Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] OT: Intro + Q:Selecting workshop heater

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Marconett KM6VV" <KM6VV@...>
>
> I haven't heard about microbore systems, like a "bundle" of pipe

Hi Alan,

Not really a 'bundle' of pipes - Microbore is a system which is popular in
parts of Europe but, for some reason, hasn't caught on with the majority of
'traditional' plumbers around here. I've put 5 systems in with it so far
without any problems - all working fine and I'm not a professional plumber.
The way it works is that the boiler feeds into a header pipe of about 1"
copper which takes the primary distribution to the centre of the building (2
separate fedds for 2 floors etc.). Here it terminates in a 'manifold' -
often called a 'sow' as it is a straight piece of stronger pipe with small
compression couplers along each side and a capped off end. A similar pipe is
laid in for the return so that you have, at a fairly central point, two
manifolds with a number of connections. From these, small diameter - 6, 8 or
10 mm - flexible plastic pipes are taken to each radiator - a separate flow
and return pipe from each radiator to the repective manifolds - thus the
flow in the 1" pipes is now equally divided between a number of smaller
pipes. The advantages of this method over a more 'traditional' system are:-
1. The pipes are easier to run - you can work them just like electrical
cable, thread them through small holes in timberwork, fix them with ordinary
one nail wire clips etc.
2. Every radiator gets the same full heat - you don't finish up with a
radiator at the end of the system which is cooler than the rest.
3. Adding another radiator is easy - you make sure at first installation
that the manifolds you fit have spare ways on them which you cap with
blanking plugs, then, when you want to fit another radiator, you simply
mount it on the wall, run another pair of pipes to the nearest manifold, and
hook it in.
4. Unlike a 'traditional' system, you don't have to worry about slopes on
pipe runs and airlocking. When you use a system with 1/2" pipe, this has to
rise steadily from the feed to the return or you will get airlocking and
cold radiators. With microbore, the pipes are small enough for any air
bubbles to get carried along with the flow and so you don't get airlocks. In
fact, you can run pipes upstairs, downstairs, wherever you like with no
problems.
5. Because the plastic pipe comes in 50' coils, you don't have any joints in
the pipe runs to leak.

In your case, if you are just wanting background heat, why not try just
running a big loop of plastic pipe around your workshop? This could just be
an extension of the feed to the hot tub - what I mean is break into the feed
from the boiler to the tub - send it through a long loop (or loops) of pvc
pipe around the workshop, and then recouple it into the tub end. I don't
know how the temperature control on the tub works, you would lose a few
degrees on the feed water temperature this way, but if the thermostat is on
the tub and the boiler is up to producing enough heat for both the tub and
the workshop, you shouldn't notice any difference. Perhaps you could
increase the flow rate to compensate. At least this way you wouldn't have to
worry about using copper radiators etc., and, if it didn't work, you could
put things back to normal easily.

Ian
--
Ian W. Wright
Sheffield UK
www.iw63.freeserve.co.uk