plumbingpages.com  
features news forums
e-mail   Search:
 

 
Air Lock In Gravity Domestic Hot Water Loop?

 


Post new topic   Reply to topic    PlumbingPages Forum Index -> Water Heating technical issues and questions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
TJBONE



Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:29 am    Post subject: Air Lock In Gravity Domestic Hot Water Loop? Reply with quote

I am having a new kitchen fitted which required me to move the central heating circ pump which lives behind the sink unit adjacent to the boiler. The boiler is a Baxi Boston 2 60 RS. Before disconnecting the pump I closed all the radiators, isolated the expansion tank supply and drained the water from the radiator circuit from the low level drain cock outside the back door. I reconfigured the pipes and refitted the pump in the new position (12” to the left, not a big move) and re-commissioned the pump, refilled the system and opening up all the radiators it worked fine all the radiators got hot. The problem is that the gravity domestic hot water loop does not now work. Looking at the boiler the pipes for the gravity loop enter and leave on the left hand side. The pumped radiator loop is on the right side.

I can see from the hot water tank, on the second floor, that the expansion tank in the loft is tied into the domestic gravity hot water loop (i.e. the coil in the tank). This header tank must also supply the radiator circuit (through a connection in the boiler?) as the header tank emptied when I drained the radiator circuit.

I can only think that when refilling the system the radiator side filled OK (vent valve at pump used to remove air around the pump) but that the gravity hot water side has an air lock in a horizontal run of pipe as it runs from the boiler upstairs to the coil in the tank. When I ask for just hot water the boiler switches on and runs for a minute or two then switches off the outflow pipe at the boiler gets hot but that is not communicated to the pipe up at the hot water tank where the ciol enters the tank. I guess the boiler switches off on high temp as the hot water can't go anywhere?

How can I fix it ?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mark6266



Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Posts: 206
Location: sussex

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

answer a) back fill with out side tap and hose pipe and 2 jubily clips and ptfe tape.
drain down issolate F&E ball valves
connect hose to out side tap. connect other end of hose to boiler drain off make sure both ends are water tight. and turn on tap slowly have a frend in the loft to tell you when to turn off the tap ( when water enters the header tank up through the header tank.
answer b) check to see if there is a summer use rad on the system (heats up when hot water demand is on .normaly a rad in the bathroom ) bleed rad intill no air comes out.
answer c) use aqua vac on vent to try and pull the air out
method try b) 1st c)2nd a)3rd
regards mark(allinplumbing@fsmail.net)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    PlumbingPages Forum Index -> Water Heating technical issues and questions All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
 



Template design by Skynet Design
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group

Plumbing Courses | Site Map | Free Plumbing Advice | Plumbing News | Bathrooms | Showers | Plumbing | Bathroom Suites | Radiators | Taps | Sinks | Suppliers