If the contentions to the tanks were reversed on the top or bottom that would defiantly help the flows
Time for a complete system overhaul -- Looking for input.
- Thread starter mtnsideman
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You need reverse piping at the top!
This will balance out the flow over both tanks.
The way you have it piped now, only the tank closest to the boiler will heat up.
Water always takes the easiest path.
Also, there is no anti-condense boiler protection (mixing valve or injection pump)
See location anti-condense mixing valve with setting of at least 160F
![[Hearth.com] Time for a complete system overhaul -- Looking for input.](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/1765049146638-webp.343293/ "[Hearth.com] Time for a complete system overhaul -- Looking for input.")
This will balance out the flow over both tanks.
The way you have it piped now, only the tank closest to the boiler will heat up.
Water always takes the easiest path.
Also, there is no anti-condense boiler protection (mixing valve or injection pump)
See location anti-condense mixing valve with setting of at least 160F
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Here are some things I learned during the last 3weeks of operation:
My wood consumption is noticeably less then then the previous year. It's trending towards a 50% reduction in wood required. We had cold temps and I'm burning twice or three times a day to keep the tank cold temps above 140. My windows are garbage and its an old farm house, so the BTU consumption kinda expected. Its nice having the thermostat set up to 70 degs and I don't have to tend a fire every two hours to remain on wood heat.
The storage supply loop is pipes with reverse return flow. This provides me with good stratification and utilization of each tank when the boiler is not operating.
The tanks temps get stirred up when the boiler pumps are running. I have a 1.5in header pipes and 1.25 in pipes connecting to the tanks. I'm only seeing a few degree different between the tank temp sensors. The believe the 23gpm flow of the VDT pump in conjunction with my header pipe sizing is allowing both tanks to be utilized appropriately.
My boiler primary loop turns on when the exhaust temperature reaches a certain level. The seconds (injection) pump turns on via aquastat when the boiler output reaches 180+. The secondary pump is variable and will speed up or slow down to maintain the delta temp setting. If the boiler temps starts dropping due to cold injection temp the secondary pump turns off because the aquastat temp dropped.
Note that hot water will thermosiphon from the primary loop. I haven't noticed any side affects of this. It takes a bit longer for the boiler to heat up but the pumps are compensating accordingly. This also allows heat to help prevent a overheat issue during a power outage.
My boiler power is backed up by an inverter that instantly takes over when there is a loss of power. I haven't measured how long the batteries will provide power, hopefully a few hours at a minimum.
I'm pleased with the simplicity of they system and it's performance thus far. Sure it may not be perfectly spec'ed and improvements could be made, but I'm not changing anything this heating season and until I convince myself to spend more money and tear the system apart.
My wood consumption is noticeably less then then the previous year. It's trending towards a 50% reduction in wood required. We had cold temps and I'm burning twice or three times a day to keep the tank cold temps above 140. My windows are garbage and its an old farm house, so the BTU consumption kinda expected. Its nice having the thermostat set up to 70 degs and I don't have to tend a fire every two hours to remain on wood heat.
The storage supply loop is pipes with reverse return flow. This provides me with good stratification and utilization of each tank when the boiler is not operating.
The tanks temps get stirred up when the boiler pumps are running. I have a 1.5in header pipes and 1.25 in pipes connecting to the tanks. I'm only seeing a few degree different between the tank temp sensors. The believe the 23gpm flow of the VDT pump in conjunction with my header pipe sizing is allowing both tanks to be utilized appropriately.
My boiler primary loop turns on when the exhaust temperature reaches a certain level. The seconds (injection) pump turns on via aquastat when the boiler output reaches 180+. The secondary pump is variable and will speed up or slow down to maintain the delta temp setting. If the boiler temps starts dropping due to cold injection temp the secondary pump turns off because the aquastat temp dropped.
Note that hot water will thermosiphon from the primary loop. I haven't noticed any side affects of this. It takes a bit longer for the boiler to heat up but the pumps are compensating accordingly. This also allows heat to help prevent a overheat issue during a power outage.
My boiler power is backed up by an inverter that instantly takes over when there is a loss of power. I haven't measured how long the batteries will provide power, hopefully a few hours at a minimum.
I'm pleased with the simplicity of they system and it's performance thus far. Sure it may not be perfectly spec'ed and improvements could be made, but I'm not changing anything this heating season and until I convince myself to spend more money and tear the system apart.