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Author Topic: water to water plate exchanger  (Read 3284 times)

robdogtn

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water to water plate exchanger
« on: February 27, 2018, 02:52:30 PM »

I have a question, this is my second year with OWB, so far love it.  But this year when I have 2 showers going or my big tub my hot water can't keep up.  So I am thinking since absolutely nothing has changed, maybe my plate exchanger has some build up or crud develop in it?  Any thoughts or experience?  I have about pulled my hair out trying to figure this out.  I have check valves in to stop cold water from possibly going backwards with pressure drop, but still no luck, so throw me some darts!
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shepherd boy

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2018, 03:13:33 PM »

Is the flat plate plumbed in on the cold side of the water heater? With both showers on, what is the temp drop of the stove water going through the plate? If water comes out cold it is a lack of flow from boiler. If water is still relatively hot it is a heat exchange problem in the plate.       
       Others will have a comment on this I am sure.
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E Yoder

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2018, 05:44:45 PM »

^^^ Good points to check, it's most likely a pump problem or crud buildup. Return water temps will tell you what you need to know. How many seconds can you hold the return line with the showers running? I'm assuming it's pex.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2018, 06:04:20 PM by E Yoder »
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robdogtn

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2018, 06:59:14 PM »

my temps coming in from stove and going out don't change one bit.  That is what makes me think the plate exchanger needs a good soak in cleaner. 
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shepherd boy

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2018, 07:12:22 PM »

 I think your right. Hope its not too plugged up or the cleaner won't  get in. Then you will have to replace.
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E Yoder

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2018, 07:52:33 PM »

Or tee the domestic lines and pump some cleaner through.
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RSI

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2018, 08:15:43 PM »

Where is the check valve? If it is in series with the cold water line, it should be removed asap or you need to add an expansion tank on the water heater.

(This is assuming you have a well for water)
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shepherd boy

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2018, 04:11:39 AM »

Where is the check valve? If it is in series with the cold water line, it should be removed asap or you need to add an expansion tank on the water heater.

(This is assuming you have a well for water)
Well water or not that check needs to come out unless you got an expansion tank, your looking for an explosion.
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RSI

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2018, 06:30:43 AM »

I was thinking that they always had an expansion tank on the water heater with city water but maybe that is only when they have a pressure reducing valve on the supply?
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RSI

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2018, 06:32:17 AM »

my temps coming in from stove and going out don't change one bit.  That is what makes me think the plate exchanger needs a good soak in cleaner.

Did you have a hot water faucet running when you checked this?
Is the plate in series with the cold water into the tank or something else?
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shepherd boy

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2018, 07:50:41 AM »

I was thinking that they always had an expansion tank on the water heater with city water but maybe that is only when they have a pressure reducing valve on the supply?

 I own a house on public water, and there is no expansion tank in that house to my knowledge. Never thought about it, but it needs to get done, and needs to be at the water heater. I know there is a check on the incoming line.
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mlappin

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2018, 08:41:41 AM »

The initial cost is more, but I won’t install a flat plate without flush valves.

I use something like this: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Webstone-50613W-3-4-SWT-Webstone-PRO-PAL-Ball-Valve-w-Drain-Lead-Free

Get yourself a puddle pump with a garden hose adapter on it, place it in a 5 gallon bucket, run a short hose from the pump to a flush valve, run another short hose from the other valve back to the bucket, it helps if your hoses are hooked up to run the cleaner the opposite direction the water normally flows. I dump a gallon or two of cleaning vinegar then plug the pump in and let it run 20-30 minutes. If it cruddy enough you might wanna dump the dirty out and add more vinegar.
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robdogtn

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Re: water to water plate exchanger
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2018, 09:15:34 PM »

I have one of those valves in my line to drain.  Actually one on my house loop and loop to stove. 

I took exchanger off and back flushed it had crud in it from something I did to water heater over summer.  I thought I flushed heater without lines going to exchanger but evidently I failed.  I put in some cut off valves to eliminate that in future.  Also made some changes so I can pop off exchanger easy to fix in future. 

I should have noticed my temp coming out of exchanger not being correct and fixed sooner. 

Thanks
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