Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Plumbing => Topic started by: Flyfishjt on October 22, 2013, 12:06:00 PM

Title: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: Flyfishjt on October 22, 2013, 12:06:00 PM
I'm getting mixed opinions about my supply being plumbed in the upper or lower port on water to air heat x. Some say supply lower port to push air out of system and others say plumb to top port for better heat. Just wondered your opinion. I think I'm like the idea to push air up and out. Thanks
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: yoderheating on October 22, 2013, 03:51:37 PM
 Doesn't matter on the upper or lower of you are prefilling your lines as you should. What matters is that you install the supply to the outlet that is farther away from the blower. This will produce more heat.
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: slimjim on October 22, 2013, 06:01:28 PM
I would agree with Yoder on this except in a gasser where the air is being mixed quite well in the primary chamber, I normally use the top ports in our units as that is the hottest water out and the majority of the heat is in the base of the unit, I think it helps with circulation.
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: Flyfishjt on October 22, 2013, 07:17:39 PM
I get that the water would be hotter on top side but does it really make that big of difference in the 3 1/2" thickness?
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: slimjim on October 22, 2013, 07:43:03 PM
Maybe I did not understand, 3 1/2 thickness ?
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: Scott7m on October 22, 2013, 07:54:44 PM
Maybe I did not understand, 3 1/2 thickness ?

Thickness of the coil
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: slimjim on October 22, 2013, 08:32:48 PM
What coil are we talking about?
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: Scott7m on October 22, 2013, 08:47:26 PM
Heat exchanger,water to air hx ....

He wondering if it mattered if he entered at top or bottom, I've never seen it matter myself.  Never had any issues either way
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: willieG on October 22, 2013, 08:52:23 PM
i thnk any difference in minimal at best. the most imprtant thing i think is to make sure your exchanger fills the cavity you install it in so no air can slip around it (the blowing air will take teh path of least resistance) you want all the air in the duct to pass through the exchanger. my ductwork where i put my rad(s) runs hrizontal on the basement floor and i have 2, one sitting in front (slightly) of the other to fill the cavity(vertically) with all ports on top. i have never had any problem
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: yoderheating on October 22, 2013, 09:00:45 PM
It doesn't make a significant amount of difference but it does make it hotter. I've had guys who checked vent temps both ways and tell me they would see 5 degrees difference at the vents by installing the way I described. That may not sound like much but my theory is  that the hotter the air out of the vents the less the fan runs and the less electricity you burn. Might not be much but why not hook it up the most efficient way.
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: Scott7m on October 22, 2013, 09:06:08 PM
It doesn't make a significant amount of difference but it does make it hotter. I've had guys who checked vent temps both ways and tell me they would see 5 degrees difference at the vents by installing the way I described. That may not sound like much but my theory is  that the hotter the air out of the vents the less the fan runs and the less electricity you burn. Might not be much but why not hook it up the most efficient way.


Wanna save electric we need to look at pumps, there running 24/7.   I'm pleased with my Bumblee so far..

Most of the day it's only pulling 9-11 watts, during showers 34 or so, and maxed out at 42 when it's under heavy load

Pretty amazing
Title: Re: Upper or lower port for supply line to heat exchanger
Post by: slimjim on October 23, 2013, 03:51:36 AM
Sorry guys I misundrestood the question, I thought we were talking about at the boiler.