I noticed that I was not getting as much heat from my OWB into the house. The circulator pump sounded like it was running, the line from the pump to the heat exchanger was hot but the line from the exchanger back to the boiler was only warm. I suspected that the pump was bad. Here is what I found. Replaced the pump and am back in business. This is the second time I have had this happen in 22 years.
JCMC Just to let you know.......... The manufacturer recommends installing the pump with the motor in the horizontal position as opposed to the vertical position as you have it. If it is mounted in the vertical position, it must be mounted with the motor "up" but only if system is at least 20psi......which you do not have with a central boiler cl 40 as they have an open vent system. (Don't forget the flow direction arrow stamped in the pump housing.) (read installation: number 1.) 102-054 (taco-hvac.com)
I didn't know that but it has worked this way for twenty two years I think it will stay this way. I will change it when it goes bad next time. Thanks for the info. yooperdave.
I had one in the vertical position years ago. It lasted one year! Actually, it was the motor that had failed...not the impeller.
I know everyone has a plateful already; I just thought you'd like to know what is recommended. Kinda hard to explain the 22 years thing!
Well maybe because the boiler sits up on a hill behind the house so gravity helps with the flow. I don't know for sure but that is my theory. I have been considering replacing the CB with a new Crown Royal or Heatmaster gasification unit but until then "I has what I has". I know that the CB is open system but I wonder how much pressure there is just from the water running down to the pump maybe I could put the motor on top. There really isn't any place to put it vertically.
There’s no pressure coming down the hill as the pump has to push the cooler water back uphill also. If anything it’s more difficult than if the boiler were downhill from the house. I don’t really think it could be much different anyway
Yep, old student of mine did my copper plumbing and installed a pump for our heated floor in the family room we built. It was under our bed (in the basement) (the pump, not our bed!). Anyway it was noisy. Lasted only 2 or 3 years. So old student was putting in the new pump and I was telling him about it being noisy and that he was doing it wrong. He threw me the instructions and I for some reason read them and Yoop is correct. So he turned it so it was correct and viola! it was also quiet!. And it has lasted years.
