Effecta installation pics in North Pole, Alaska

[NP ALASKA]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/effecta-60kw-in-alaska.94097/

Starting Effecta installation, follow link to see in other thread.

I will post future pics and postings here for the install

 

[NP ALASKA]

Sending the 250 gallon buffer tank vertical


Handy enigine hoist


Little help from my lovely wife.
She unhooked the chain.


Its ready for plumbing. Yeah

 

[NP ALASKA]

Decided on two -160 expansion tanks. I know its a little more than what I need with only 1250 gallon storage. I plan to put in two more 500's this summer so I shouldbe able to add one more 160 and be good for the 2250 in storage.

Any thoughts are invited.

 

[BravoWhiskey]

Decided on two -160 expansion tanks. I know its a little more than what I need with only 1250 gallon storage. I plan to put in two more 500's this summer so I shouldbe able to add one more 160 and be good for the 2250 in storage.

Any thoughts are invited.

Just a thought, could dedicate the top half of the buffer tank to expansion and save a bunch on store bought.

 

[NP ALASKA]

I also though of doing this.

the 250 tank is for use when in pellet mode. It is however incoorporated into the 1000 gallons when burning wood.
I see a 300 gallon tank forsale locally, would this be suffcient for expanaison of 1250 gallons + water in boiler? And would it work when I add next summer going over 2000 gallons?

 

[NP ALASKA]

Does one simply put a vent in the top and add it in place of the store bought ones? I would guess a air inlet would need installed to charge to 12psi???

 

[BravoWhiskey]

I also though of doing this.

the 250 tank is for use when in pellet mode. It is however incoorporated into the 1000 gallons when burning wood.
I see a 300 gallon tank forsale locally, would this be suffcient for expanaison of 1250 gallons + water in boiler? And would it work when I add next summer going over 2000 gallons?

I'm still planning for a system so my experience is with conventional systems with non-bladder tanks in the floor joists above boilers in cellars. Should work about the same for a big system like yours. Ten percent of system volume should be plenty, but some need to be careful to be able to isolate the tank so it doesn't blow air back into system when servicing, unlike bladder tank. Just need a way to put air in and a way to bleed off excess water if need be. You will probably need to pre-charge some when you have all 2250 gallons on line.

 

[maple1]

I also though of doing this.

the 250 tank is for use when in pellet mode. It is however incoorporated into the 1000 gallons when burning wood.
I see a 300 gallon tank forsale locally, would this be suffcient for expanaison of 1250 gallons + water in boiler? And would it work when I add next summer going over 2000 gallons?

I have 660 gallons of storage, plus whatever is in the boiler & system - not likely much more than 700 total. Certainly under 750. I have a 110 gallon propane tank for non-bladder expansion and it is more than adequate. I go from 10psi to 15psi from cold to hot, more or less.

Just T a drain on the bottom connection, and have another small port on the top that you can T in a snifter valve, pressure guage, ball valve to help in bleeding/draining - and maybe more T's at top & bottom to run a sight guage on.

 

[NP ALASKA]

Well it was a eventfull evening tonight. Got home from a long day at work. Have college to work on but decided to spend some time putting the stacked tanks together. This proved to a be a little tricky, but I got it done with a llittle help from the wife and the handy engine hoist.
I will post those picture tomorrow.



Here the boiler is ready to be tied to storage tanks


Dry fitting everything making sure I dont have to back up and do thing over.



I added pipe dope and the down tube to this one tonight also.

All in all a good night.

Gotta do some college this weekend, class is over the 24th and we have a few weeks off. I will use this time to capitalize the remaining installation I am unable to get to here and there the way I have been going.

Regards,

 

[maple1]

I would highly recommend both a good quality teflon tape, and a good quality pipe dope, on all your pipe joints. And lots of torque.

 

[stee6043]

If you're at the North Pole.....shouldn't you be busy doing other things right now? You know it's December....

Install looks great so far. I'd echo the comment above about teflon tape and dope. I used both on every joint during my install and had exactly zero leaks in my black pipe. My only look was at a pex compression fitting that just needed a little more convincing.

Also, is the photo of your pressure relief rotated? I don't think you're supposed to have any elbows between the pressure relief and the exit above the floor. I may be quite wrong but I thought I read this someplace...

 

[NP ALASKA]

Yep, I should be doing alot of other things but I am splitting my time between work, college and this. I would much rather be concentrating on the boiler for sure.

I plan to dry fit most everything then I promise to use dope and tape.

My pipe fitter buddy always say DOPE-TAPE-DOPE! I follow his words of wisdom and have not yet had any problems. Lol

I hadnt heard that about the pressure relief valve. This look is pretty common here on all different boiler combinations. I will look into that one. easy enough to change.

Thanks

 

[NP ALASKA]

ooops hit the button to many times, same darn picture.

Sorry

Here are some others


















Regards

 

[lotawood]

If I were doing that much storage I would research the airtrol fittings at pex supply. It looks like it is made for a compression tank. Depending on your tank diameter apparently, it looks like a cheaper alternative to 3 sx-160's with another propane tank.
Otherwise, I always thought the sx-160 was at a better price point compared to a sx-110. For $30 more than a sx-110 you get 30% more acceptance, at pexsupply.

 

[Gasifier]

Install is looking good NP. Will be nice when it is all done. Good for you on the college thing. And doing all this work on your own. Never to late to stop learning. Should be a continuous, life long goal. I think stee6043 was concerned about weather or not you were getting all the gifts made and ready to be sent out to all those kids! Being that you are at the North Pole.

 

[NP ALASKA]

Well, i ha d to take a second job to finance this big beauty. The Elf in charge at night is a bit mean but gets things done. Kids should be pretty happy with all the people i saw last night.
Lol

Well gotta go get blankets off the horses, it warmed up here almost 50 degrees over night

Thanks for all the input guys

Also i did look at pexsupply ended up here locally
They wanted 400 bucks per tank to ship to alaska

Brian from Effecta US tried too, he found a great deal but it didnt make sense to wait for them to save only 20 bucks. Brian has been great at every corner. In this day and age of customer service he is a great example of straight talk and trying his best at doing the right thing. I really appretiate his help! And you guys too

Gotta get back to the shop, momma elf might be kicking my rear soon otherwise.

Regards Morgan

 

[NP ALASKA]

Well, school is winding down for the semester, I will have a 2 week break.
I plan on hitting the install heavily this weekend.
Sorry for the delay guys but my promotion at work is contigent on degree completetion.

Regards, Morgan

 

[Gasifier]

How is the install going Morgan?

 

[NP ALASKA]

How is the install going Morgan?

Good afternoon,

Well, things slowed a bit as I had to complete a couple papers for college and Christmas with the kids.

I have taken a break this term to get some things done around the place and my promotion at owrk has proved to be a bit challenging.

I got tanks together and set back in place last night. Pressure tested and holding 20 PSI for the past 6 days.

I will start with the mock up of copper today after work.

I am stilll waiting on my two-160 expansion tanks. The plmbing store says mid Jan. I wont beable to fire unitl then but should get most everything else complete awaiting the HX-160's to show up.

Regards, Morgan

I will post more pics soon

 

[NP ALASKA]

Press test of tanks, should I go closer to 30psi as the pop-off is rated?


Days not complete without a little helper




Start of insulted box aorund tanks, this is the best inul-board availabe here. I put it on the wall set off with 2x4's leaving a 1.5" gap off the wall. Still debating on wether to have the tanks sprayed once installed and running for a bit?
Expensive but I think it would be worth it.

 

[ewdudley]

Press test of tanks, should I go closer to 30psi as the pop-off is rated?

Wouldn't hurt to dob some sudsy water on the joints while it's all accessible. Event the tiniest leak will foam up obviously. A few more PSI wouldn't prove much.

 

[NP ALASKA]

Wouldn't hurt to dob some sudsy water on the joints while it's all accessible. Event the tiniest leak will foam up obviously. A few more PSI wouldn't prove much.

Thanks much, I did the sudsy part and it proved to be a 4 hour journey getting the unions between the tanks secure, all seems good now. I have not lost any air in 6 days and will spray once more to make sure.

Thanks for the input.

Plan to run it without insulation for a couple weeks, how hot is the garage gonna get?????Lol

Thanks again

 

[kjahnz]

Ha Ha I like my garage warm enough to wear short sleeves, currently laying up fiberglass on some jet ski hulls, it's been single digit temps over night for the last few days. your project is looking great, congrats.

 

[NP ALASKA]

Well, I have made a little progress yesterday and wanted to share,



Got the 250 Gallon tank plumbed and connected to the 2- 500 gallon tanks
Started setting up the copper














I was planning to go straight back and hit the tee, made it very difficult to reach ball valve.
This one is opened and closed according to wood or pellet mode burning

I would write a bit more but I have to get to an appointment, more later.

Regards, Morgan

 

[NP ALASKA]

Let the soldering begin