHX to storage
Orange line - garage loop supply
Green line - garage loop return

So is there any other option than to put in a zone valve to block flow?

 

[BoiledOver]

Wondering if a trap would work, similar to kitchen sink drain. Come out of the red line (in your photo) horizontally, then down with a 90° to begin the trap. No knowledge or experience of how far south to go, easy and inexpensive if it works.

 

[Bad LP]

The only guaranteed way I'm aware of is with a zone valve. My primary house was plagued with ghost flow through the zone pumps. We added check valves and that was a useless exercise. Rewired the zone manager and added valves and it has been trouble free for years.

A dropped trap works great on a water heater.

 

[warno]

The good thing is I already have a zone valve actuator from a diverter valve I had in place last year and the valve body is only $35 from supply house. Do I guess I'll just go that route and be done with it. Thanks guys.

 

[TCaldwell]

Just be aware of the added head pressure of a zone valve, the do make electronic ball valves.

 

[warno]

Just be aware of the added head pressure of a zone valve, the do make electronic ball valves.

That loop is pretty short with fairly low head loss. But I'll look into an electronic ball valve. Thank you

 

[warno]

Just another little update. I'm not 100% sure I was getting ghost flow through my garage loop. I started a fire yesterday and couldn't feel the supply line changing temperature at all while storage was charging. I'm thinking/ hoping it was simply a coincidence and that my garage loop just got done with a heat cycle when I felt it the other day.

On a side note I do believe the new plumbing and bigger FPHX are working. The boiler stays ahead of the storage by 10° or better. At least until the storage hits about 165 then the temps start to balance out. This morning my storage was at 170 and my boiler shut down at 172. I checked deltas last night and they were only around 2-3° on both sides when boiler and storage were reaching the 170 mark.

 

[cumminstinkerer]

By george I think you got her man, good to hear, now if I can just my storage in and have it work that well, still have to dream up a couple switches and relays and of course get the tank before I tackle it. Maybe I will through that issue out on a new thread of my own

 

[BoiledOver]

Just another little update. I'm not 100% sure I was getting ghost flow through my garage loop. I started a fire yesterday and couldn't feel the supply line changing temperature at all while storage was charging. I'm thinking/ hoping it was simply a coincidence and that my garage loop just got done with a heat cycle when I felt it the other day.

On a side note I do believe the new plumbing and bigger FPHX are working. The boiler stays ahead of the storage by 10° or better. At least until the storage hits about 165 then the temps start to balance out. This morning my storage was at 170 and my boiler shut down at 172. I checked deltas last night and they were only around 2-3° on both sides when boiler and storage were reaching the 170 mark.

That is fantastic news, so happy for you. Stay warm my friend.

 

[warno]

I just want to say thank you for everyone on this site that has helped me out. This is a great place.

It seems that my problems from last year are gone. Fingers crossed. I haven't had the boiler hit idle mode since the air lock circ issue. Everything is going great. Tonight might be the first time it hits idle. I just went out to check on things and the boiler was running at 190°F and storage was at 185°. There was about half split and some coals left in the firebox. I don't try to run it that high normally but I'm still getting used to loading since things are running different now.

My next project is building some more turbulator sections. I'm running flue temps near 500°F at peak burn, I'm hoping to drop that closer to mid 300s.

 

[maple1]

Two thumbs up!

 

[brenndatomu]

Building version 3 now?

 

[warno]

Building version 3 now?

Actually last season was the best season I've had with the boiler. I was really happy with how it performed. The only thing I've changed is the fire grate. I built a new one with bigger air passages and a bigger secondary air tube.

I decided this summer to sell the boiler too. It's up for sale in the classifieds here. Everything is going. If anyone knows someone looking send them my way.

 

[brenndatomu]

decided this summer to sell the boiler too. It's up for sale in the classifieds here. Everything is going. If anyone knows someone looking send them my way.

That's what made me think you were building a new one...didn't catch that it was all going...what's the plan now?

 

[warno]

That's what made me think you were building a new one...didn't catch that it was all going...what's the plan now?

I'm just looking to get the money from the system at the moment. I could use it for other things more important right now. Our house already has central heating and air so the boiler was only ever going to be "secondary". Maybe in the future I'll build another one but for now I'm just looking to sell this one. I plan on keeping it up until it sells. I know if I just leave it sit empty it'll be worse off so I'll keep running it as normal until somebody wants to buy it.

 

[warno]

I took a pretty cool video of my boiler with secondary flames rolling very well. I thought I'd share just for fun.

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