Heating using the hot water tank.

[MtnDon]

Interesting looking couplers there.

I received word today that the replacement (or repaired?) RV water pressure pump is on the way back to us and I should be able to get things back together next week. Wednesday most likely.

[lrrowe]

Any idea what the difference in water temp was in the water heater at the different settings?

Personally this looks like a successful test to me. What expectations do you have that these results don't meet?

No idea on the temperatures right now. However, my new IR thermometer arrived yesterday.

From that initial test I believe the concept has been proven sound. I guess I'm curious about what fans with 2x the CFM will do. The one new fan arrived in this mornings post. Probably tomorrow I'll do a test measuring water temperature across the radiator a the Low - Medium - High water heater settings. That'll be with the original fan set. Then I'll change the fans and do another set of temperature drop tests.

The temperature controller may arrive in a few days. Or may not. It's a direct China shipment. When that arrives it may be interesting to compare the energy use to maintain the selected temperature with both the low and the higher capacity fans. Or if I can find where the un-used PWM controller is I may try slowing the speed of the higher capacity fans.

But for now I'd say what I have works. Add a temperature controller and it should be viable for any TD and small insulated CT.

I'll be back with temperatures and energy use later. Just can't say when for certain. Then we can all compare results and maybe others can refine the system. All I want is to have some heat without spending the big bucks for something like a Propex. Some other heaters that others have used require wall space we do not want to give up.

MtnDon, what IF Thermometer did you get? My recently received cheap $16 one from China is defective. It reads 5-6 degrees too low when calibrated against other devices. They many replace it, but I have lost confidence that any unit from them will be any good.

[MtnDon]

This one....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281297953785?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

and it is a very close match to my neighbor's Fluke (10X the price.)

[lrrowe]

Hmmmm, the case and button position (not exactly the same buttons) look just like mine and a $1 or so cheaper. Wonder if they are made by the same companies or just many other knockoff suppliers.

I will see what my supplier says about the defective one and if their reply is not satisfactory, I will look your ebay one.

This is one back reading using my meat thermometer in the refrig. I also compared with a wine bottle tester at a local restaurant with about the same difference results.



Thanks,

[Socal Tom]

Any idea what the difference in water temp was in the water heater at the different settings?

Personally this looks like a successful test to me. What expectations do you have that these results don't meet?

No idea on the temperatures right now. However, my new IR thermometer arrived yesterday.

From that initial test I believe the concept has been proven sound. I guess I'm curious about what fans with 2x the CFM will do. The one new fan arrived in this mornings post. Probably tomorrow I'll do a test measuring water temperature across the radiator a the Low - Medium - High water heater settings. That'll be with the original fan set. Then I'll change the fans and do another set of temperature drop tests.

The temperature controller may arrive in a few days. Or may not. It's a direct China shipment. When that arrives it may be interesting to compare the energy use to maintain the selected temperature with both the low and the higher capacity fans. Or if I can find where the un-used PWM controller is I may try slowing the speed of the higher capacity fans.

But for now I'd say what I have works. Add a temperature controller and it should be viable for any TD and small insulated CT.

I'll be back with temperatures and energy use later. Just can't say when for certain. Then we can all compare results and maybe others can refine the system. All I want is to have some heat without spending the big bucks for something like a Propex. Some other heaters that others have used require wall space we do not want to give up.

MtnDon, what IF Thermometer did you get? My recently received cheap $16 one from China is defective. It reads 5-6 degrees too low when calibrated against other devices. They many replace it, but I have lost confidence that any unit from them will be any good.

IR thermometers shouldn't be used for critical measurements. There are a lot of factors in play. How were you comparing to other devices? http://www.thermoworks.com/blog/2012/03 ... ermometry/ For this test, as long as the numbers were consistent then they can give us the answers we need.
Tom

[MtnDon]

I dug through the scrap heap and found a piece of welded mesh. One inch x two inch pattern, hot dip galvanized 10 AWG steel.

It makes for a passable toe kick guard and has next to no impact on air flow.




It'll never grace the cover of Better Homes and RV's, but it will do the job. It is spaced out from the shower sill a couple inches. It seems to provide for sufficient air flow. Tomorrow should see the water pressure pump arrive and then I'll get it all back together.

[lrrowe]

Nice set up. Regarding the IF Rdr, I did use it at a wine resturant next to the resturant's owners IF Temp. Rdr. Mine was off on bottles immediately taken out of his speciality temperature controled wine refrigerator. His reader did agree within one degree of the refig setting. Mine was 5-6 degrees cooler.

[MtnDon]

OK. A brand new replacement pressure pump arrived this AM. It's now installed. Next is to test the temperature controller settings and to find a happy spot for the temperature sensor. Should drop to about 29 F overnight which will be good.


FWIW the water pressure pump is an Artis. They were new kid on the block a year ago when I bought it over a Shurflo or a Flojet. It was only $50 at pplmotohomes. The replacement they sent looks the same but has a different model number. Brand new item, not a reconditioned. New comes with a 2 year warranty. As long as this one lasts I'll be happy.

[MtnDon]

aggie 79,


Here's example of a "thicker" radiator: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16235/ex-rad-409/Alphacool_NexXxoS_Monsta_Single_120mm_Radiator_-_80mm_Thick.html?tl=g30c95s159. In fact, this site has more radiator possibilities that one could imagine would exist.

Take care,
Tom

These have been bouncing around in the back of my mind. I did have the question of what pressures they could withstand, if there were test specs. It seems most manufacturers / sellers of these radiator don't worry much about what their product tests to as few of the many available brands have the pressure test specs listed.

A preliminary look finds that the brand Watercool is tested to 5 bar (70+ PSI). Phobya tests to 2 bar (30 PSI) and Coolgate and Alphacool are tested to 1.5 bar (22 PSI) Wonder what the other makes are? May have to write some letters / emails. Just my curiosity at this point... I'm always looking for more performance. Some brands have a more versatile arrangement of fittings locations.

[lrrowe]

MtnDon and Shawdow Catcher,
Have you been able to test your heaters out yet in the great outdoors?

[Shadow Catcher]

Let me put it this way, I now have all the bits and pieces to install it and looking out the window it is snowing
Compass Rose has however been freed from her ice and snow chrysalis and I have been checking to make sure winter was not getting into places I did not want it. Assuming it warms up next week I may install.
I am a bit it was two years ago that I had my heart attack working on electrical on CR during spring break, (if my wife had not taken me to the Docs, I would not be here).

[MtnDon]

Next week will be a week long test. All non-electric forest service or federal national monument campgrounds in SE AZ. Projected night time temperatures in the 40's, and a little lower with one possible campground at 9000 feet.

[lrrowe]

Let me put it this way, I now have all the bits and pieces to install it and looking out the window it is snowing
Compass Rose has however been freed from her ice and snow chrysalis and I have been checking to make sure winter was not getting into places I did not want it. Assuming it warms up next week I may install.
I am a bit it was two years ago that I had my heart attack working on electrical on CR during spring break, (if my wife had not taken me to the Docs, I would not be here).

Glad to hear you made it through the attack ok. My wife goes in for heart valve surgery in two weeks. All of this makes you realize how precious life is.

[lrrowe]

Next week will be a week long test. All non-electric forest service or federal national monument campgrounds in SE AZ. Projected night time temperatures in the 40's, and a little lower with one possible campground at 9000 feet.

Sounds like a great trip. Looking forward to your results.

[Shadow Catcher]

Bob
I am well aware we are subject to a recall by the manufacture at any moment. From the time I started feeling bad (under the trailer) to actually dieing on the table at Toledo Hospital was about 20 minutes. I woke up with burn marks where they shocked me nine times. I was camping two months later on the north shore of Lake Superior.