Drainback vs. Closed Loop Circulators [RE-wrenches]

[Ken Schaal]

Our large tank DB's of course, only use tap water. Shallow well, deep well,
city water, ie river. Never had a corrosion / erosion problem on type M
copper. Oldest systems from '78, still going great. Checked one just
yesterday when we installed that new TMFR.

Ken

----- Original Message -----
From: <solarpro at aol.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: Drainback vs. Closed Loop Circulators [RE-wrenches]


>
> Hello SHWrenches:
>
> Drainback systems for space heating is very good advice.  Even if you have
a
> "dump" load, pool/spa/geothermal, a closed or 'open' loop system will
overheat
> if (WHEN) something goes south.
>
> I've never come to closure on one issue re drainbacks - is it better to
use
> distilled/de-ionized water or tap water?  I understand that "tap" water
covers
> a lot of territory, but the only drain-backs I have had serious problems
with
> were systems using distilled water - actual copper tubing failure
unrelated to
> erosion corrosion.  I've seen waterways turn to copper foil.  I suppose it
> could have been due to high heat in a moist environment but somebody a
long time
> ago told me that distilled water is "hungry" and will eat away metals.  It
> does seem that the best way to resolve this issue is to use a buffered
glycol,
> but pump head and heat absorption do suffer.
>
> Anybody copy my experience with distilled or de-ionized water?
>
> Patrick A. Redgate
> AMECO
> Long Beach, CA
> (562) 595-9570
> www.amecosolar.com
>
>
>


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