EPDM vs Santired

[WireNut]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience using Sanitred or other "basement waterproofing" type sealants on a heat storage system. I'm planning to build the standard rectangular 8x4x4 box out of plywood, and I'm debating between EPDM and Sanitred.

EPDM: Cost: 1/16" thick 15'x20' sheet for $395 Delivered (101 of it is shipping)

Sanitred: Cost $ 520.51 of that, $77 is shipping

I'm worried about the force of the water on the wood weakening the corners of the box with sanitred, where with EPDM it will stretch, but I'd like to be able to heat to over 180 degrees, which from my reading EPDM is no good for......

 

[mikefrommaine]

I vote for neither.


(PVC or. Pressurized)

 

[WireNut]

I would love to...maybe some day...but I can't fit much into my basement through the door, and my project budget is already on shoe-strings.

 

[kopeck]

I would love to...maybe some day...but I can't fit much into my basement through the door, and my project budget is already on shoe-strings.

Check with American Solartechnics (Seen here at Tom in Maine), they will make custom sized PVC liners. They're good for 180 deg continuous/200 deg intermittent.

(broken link removed to http://www.americansolartechnics.com/customliners.html)

I have his tank as well which I think is well made.

K

 

[mole]

Kopeck hit the nail on the head. I built mine with EPDM, which is rated for 170-175degF max. My forced air heat only works well down to 140degF, which gives me usable storage of 30deg. I sized the tank large at 1250 gallon to store 312,000 BTU (1250 x 8.34 x 30deg) . Adding an extra 20 degrees of working temperature range with the vinyl would increase the storage to 520,000 BTU. Its just like having a tank that's 66% bigger! Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of Tom in Maine's high temperature vinyl before I built mine! (Most vinyls are only rated for 140deg).

I don't see anything about temperature ratings on the Sanitred website. I'd stay away from that stuff unless you have some concrete temperature rating on it.

Good luck.

 

[hobbyheater]

I'm planning to build the standard rectangular 8x4x4 box out of plywood,
...

From the Jetstream boiler manual I have drawings and instructions for constructing your own wood framed storage.
They could be posted for you.

 

[peakbagger]

Having done some inadvertent product testing awhile back, I would go with PVC from someone who knows how to handle it and has the equipment to weld it properly. Given the potential damage from a leak and the hassle factor inevitably in the middle of heating season, give Tom a call and do yourself a favor.