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[EE Farm Boy]

Hello Gents.  I have an idea that may help everyone in the long run.  I am going through the process of planning and will be installing a P&M 28-40 throughout the summer before next winter.  There is lots of good information on the forum but it is in piece-mill format.  I decided, since I know nothing about boilers but being an engineer I am mechanically minded so I can learn, should start a topic that will take everyone through the entire process.  I will ask questions that I have and post pics as the process moves forward but I want to do it under one topic.  I plan on going through the entire process, from calculating heat loads, to designing the system, to installation.  This will be a several month process, but I think it would be good to share exactly the entire process and all of the questions that  newbie like myself has so everyone can see and learn.  If this is ok with everyone I will begin the process:

Thanks,

EE Farm Boy

[slimjim]

 Great EEFarm boy, how about some of you other guys getting involved as well,  what is your load going to be like, how many GPM's are you looking for and what size and brand of pipe will you be using?

[CountryBoyJohn]

That's a great plan!  I did that with my "My Stove Journey" entry.  It was kind of a journal for my project.  Got lot's of questions answered and logged in 1 thread.  One thing to do differently is don't post the pictures on THIS site.  Post a link to some other provider.  Eventually the pictures you post on here are going to be deleted.  Good luck with your installation!

[Pinehouse4]

I think this is an excellent idea. I will be doing a new install from top to bottom and therefore it would be helpful to me, as it would subsequent newbies.

Thanks,

Bob

[EE Farm Boy]

Ok, I will start by posting under this thread, what I did for heat loads etc..  By the way, any recommendation on free sites where you can post pics since not on this forum? 

Thanks,

[EE Farm Boy]

The first step calculating heat loads :


I just went through this same thing.  I pulled out the blue prints of the house and downloaded the trial version of this software[url]http://www.hydronicpros.com/downloads/[url].  Worked great as you can select the exact wall construction/windows, roof and floor for each room.  Since it is free they put a lot of limitations around it like, you cant save, you can't print etc.. and it closes automatically after 15mins of use.  But a little ingenuity can always find a way around things like this.  If you have windows you probably have the snip it tool which will let you capture anything on your screen copy to your clip board and then past in a powerpoint or word file.  I did one room at a time, then saved to a powerpoint.  Closed the program and then reopened to continue on for the next room.  Step and repeat and when you are done, add it all up.  I heard good reviews that it was very accurate. 

Taco website also has a free calculator as well which was close but there was some differences in the calculated BTU's, but I wanted to use at least two different sources to make sure it was right.  I guess it is the engineer in me. 

The software to select is heat load pro..
For my situation the BL28-40 will cover my heating needs but I live in North Carolina, very mild compared to most of you.

[EE Farm Boy]

Ok, several questions to follow, but I have been working on my plumbing diagram for my installation.  Can those of you who know much more than I, comment on my plans? 

1.  Did I miss anything?
2. Are the manifolds with balancing valves better to control the flow? 

3.How do you control the pressure in the closed loop system, is there a pressure regulator that I have missed on my drawing?

Updated*** added purge valve (hopefully in the right location), pressure regulator post pump, and a check valve (will only connect water hose to fill system then will unhook). 

Thanks,

[WoodMOJoe]

...By the way, any recommendation on free sites where you can post pics since not on this forum?...

I use Photobucket.

[slimjim]

Yes it is a watts auto water feeder and back flow preventer, I'm sure there are other brands but that's what we use here.

[EE Farm Boy]

Slim Jim,

where in the system should this go in the plumbing diagram, after the pump but before the manifold?

[EE Farm Boy]

I created a photo bucket library.  let me know if you can see the upload of my wood pile

http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/jackiejohnson2/library/?sort=3&page=0

[slimjim]

Yes on both questions.

[oaky]

I created a photo bucket library.  let me know if you can see the upload of my wood pile

http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/jackiejohnson2/library/?sort=3&page=0

Nice wood stacking there, EE Farm Boy.

oaky

[Coyote556]

Awesome thread and great idea!

[mlappin]

photo bucket, flickr, Picassa by Google or you could even create a free Facebook account and use it for nothing but picture storage.