6
Install a
drain valve
between the water jacket and check valve. Do not install the check valve between the
jacket and drain; it will prevent the jacket from draining when you drain the system.
Maintenance
Free-flowing water is a very effective coolant – the flow of water to and through your water jacket will help to
ensure a long life. Even though your firebox may be extremely hot, if your system is maintained properly and
water is carrying heat away from the jacket, the temperature of the water jacket should always remain moderate.
Lime and sediment build-up will eventually begin to restrict the flow of water through the water jacket. The
frequency with which maintenance will be required will vary, depending on the concentration of minerals or
sediment in your water. Clean the water jacket at least once per year, or any time water heats more slowly than
normal. There are two effective methods for cleaning your water jacket:
1.
Remove the water jacket and take it to your local radiator repair shop. For a modest charge, they can “boil”
residues and build-up out of the jacket.
2.
Remove the jacket and lay flat, with plumbing fittings facing up. Fill the jacket with a solution of 75%
vinegar, 25% clean clear water. Let stand for six hours. Flush thoroughly with a garden hose and re-install.
After cleaning, the water jacket should be pressure tested to ensure it has not been weakened by cleaning or
corrosion.
Tips & Trouble Shooting
Pressure Temperature Release Valves Fire Too Frequently:
PTVs release when the water in them becomes too hot. This can be caused by a number of factors:
Poor / slow circulation of water. Possible solutions include moving the storage tank higher and closer to
the stove, eliminating elbows and / or replacing 90 degree elbows with 45 degree elbows.
Rapid heating of the water jacket. If the water in the jacket is heated too quickly, before thermosyphon
circulation is established, the water in the jacket and at the first PTV may be excessively hot. This
problem can often be corrected by warming the stove more gradually, allowing circulation to establish
before building a full hot fire.
Lack of hot water use or excess heating capacity. If hot water is not being drawn out of the system
frequently enough, the system may overheat. Especially when operating your stove at high temperatures,
occasionally run hot water to reduce the water temperature in the system. Alternatively, you can increase
the size of the storage tank and / or remove some insulation from the pipes and storage tank.
If the suggestions above do not remedy the problem, and if possible, install a circulating pump.
DO NOT move the PTV further from the water jacket. The PTV only releases because safe pressure limits
have been exceeded.
Tips:
Because of mass manufacturing efficiencies, a conventional hot water heater, left disconnected from gas or
electricity supplies, is probably the most cost-effective storage tank you can purchase.
To prevent property damage, put a drain pan under any storage tank that is located above living space or
materials you wish to protect from potential water damage.
Use 50/50 solder when installing copper pipe.
Use fine sandpaper to clean copper pipe for soldering.
Use Teflon plumbing tape on all threaded joints.
Wrap hot water pipes with insulation to minimize heat loss. (Exception: if your system is continually
overheating and firing PTVs, you may wish to allow some heat loss through the pipes.)