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Author Topic: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.  (Read 9928 times)

Timberwolf5000

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New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« on: April 15, 2013, 07:30:05 AM »

Good morning all. Let me start by saying thank you for have a place full of information about OWBs.

Here's the scoop.
Bought a Timberwolf5000 second hand from a couple that moved into home (now they are using geothermal).
After spending my sweet a$$ time hooking it up over the past couple months. I finally have a system that I
believe should produce comfortable heat for years to come.

Here's the dilemma, I'm now facing.

No heat is coming through my vents, only cool air  :o

The water at the boiler is about 180 degrees.
The pump seems to be working properly.
I have a tstat that controls both the OWB, and a propane back-up.

Any help or tips on getting this thing rolling would be excellent.

Thank you in advance.


 
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willieG

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2013, 07:42:38 AM »

sounds like an air lock in the pipeing . pump may sound like it is running but is it moving water?
if water at boiler is hot...start feeling pipes to see where they feel cooler. Many folks install a hose bib at the feed line at the boiler and force water through the system to chase air out.
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Timberwolf5000

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2013, 08:14:21 AM »

Hi willieG (harley reference?)

Thanks for the reply. Checked the pump yesterday(undid the line going into the house, turned pump on
and had water flow.) I can take a few pictures of the set up, and post here if that would help, get this
problem figured out.

Here's another thing I found. Pipes are warm at the OWB and at the HX, but cool in between (thinking
they are warm at the HX because the back up propane heat is blowing on the HX.)

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Timberwolf5000

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2013, 09:01:03 AM »

There is always a possibility the HX is getting clogged, but I just had it installed about 2 weeks ago,
everything seemed to be flowing through it before it was installed, this is a new start up, So I'm going
to check for air lock in the lines. I'll keep everyone update.

Thanks for the help all.
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yoderheating

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2013, 09:01:50 AM »

Sounds like an air lock or maybe you just have a valve off inline somewhere. Push the air out of the line using the method WillieG described and it should start working for you. If you were moving water all the lines would feel warm including the return.
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jerkash

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2013, 11:05:21 AM »

He said he was using ONE Thermostat to control the OWB and the propane backup.

Could this be his problem??
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RSI

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2013, 04:39:12 PM »

He said he was using ONE Thermostat to control the OWB and the propane backup.

Could this be his problem??
If it is a 2 stage thermostat it can be made to work. If cold air is coming out the vents then probably water flow problem.
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RSI

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2013, 04:42:36 PM »

Where is the pump located and was it a used pump? If the pump was used, the first place to start is make sure it is working.

If the pump is located in the basement, it is most likely airlocked. If you have a drain valve after the pump, open it and let a water run out and see if the pump sound changes.

Also, be careful how long you run the pump if it is airlocked. They can get destroyed pretty fast if run dry.
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RSI

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2013, 04:45:11 PM »

One more thing, if you open a valve after the pump and doesn't start working, it could be flowing backwards from the return. If it is doing that, closing a valve on the return at the boiler while doing it would prevent that.
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Timberwolf5000

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2013, 08:00:33 AM »

Ran out of time yesterday to try and fix 'er up, so I'll be out today in between bouts of heavy rain.
Here's a picture of the set-up that is running in the back of the OWB.



[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
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yoderheating

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2013, 11:29:32 AM »

Hook a water hose to the green valve and close the blue valve. Turn on the water for a few minutes until you hear no more air coming back into the furnace. If that don't solve the problem we can start brainstorming on some other causes. Which way is that pump pumping?
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RSI

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2013, 11:47:29 AM »

Hook a water hose to the green valve and close the blue valve. Turn on the water for a few minutes until you hear no more air coming back into the furnace. If that don't solve the problem we can start brainstorming on some other causes. Which way is that pump pumping?
The pump is on the correct way in the picture.

Stupid question but are you sure the valve before the pump is open?
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Timberwolf5000

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2013, 08:09:25 PM »

Well gentlemen, all the information certainly did help to get all
the air out of the lines, but something was a miss I still wasn't getting any
water to move past the flange on the outlet of the pump.
Here's the scoop apparently what I thought was the pump running was truly
that the pump MOTOR running, but the shaft on the impeller was snapped. See attached pic.

So off to Grainger in the morning I go. This I believe should be the last step in the process.

 

[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
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Scott7m

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2013, 08:10:37 PM »

Don't skimp on pump sizing...    :thumbup:
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Timberwolf5000

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Re: New to OWB communtiy: No heat.
« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2013, 08:28:00 PM »

Hi Scott7m,
was just going to get the exact same pump that was in there. I don't think the previous owners had problems
moving water.

Is there a good way to measure which one may be best?
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