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Author Topic: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger  (Read 6692 times)

ptt811

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Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« on: November 25, 2011, 03:39:48 PM »
I just installed an OWB system in my house. I purchased HAL  water to air heat exchangers, they are all Aluminum, there is no copper in these.  I noticed last night water dripping from my Air handler and upon inspection I found the exchanger leaking. Now I can't see where it is leaking and I have now removed it and plan to get some fittings to test it to see where it is leaking. This is a brand new piece and I didn't do anything during the installation to damage it. It worked good for about a week then the leak started.

Has anyone had an experience like this with the same type or brand ???

« Last Edit: November 25, 2011, 03:53:14 PM by ptt811 »
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RSI

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2011, 05:05:21 PM »
Was is a lot cheaper than a normal copper coil / aluminum fin and did you get it for another reason?
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ptt811

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2011, 06:06:19 PM »
NO reason...when I ordered it the people i ordered it from called and said they were switching to this all Alum. coil and asked if it mattered to me ??? the price was the same and i told them it was ok to ship it. 
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willieG

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2011, 06:21:30 PM »
aluminum 120,000 btu is about 160 bucks the same size in copper is 200 bucks 
this was from doing a quick online comparison...dealers may do better
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RSI

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2011, 07:42:17 PM »
I didn't even realize anyone sold aluminum heat exchangers for OWBs.
Does it have end tanks like a heater core for a car or is it loops like a copper model?
What type of connections does it have?

You can probably fix it pretty easy. I have seen stuff that works similar to solder for use with aluminum. Or you could have someone with a TIG welder fix it.

But before either of these, I would see if you can just get it replaced. It sounds like it was defective.

Another thing you might want to check on is to make sure the treatment you use in your boiler is compatible with aluminum.
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Scott7m

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2011, 08:15:25 PM »
Yea like rbi said, ur treatment might not get along with aluminum.  I'd send it back and demand copper
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ptt811

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2011, 06:24:05 AM »
Yes it looks just like a copper one but it looks like where the loops are it might crimp into the tubes ?? as for the treatment I am using NU-CAL B-20 and according to there web site it is ok to use with copper or Aluminum.

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Bull

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2011, 06:40:16 AM »
Sounds like a manufacture defect, should be under warranty so I would send it back also.
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RSI

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2011, 11:42:03 AM »
This is the stuff I had seen for repairing aluminum but I have never tried it.
http://durafix.com/
If you cant get a free replacement, it might be worth a try.
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beeman

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2011, 08:30:26 AM »
you could put a hose over one pipe and you hand over the other put the coil into the bathtube and blow into the hose look ware the bubbles come from dont kned alot of pressor to find holes
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muffin

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2011, 07:11:22 AM »
I had an issue with mine, it was copper, but that doesn't really matter.  The HVAC guy accidentally put a screw through one on the coils when he installed it.  They silver soldered it and it is working fine now.  I would leak check it first to make sure it is a manufacturer defect.  They should at least pay for the repair if not replace it.
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bigbird1

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2011, 08:52:21 PM »
did you get a new one under warranty,  that one reason to buy new , they fix it when it isn't right .  i would make then send me a new one  . 
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ptt811

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2011, 03:22:48 PM »
Yes....I ordered it from an Internet company...CT wood furnace  I think is the name.  When I called her she didn't even question it and said she would send out a new one that day !  Told me to package the leaking one in the box that the new one came in and send it back. They even paid to have the old one sent back !!!..   It didn't cost me a penny and she sent me a copper one this time and it showed up 2 days later...  Works fine so far.  I am very happy with the service from CT wood furnace.

Sorry I didn't update you all.
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mober

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2011, 05:09:44 PM »
i bought my coil from them 2 years ago (copper)
i remember they had the best price and i got it fast with no problems...
its nice to know there are still honest small business owners.
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tulenutn2o

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Re: Leaking water to Air heat exchanger
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2011, 06:49:11 PM »
Quote from: mober on December 13, 2011, 05:09:44 PM
i bought my coil from them 2 years ago (copper)
i remember they had the best price and i got it fast with no problems...
its nice to know there are still honest small business owners.
It is usually not the small business owners you have to worry about. The big boys do not give a hoot. Mom and pop shops have to make a living.
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