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[hrc200x]

I am shopping around for a outdoor boiler. Leaning towards a Heatmor 200 and am wanting to do as much of the install as possible. I am mechanically inclined, I have detailed instructions on how to lay out all the plumbing, I've watched videos on soldering tips, now I'm shopping around for the parts such as, 1" pex from house to boiler, water to water heat exchanger, domestic water heater, shut off valves, pumps, etc. Is there a good web site that sells quality stuff for a good price?

[CountryBoyJohn]

There are a few.  Here are two.

http://www.pexsupply.com/

http://www.altheatsupply.com/

I used Pex Supply for all my fittings and such.  Over $300 is free shipping.  I got my pumps and exchangers from my dealer.  A word of advice, if you go with cinch rings, get the $140 cinch tool, not the $80.  The cheaper one will leave you needing hernia surgery.  It works as it should, but the ratchet action just prevents the tool from opening back up.  The expensive one has a true ratchet action.   

[hondaracer2oo4]

I ordered all my pex stuff from pexsupply.com. This guy http://www.ebay.com/sch/freeheat4u/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=   has some decent priced pumps and hx etc., most are free shipping.

[hrc200x]

Would a person use oxygen barrier pex from the boiler to the house? How come its over a $200 difference for Mr Pex brand 1"x300' roll vs Rifeng 1"x 300' roll. The boiler I'm planning on using is stainless so corrosion isn't should be out of the question.

Would this be a good heat exchanger: http://www.ebay.com/itm/390587879230?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Its only a 1400 sq. ft house but poorly insulated in northern Minnesota. From what I've heard oversizing when it comes to heat exchangers doesn't matter just cost more money.

Thanks for the links.

[ITO]

 Oxygen barrier piping is for pressurized systems, you won't need it with a typical OWB.
 Stainless boiler will still need attention to water quality to make the long haul, there are many threads on this if you look back, plenty of people that are not necessarily stainless fans, plenty that are believers also.

[yoderheating]

 I use pex supply for a lot of my fittings.
 Stainless is not a guarantee of no corrosion problems. It does increase the life of the furnace considerably if you take care of it. But put stainless in contact with a corrosive situation for long enough and it will start pitting. Follow the manufactures recommendations on how to treat the water and you will enjoy many happy years of heating. 

[Flyfishjt]

Ditto pexsupply.com they are way cheaper then any big box store and if have leftover parts call them and they will send you a return label free of charge. Now for the freeheat4u guru! I called and bought my water to air exchanger and both a side arm and plate x (didn't know at time witch one I was gonna use) and while I was on phone with him he talked me into a solenoid and relay so I could just run one T-stat (didn't use either went with dual stats) when I had called to see about returning he said I can't cause it was electrical part so I asked about returning side bar and he said it's been more than a week. But all in all he was very cheap and I have some copper to scrap in the future.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Thats to bad that he wouldn't take stuff back, usually some type of tradeoff though for cheaper prices.

[RKMorris]

I did my install this year, and got all of my parts from Badger insulated pipe - I looked around a bit, and they seemed to have some of the best options (I wanted a 4 pipe system). Shipping was free and fast, and they were great to work with, Good luck with your install!

[hrc200x]

Thanks for the input, yes the pex supply site is about $2 cheaper on a $3 part compared to menards. Am I missing side arm heaters on the pex supply site? I don't see them.

Also with side arm heaters there are copper and stainless. If I go with stainless are the fittings threaded or can you solder copper pipe to stainless? Is anyone offering a double walled copper unit? 

[CountryBoyJohn]

Are you set on a side arm?  I would recommend a plate exchanger for several reasons.  But, I'll start with personal experience.  Last weekend, I filled my hot tub, 400 gallons, in about 3 hours, with HOT water.  I ran a hose from the tub to my hot water side of my washing machine port and turned it on full blast.  When the tub was full, it said the water temp was 110 degrees.  I don't think you can do that with a side arm.  Additionally, I didn't have to do ANYTHING to the hot water tank.  I just switched lines coming in and out around. 

[hrc200x]

I guess not totally set on a side arm but I live alone, do laundry once every week and half, quick shower and wash a few dishes by hand, I don't use much hot water. Do you have any pictures of your square heat exchanger mounted to your water heater? My water heater is in a place where I walk by it often so thought a side arm and the lines to and from it would be more stream lined and not bulky but thats what I had pictured in my mind I havn't see any pictures of the other way yet.

[CountryBoyJohn]

Ok, I may have to rescind my plate exchanger recommendation.  Your living conditions may actually be better suited for a sidearm.  The sidearm is better suited for intermittent usage.  The plate exchanger works better with constant or regular usage.  Living along and using so little water won't go well with the plate. 

[Jack72]

Ok, I may have to rescind my plate exchanger recommendation.  Your living conditions may actually be better suited for a sidearm.  The sidearm is better suited for intermittent usage.  The plate exchanger works better with constant or regular usage.  Living along and using so little water won't go well with the plate.

I have both I got the 20 plate after I wasn't happy with the sidearm on (40 gal tank).   keeping up with the woman (3) in my house.       I kept the side arm for my recirculating line that I have hooked up

 I probably could run the recirculating  through the plate exchanger not sure if that would work or not maybe somebody will have some feedback on this??

I would say just the opposite he/hrc200x.    should go with the plate exchanger so he isn't constantly heating a tankful of water when he isn't there much.

Just my opinion based on my results     I could be totally wrong in my thinking


Same here on big purchases pex supply .com.
  One or two fittings. Save big money Menards 

Jack

[yoderheating]

hrc200x,
 I would go with the sidearm and if you think you may have a large demand for hot water at times you could do a flat plate as well. I had both for years, after my sidearm proved to heat water too slowly I just added a flat plate. When the water heater started leaking several years ago I eliminated the side arm when I replaced it and haven't missed it at all.