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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #50 on: September 26, 2018, 11:04:19 PM »
And then mounted the heat exchanger to the OSB which is secured to the wall studs
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #51 on: September 26, 2018, 11:05:47 PM »
The water heater has a 3/4" NPT port which I will be replacing with a nipple which the heater flexible hose will attach to
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #52 on: September 26, 2018, 11:08:08 PM »
With that in place, next I tackled the first heat exchanger which will be mounted in the air handler and provide heat to keep our tootsies warm.

The lower unit takes a 20" X 20" air filter, so that's the size I selected for the HE
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #53 on: September 26, 2018, 11:08:54 PM »
I will have to sweat on some 1" copper PEX fittings
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #54 on: September 26, 2018, 11:11:48 PM »
I had an electrostatic air filter fitted when the house was new. That lasted a couple years and just like our computer controlled vehicles became unreliable and was disconnected and removed. The casing remains and it is a perfect spot to mount the new HE
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #55 on: September 26, 2018, 11:13:07 PM »
And...IT fits!
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #56 on: September 26, 2018, 11:16:14 PM »
I'm really liking this so far. With some minimal metal work I'll be able to seal the HE in place and construct a new door for the filter

Speaking of doors, the factory unit was filled with wires and electronics. I made all that go away
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #57 on: September 26, 2018, 11:18:26 PM »
And here is the 1" PEX I picked up at Home Depot. It retails for $74 for 100 feet. With my discount I am paying $67 for the roll.

I think I will end up needing three rolls total
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #58 on: September 26, 2018, 11:22:28 PM »
That stuff is a bear to work with. There must be a way to lay it out in the sun and warm it first because, it is a sweaty workout forcing that stuff where you need it to go.

But force it I did as I started to run the lines from/to components

The lines slide over the ridged nipples then are secured with a stainless crimp ring and a special pair of ratcheting pliers that really put the squeeze on things
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #59 on: September 26, 2018, 11:24:35 PM »
First connection completed

This PEX is not very flexible at all. the installation makes for a very solid assembly when crimped up

I routed the first three lines up to the overhead joists and taped and zip tied them to existing AC lines.
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #60 on: September 26, 2018, 11:25:37 PM »
Lines getting installed
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #61 on: September 26, 2018, 11:27:25 PM »
This corner of the wood shop is the point where the lines will exit the building to meet the special triple wraped outside insulated pipe
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #62 on: September 26, 2018, 11:30:14 PM »
This is the totality of the lines that run to/from the lower air handler

The boiler water will travel first to the air handler HE, then to the hot water heater plate HE, then up to the small 24 X 24 garage to another heater/air handler unit that will mount to the ceiling and heat the garage. From there the cooled water will continue back to the boiler to repeat the process.
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Offline Nate

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #63 on: September 26, 2018, 11:32:41 PM »
Can you please educate me on what a (20 plate) heat exchanger is?
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Offline stlaser

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #64 on: September 26, 2018, 11:58:11 PM »
Can you please educate me on what a (20 plate) heat exchanger is?

Sounds like H after she lost the election to Trump!  :tongue:
Living in the remote north hoping Ken doesn’t bring H up here any time soon…..

Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #65 on: September 27, 2018, 12:01:24 AM »
Can you please educate me on what a (20 plate) heat exchanger is?
I'll try
You know how one of those old cast iron water registers things worked/ looked like?

Well this is very similiar. The plates have hot water on one side flowing from the boiler, and cold water on the other side that in my case is going on to fill the water heater tank.

The two "waters" cannot touch each other and do not mix. They are simply separated by a stainless steel plate that allows the heat to be wicked off the steel into the colder water

Basic Physics: Heat moves from hot to cold.

Another physics lesson: SO how does the thing work exactly?
Well as the water on the cold side of the heats and expands, it becomes pressurized to some extent. The added pressure within the already pressurized vessel is simply an expression of the heat. So the water in the hot water tank is somewhat cooler and at a lower pressure than in the plate exchanger, and pressure will seek to equalize, the heated water will migrate into the tank and over time warm the entire tank up to equalize temps and pressures everywhere.

Now once the Misses gets in the shower and takes an hour long rinse off, the bulk of the hot water is evacuated. Now as water is flowing past the heated plates it wicks off the heat and the plate HE then acts more like an instant on demand water heater and the woman of your life remains complaint free.

Make sense?
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #66 on: September 27, 2018, 12:02:35 AM »
Can you please educate me on what a (20 plate) heat exchanger is?

Sounds like H after she lost the election to Trump!  :tongue:

How did you work something that dumb into this intellectual discussion?

Some steel beam fall on your noggin over at that new shop of yours????
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Offline stlaser

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #67 on: September 27, 2018, 12:42:58 AM »
Not my shop yet Boss, hopefully sorting those details out Friday
Living in the remote north hoping Ken doesn’t bring H up here any time soon…..

Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #68 on: September 27, 2018, 05:58:52 AM »
Don, I want to say that a heat gun helps with the pex coil memory.  Maybe someone can chime in.
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Offline DDS

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #69 on: September 27, 2018, 06:41:31 AM »
And here is the 1" PEX I picked up at Home Depot. It retails for $74 for 100 feet. With my discount I am paying $67 for the roll.

I think I will end up needing three rolls total

Don, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. That pex is for potable water use only, and not to be used in a hydronic system. You need Pex with an "oxygen barrier" for that application. Using the Pex you purchased will promote bacterial  growth, turn the water foul & murky over short time.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2018, 06:44:25 AM by DDS »

Offline DDS

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #70 on: September 27, 2018, 07:09:54 AM »
Also, in a closed loop system, you need to provide a means of expansion. How will you be doing that? You are going to need a monster pump to overcome the pressure loss going through that heat exchanger & the 2 hydro coils. If you insist on piping the system this way, I would install the H/E feeding the water heater last. Incoming cold water is going to rob all the BTU's from the hydronic side of that heat exchanger leaving piss warm water coming out. Granted you really only need 140deg for hydro air, you're cutting it close putting that heat exchanger in between the coils. I'll be completely honest. If I were to go into a house that had a piping  system you're about to install, I'd cringe & rip it all out. You will have no control with just 1 loop. Please PM me & I can give you my number & all the advice you want. I'd hate to see you spend all this money & not be happy with the results. Or, you can completely disregard everything I've said & carry on.

Offline cudakidd53

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #71 on: September 27, 2018, 07:20:26 AM »
And here is the 1" PEX I picked up at Home Depot. It retails for $74 for 100 feet. With my discount I am paying $67 for the roll.

I think I will end up needing three rolls total

Don, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. That pex is for potable water use only, and not to be used in a hydronic system. You need Pex with an "oxygen barrier" for that application. Using the Pex you purchased will promote bacterial  growth, turn the water foul & murky over short time.

I envision the famous flat tire scene from "A Christmas Story" and Don playing the part of Ralphie......  :sad:
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Offline Nate

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #72 on: September 27, 2018, 08:23:32 AM »
Can you please educate me on what a (20 plate) heat exchanger is?
I'll try
You know how one of those old cast iron water registers things worked/ looked like?

Well this is very similiar. The plates have hot water on one side flowing from the boiler, and cold water on the other side that in my case is going on to fill the water heater tank.

The two "waters" cannot touch each other and do not mix. They are simply separated by a stainless steel plate that allows the heat to be wicked off the steel into the colder water

Basic Physics: Heat moves from hot to cold.

Another physics lesson: SO how does the thing work exactly?
Well as the water on the cold side of the heats and expands, it becomes pressurized to some extent. The added pressure within the already pressurized vessel is simply an expression of the heat. So the water in the hot water tank is somewhat cooler and at a lower pressure than in the plate exchanger, and pressure will seek to equalize, the heated water will migrate into the tank and over time warm the entire tank up to equalize temps and pressures everywhere.

Now once the Misses gets in the shower and takes an hour long rinse off, the bulk of the hot water is evacuated. Now as water is flowing past the heated plates it wicks off the heat and the plate HE then acts more like an instant on demand water heater and the woman of your life remains complaint free.

Make sense?

trackin now
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Offline stlaser

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #73 on: September 27, 2018, 09:03:17 AM »
Wow, pilut talking physics. Think I recall a lesson on that in your book & how a helicopter defies logic.

Then a lesson on how to keep HH6 complaint free, who’d a thunk it.....

 :tongue:

Living in the remote north hoping Ken doesn’t bring H up here any time soon…..

Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #74 on: September 27, 2018, 09:58:57 AM »
Hmm, Don is quiet after that info. Hope it works out. Wasn't there a note about using US pipe as in made in Kansas, I think I see a china stamped on that.

Dave, they have crazy burn laws out here. I am not in one the zones though and still have a real fireplace. I also think wood burning for home heating is exempt, was here last I checked. 
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Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #75 on: September 27, 2018, 01:48:31 PM »
oh, snap.
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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #76 on: September 27, 2018, 01:59:26 PM »
By the way I think its a great idea, same reason I went solar, my summer bills were killing me. NG is reasonable out here and heats the house and soon the pool.
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #77 on: September 27, 2018, 03:06:36 PM »
Not my shop yet Boss, hopefully sorting those details out Friday
Hope ya get it!
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #78 on: September 27, 2018, 03:11:05 PM »
And here is the 1" PEX I picked up at Home Depot. It retails for $74 for 100 feet. With my discount I am paying $67 for the roll.

I think I will end up needing three rolls total

Don, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. That pex is for potable water use only, and not to be used in a hydronic system. You need Pex with an "oxygen barrier" for that application. Using the Pex you purchased will promote bacterial  growth, turn the water foul & murky over short time.
Are you sure?

I say that because the boiler system, once it has been properly bled and purged gets a chemical supplement added to it that stops all corrosion. Not sure about bacterial growth, but one has to wonder just how much bacteria is going to be growing in water that does not see the light of day and is above 180F.

I asked several times about the PEX and have been told repeatedly that the regular cheapo white PEX is fine for a boiler application.

I'll ask again.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2018, 08:31:46 PM by Flyin6 »
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Offline DDS

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #79 on: September 27, 2018, 03:17:52 PM »
I'm positive. the label on your pex clearly states "for use with potable water only"
« Last Edit: September 27, 2018, 03:19:50 PM by DDS »

Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #80 on: September 27, 2018, 03:33:22 PM »
I'm positive. the label on your pex clearly states "for use with potable water only"
The tubing complies with ASTM F877-2011a, which I think makes it applicable for hot or cold water and radiant heating systems.

I texted the boiler manufacturer and he said the tubing I am using is fine.

Further, and just to be sure, I have sent an email to Apollo, the manufacturer to get their read in on it.

I think that with the pipe meeting ASTM F877-2011a, that pretty much says it all.
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #81 on: September 27, 2018, 03:48:55 PM »
This tubing is fine

Take a look at this YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvDxsOE-YOc

Mine is an open system with a vent to the atmosphere
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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #82 on: September 27, 2018, 04:02:46 PM »
Dodged another bullet there it seems, good all around I hope.


Maybe something a little smaller for the farm later? Would be even more self sustaining that way as long as you have chain saws that work,,,,,,,
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #83 on: September 27, 2018, 04:52:54 PM »
Dodged another bullet there it seems, good all around I hope.


Maybe something a little smaller for the farm later? Would be even more self sustaining that way as long as you have chain saws that work,,,,,,,
Very funny!

I actually wanted to build my own unit for farm use. Would only need to be half the size of the unit I just purchased to heat the shed, camper and a sensible sized house.
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #84 on: September 27, 2018, 04:54:35 PM »
Tim texted

Have an inbound on the boiler...Delivery set for Oct 6-7.
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Offline stlaser

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #85 on: September 27, 2018, 05:07:30 PM »
This tubing is fine

Take a look at this YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvDxsOE-YOc

Mine is an open system with a vent to the atmosphere

You can’t trust that guy in the video.....


He’s white and male!  :tongue:
Living in the remote north hoping Ken doesn’t bring H up here any time soon…..

Offline EL TATE

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #86 on: September 27, 2018, 05:45:59 PM »
This tubing is fine

Take a look at this YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvDxsOE-YOc

Mine is an open system with a vent to the atmosphere

You can’t trust that guy in the video.....


He’s white and male!  :tongue:


Bwahahahahahahahahaha!
« Last Edit: September 27, 2018, 05:46:47 PM by EL TATE »
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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #87 on: September 27, 2018, 06:32:36 PM »
But there is just one, not a panel and I think Don could hold his own.
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Offline moto123

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #88 on: September 28, 2018, 02:20:58 PM »
Just to summarize for anyone following along.  The comments made by DDS are definitely true, but in my opinion are not the ONLY solution.  Which is why you are getting conflicting information.  This is a good, better, best situation.  In a commercial installation I agree with DDS, we would recommend oxygen barrier PEX.  It is the best solution.  It reduces the ingress of oxygen to the system prolonging the equipment life, primarily heat exchangers and pumps.  Excess oxygen flowing in a system can cause cavitation on the pump impeller, which will wear out faster.  The bacteria growth, while potentially an issue, I have not seen become a problem that can't be handled by a good water treatment plan.  So I am less concerned about that.  If you don't maintain the water, then yes bad things can happen.  At the opposite end of the spectrum, the good solution if you will, is a completely open hydronic system.  Historically this used to be common before hydro-pneumatic tanks existed.  There is simply a large tank at the top of the system that is kept pressurized either by gravity (located above the rest of the system) or by air pressure from an air compressor.  The tank is half full of boiler water, half air.  This does work, is simple to understand, and is cheap, but eventually the air circulating in the system will wear out and corrode components.  The in between, better solution, is what Don appears to be implementing.  It sounds like he is going to pressurize the system with a hydro-pneumatic tank, use an air eliminator, chemical treatment designed around his boiler and heat exchangers, etc.  But he is probably going to skip some of the last 5% of the details that would get the system to the best category, the oxygen barrier pipe being one of them. 

So the commercial plumbing world should pick the best solution, the average joe DIY garage heating hydronic system can probably get away with the good solution, and everyone else is in the middle.

I do recommend you separate the HWS and HWR piping from touching each other and insulate them.  Also there were concerns about the water temperature before and after the heat exchangers.  The simple formula for the leaving water temperature, assuming you know the other factors, is below.  BTUH is the BTU heat transfer of the heat exchanger per hour.

Entering water temperature - Leaving water temperature = BTUH / (GPM x 500)


Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #89 on: September 28, 2018, 07:37:48 PM »
Good to see some discussion and recommendations coming from this

So regarding the use of this PEX, it is THE correct PEX pipe to use with non pressurized, vented to the atmosphere systems like I own. You could use oxygen barrier if you wanted and pay twice the cost of the stuff I am using. If that makes you feel better, I'd say go for it.

Tim has hundreds of these boilers in service...HUNDREDS. All across the midwest and they are plumbed and running with the normal, routine white low cost PEX.

Tim recommends the owner change out the water once a year before the heating season begins. With each "fresh tank" of 300+ gallons, a chemical additive supplements the water to keep the metal and other things from corroding.

This system is not really pressurized. The water will be pumped via two small circulation pumps that have been sized for the rise and fall (elevation) at my home. They simply run all the time. The heated water is always circulating through the lines. If there is a demand for heat, then a thermostat will call on the blower in the air handlers to start which will push air through the HE and distribute it throughout the house.

There is a temp bulb in the water of the boiler tank. When it falls below the preset temp (Something between 180F and 190F, it signals a fan to push air into the burn chamber which "Fires up" the smoldering embers and makes more heat.

The garage heaters are small air handlers which operate according to an adjustable thermostat that I set to the desired temp.

As for the exposed PEX...I addressed that with a couple (5) boiler manufacturers/sellers and they said once you are inside the heated structure, they do not recommend insulating the PEX, as it acts as a cheapo radiant heat source adding additional heat to the rooms. I will insulate the portion that will be routed through the attic and exposed in the garage (Maybe) but that's it.

I think its important to note that these systems are very simple in concept, construction, and operation. I don't think anyone needs to overthink the thing. Just install the parts correctly and allow it to amaze you. Then fine tune as your particular application/desires may dictate.

That's what I think about all this.
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #90 on: September 28, 2018, 07:40:44 PM »
Oh, and I got a reply from an engineer at Apollo, the manufacturer of the PEX I am using. He says the product I am using will work fine in the application. It is commonly used in boiler applications that remain below 200F and are not highly pressurized.

So, folks, it is looking like a preponderance of the evidence points to the regular PEX is well suited to wood fired boiler installations.
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #91 on: October 06, 2018, 02:35:12 PM »
The boiler was delivered today

Tim personally delivered it and spent a goodly amount of time talking to me about it, its design, operation, installation tips and so forth.

As a take away from all that, my over-riding feeling is: This is simple, nearly bulletproof, and we need not over think it.

Tim is a total gentleman. He is an honorable business man and he delivered on everything he promised. The only negative I see from all of this is...Well, I don't see a negative. So far, the man, his company and this boiler and the purchase process is an A++ (If there is a rating that high.

No pics at the moment, but just wait until you see what you get for the money. This total package has come in at about 50% the cost of the Central Boiler unit. There is just no way that any other unit is worth twice what this quality unit I have costs. The high prices are simply the result of a multi-tiered marketing system, a substantial overhead from larger manufacturing facilities and all the sundry costs. With 7,000+ plus units sold, Tim definitely has it going on.
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #92 on: October 06, 2018, 02:54:37 PM »
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #93 on: October 06, 2018, 05:58:16 PM »
OK, got some pics of the thing
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #94 on: October 06, 2018, 06:01:07 PM »
It will sit right outside the small garage on a seasoned concrete pad, where the walkway from the screened porch meets.

Dried wood will be stored just inside the garage door in the heated garage (Read: Dry fuel wood)
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #95 on: October 06, 2018, 06:02:25 PM »
Detail of the 24" X 24" front door and the water level indicator
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #96 on: October 06, 2018, 06:03:56 PM »
Here is the temp control. By increasing/decreasing the temp here, the solenoid that opens/closes the draft door is controlled
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #97 on: October 06, 2018, 06:04:58 PM »
Door and handle is robust!
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #98 on: October 06, 2018, 06:05:54 PM »
The box contains a spare solenoid that comes with the boiler
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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #99 on: October 06, 2018, 06:12:58 PM »
It is difficult to see the size and depth of the thing, but here is the actual burn chamber.

What I find really cool about this is that Tim uses vintage Propane storage cylinders, repurposed for the opposite (Keeping fire in) than originally intended. He said most of the tanks he gets are 1950's vintage tanks and are in such good condition that often, when he cuts them apart, the stenciling from more than half a century is still clearly visible on the inside. He says the steels from that time were much better than the steel available today, and the design and thickness of the cylinders makes the tanks perfectly suited to this application. He says with over 7,000 units in service, he has never had a firebox fail or wear out.

The diffuser thing you see is at the top and has an aft facing intake of hot gases. Interestingly only about half of the burn chamber is actually ever used. The idea is to keep a pile of "Coals" up front, raking them there every day, and stacking the new fuel, 3-5 logs on top to provide another 12 hours of heat, and keep the rest of the chamber open to keep maximum surface available for heat transfer.
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