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1
Plumbing / Re: Underground piping
« on: August 29, 2023, 07:37:11 PM »
OK, I'm getting 1" Thermopex from a local dealer. $1564 for 100' after taxes. That seems like more than I've paid in the past, but who knows what prices have done ever since the craziness of the past 3 years.
Does 1" Thermopex use regular 1" PEX fittings? Can I use 1" Sharkbites or 1" cinch rings on regular 1" fittings or is it a special size and need different fittings?
Does 1" Thermopex use regular 1" PEX fittings? Can I use 1" Sharkbites or 1" cinch rings on regular 1" fittings or is it a special size and need different fittings?
2
Plumbing / Re: Underground piping
« on: April 10, 2023, 08:33:21 PM »
I realize it would be resting on the bottom, but the actual amount of contact is minimal and the heat transfer from PEX through PVC and into the ground wouldn't be a ton.
I'll probably just wind up using Thermopex so I can get it locally. I'll be fine using the regular 1" stuff. I don't have a need for high BTU transfer, just maintaining a radiant slab in a well-insulated house.
I'll probably just wind up using Thermopex so I can get it locally. I'll be fine using the regular 1" stuff. I don't have a need for high BTU transfer, just maintaining a radiant slab in a well-insulated house.
4
Plumbing / Underground piping
« on: April 01, 2023, 08:31:48 PM »
I typically use Thermopex or similar for my underground piping. I know all of the benefits of it. I've done 4 installations with that type of pipe and one where I closed-cell spray foamed the PEX inside of plastic sheeting which also worked quite well.
I'm about to build a house. My retired builder friend suggested just running PVC in the ground and pulling my PEX through for the underground piping. Am I crazy for considering this? The air gap in there is insulation enough and as long as the PVC doesn't break, it should stay dry.
I'm about to build a house. My retired builder friend suggested just running PVC in the ground and pulling my PEX through for the underground piping. Am I crazy for considering this? The air gap in there is insulation enough and as long as the PVC doesn't break, it should stay dry.
5
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: conventional OWB
« on: December 29, 2021, 07:18:02 PM »
Maybe by the time your OWB is finished, global warming will have caught up and we won't need a OWB for heat anymore.
6
Plumbing / Re: Manifold Ciculation Pump Stopped Working
« on: June 11, 2020, 02:20:00 PM »
If power going out is what's making it get stuck, you could plug in a computer UPS to power it for the brief power flickers.
7
General Discussion / Re: Drill bits
« on: May 20, 2020, 10:10:28 PM »
Drill slow, use a good drilling oil. Norseman makes a good bit, especially if you use the slow and lubed approach. They should last a long time. If you're really drilling high carbon steel, a cobalt bit will help, but it can still be done at a low speed with lube with a standard quality HSS bit.
Drill bits:
https://www.amazon.com/44170-Norseman-set-de-Bit/dp/B00627C8ZU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=norseman+drill+bits&link_code=qs&qid=1590033141&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-2
Cutting oil:
https://www.amazon.com/Forney-20857-Magic-Industrial-Cutting/dp/B003X3ZKXI/ref=pd_bxgy_2/141-5762093-5951527?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003X3ZKXI&pd_rd_r=72a7aef2-1876-4c80-a579-375c75a38f22&pd_rd_w=zZVDP&pd_rd_wg=hdxZH&pf_rd_p=4e3f7fc3-00c8-46a6-a4db-8457e6319578&pf_rd_r=R8DJA05R5Q7H7FFYQ2WH&psc=1&refRID=R8DJA05R5Q7H7FFYQ2WH
This chart will work up to 1/2" for twist drills.
Drill bits:
https://www.amazon.com/44170-Norseman-set-de-Bit/dp/B00627C8ZU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=norseman+drill+bits&link_code=qs&qid=1590033141&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-2
Cutting oil:
https://www.amazon.com/Forney-20857-Magic-Industrial-Cutting/dp/B003X3ZKXI/ref=pd_bxgy_2/141-5762093-5951527?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003X3ZKXI&pd_rd_r=72a7aef2-1876-4c80-a579-375c75a38f22&pd_rd_w=zZVDP&pd_rd_wg=hdxZH&pf_rd_p=4e3f7fc3-00c8-46a6-a4db-8457e6319578&pf_rd_r=R8DJA05R5Q7H7FFYQ2WH&psc=1&refRID=R8DJA05R5Q7H7FFYQ2WH
This chart will work up to 1/2" for twist drills.
8
Equipment / Battery chainsaw
« on: April 21, 2020, 04:43:43 PM »
I decided to try out a Milwaukee M18 chainsaw. It uses a 16" narrow kerf chain. I had already sawed through two bullets in another tree I cut down before this video. The battery was about halfway used up at this point, too. Some nice fresh red oak. It's not a professional saw, but it's a solid performer in the "farm" style saws. I like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zca8InugwKE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zca8InugwKE
9
Heatmor / Re: 200CSS relief vent rubber ball
« on: April 20, 2020, 03:57:05 PM »
On mine, the top of the tank has a 1" or so pipe that goes vertical through the roof. It has a weighted rubber ball on it. It allows the water jacket/tank to pressurize up to about 2 PSI max. If there's more pressure or a boil over, the pressure or water vents out of the pipe by lifting the ball. It's simple
I don't know how the vent works on my dad's newer version Heatmor. I'd copy it if I knew.
I don't know how to replace the weighted ball on mine, either. I still have the ball, but not the weight. I don't know how heavy that weight was, either.
I don't know how the vent works on my dad's newer version Heatmor. I'd copy it if I knew.
I don't know how to replace the weighted ball on mine, either. I still have the ball, but not the weight. I don't know how heavy that weight was, either.
10
Heatmor / 200CSS relief vent rubber ball
« on: April 18, 2020, 08:59:47 PM »
I was draining my boiler today and after the water started flowing out, I remembered to remove the rubber ball that sits on top for the relief vent. When I moved it, the vacuum broke and water came out faster, but the metal rod that hung from the ball (weight) was missing. I don't think it's very important, but...I would like it to be as designed or better. My dad's newer version of the 200CSS has a candy cane hook where the relief ball is on mine. Is there a special vent in there or is it just a 180 degree bend in tubing that I could replicate on my own boiler?
PS: draining the boiler to move it to my parents farm to heat a greenhouse starting next season. I'll be selling this house soon and moving over there, too.
PS: draining the boiler to move it to my parents farm to heat a greenhouse starting next season. I'll be selling this house soon and moving over there, too.
11
Site Suggestions / Re: What happened to the site?
« on: March 27, 2020, 09:56:26 PM »
Musta caught the corona virus
12
Plumbing / Re: Flat plate and sidearm water heater heat exchangers
« on: February 09, 2020, 05:39:19 PM »
No room.
13
Plumbing / Re: Flat plate and sidearm water heater heat exchangers
« on: February 08, 2020, 05:49:30 PM »
It appears I have unlimited hot water, now.
14
Plumbing / Re: Flat plate and sidearm water heater heat exchangers
« on: February 06, 2020, 12:06:39 PM »
I'll explain the pictures. The flat plate had to mount horizontally because of the space I had.
Boiler water comes in the right side of the flat plate and out the left side. I have a bypass valve setup there just in case. Cold domestic water comes in the left side and out the right side. There's also a mixing valve on the hot output of the water heater so it doesn't come out as hot. Boiler water that exits the flat plate goes to the water/air heat exchanger in the furnace and then back to the boiler. I fired the boiler back up after this, so I'll know if I get hot water from the flat plate or not in a couple hours.
Boiler water comes in the right side of the flat plate and out the left side. I have a bypass valve setup there just in case. Cold domestic water comes in the left side and out the right side. There's also a mixing valve on the hot output of the water heater so it doesn't come out as hot. Boiler water that exits the flat plate goes to the water/air heat exchanger in the furnace and then back to the boiler. I fired the boiler back up after this, so I'll know if I get hot water from the flat plate or not in a couple hours.
15
Plumbing / Re: Flat plate and sidearm water heater heat exchangers
« on: February 04, 2020, 08:09:41 PM »
Right now it's about 65 degrees going into the water heater. After the flat plate, I hope it'll be nice and hot.