Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: cando attitude on September 21, 2017, 07:25:04 PM

Title: Do it yourself water testing
Post by: cando attitude on September 21, 2017, 07:25:04 PM

Hello all,

I have a couple of questions regarding boiler water testing. 

1.). Does anyone conduct themselves or know of a testing kit to test all appropriate attributes of water in boiler?

2.). Once you add the manufacturer suggested amount of treatment to their boiler, how often does this last?  Can you over treat th water?  Etc etc!

Thanks guys....... gettin real close to "burnin" season down here in Ohio!  Although as I have seen similar posts today from others, it hit  92 here today.   I'm ready for some colder temps.

Cando

Title: Re: Do it yourself water testing
Post by: E Yoder on September 22, 2017, 03:40:44 AM

The time the treatment lasts would depend on how much water and what quality of water is added to the system throughout the year.
Too much nitrates can damage impellers I've heard.

Title: Re: Do it yourself water testing
Post by: shepherd boy on September 22, 2017, 05:14:40 AM

 I have a testing kit somewhere that tests nitrates, continuity, and PH. but have never used it. So I know the kits are out there. I'd have to look a little to lay my hands on it. Seems it cost about $500. We just send samples to mfg. for testing because they want a record for warranty anyway.

 Water treatment is 'used up' because of mineral in water, correcting PH, and stray oxygen elimination. Every situation is different, so it's hard to have a one size fits all amount.

Title: Re: Do it yourself water testing
Post by: mlappin on September 22, 2017, 06:31:48 AM

Quote from: shepherd boy on September 22, 2017, 05:14:40 AM

I have a testing kit somewhere that tests nitrates, continuity, and PH. but have never used it. So I know the kits are out there. I'd have to look a little to lay my hands on it. Seems it cost about $500. We just send samples to mfg. for testing because they want a record for warranty anyway.

 Water treatment is 'used up' because of mineral in water, correcting PH, and stray oxygen elimination. Every situation is different, so it's hard to have a one size fits all amount.

 :post:

I was going to say the same, manufacturers want a yearly test on record, if your stove is out of warranty anyways then a home kit might be worth it. Or you could shop around for a lab that does it cheaper.

Title: Re: Do it yourself water testing
Post by: BoilerHouse on September 22, 2017, 08:24:50 PM

Boiler water testing is not rocket science - you can easily test your own.  You may need to test more often at first till you get everything in range.  Then a couple times a year.  I included a link to some test kits.  No recommendation intended, it is just a random google search I did, but if I were buying, I would get the nitrate kit and pH litmus paper.  For 50 bucks, it would cover testing for up to five years.

http://www.woodboilersolutions.com/store.cfm