Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: flashpnt on December 01, 2014, 12:28:28 PM

Title: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: flashpnt on December 01, 2014, 12:28:28 PM
For a hot water heater any difference from a side arm ex changer and a water to water plate ex changer.
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on December 01, 2014, 02:40:48 PM
http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=6792.0 (http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=6792.0)
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: userdk on December 01, 2014, 09:28:53 PM
Side arms are slow, easily plugged, and altogether a pain. Go with a plate exchanger. We've never yet had a problem with them.
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: Marktk on December 01, 2014, 09:32:52 PM
if you run a hot water return pump the side arm is great I  have had no problems and limitless hot water
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: Jwood on December 01, 2014, 09:51:04 PM
Side arms are slow, easily plugged, and altogether a pain. Go with a plate exchanger. We've never yet had a problem with them.

Can you explain how a side arm plugs easier than a plate exchanger?
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: userdk on December 02, 2014, 10:02:44 PM
OK, I take that back. I've never seen a plugged plate exchanger though and I have seen a plugged side arm.
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: Jwood on December 02, 2014, 10:44:47 PM
No problem I was just curious cause I've heard of plugged plate exchangers but haven't heard of a plugged side arm but that doesn't mean they don't get plugged  :thumbup:
Title: Re: SIDE ARM VERS. WATER TO WATER
Post by: Chas on December 03, 2014, 04:52:55 AM
I have a sidearm and had a plugging issue when I fired up this fall. The sidearm itself wasn't plugged but the 3/4" brass nipples that thread into the water heater on both ends of the sidearm were. It was really hard black stuff and I had to use a hammer and chisel to clean it out. Working great now. I'm thinking a small circulater pump might keep it from plugging again and it would also give me quicker recovery time.