Megaflo 145DD

[Sean paterson]

Hi guys im looking for some advice, im a individual commercial heating engineer and i bought a megaflo eco for my place. Are the air bubbles reliable? As in worth the extra money compared to fitting an external expansion vessel. I don't have my G3 so going to pay a registered plumbing company to fit it. Anyway any feedback would be appreciated. Cheers

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Nope always external expansion vessel for me

 

[SJB060685]

As above, I always preferred an external vessel, having said that if and internal bubble was ever to fail, you can, if needed just install an external vessel.

 

[Sean paterson]

Cheers guys i,ll probably just return it for a standard setup. I liked the idea of extra space in my cupboard for shelving but read mixed reviews about the internal expansion type.

 

[SJB060685]

You would have a bit of extra space with a concealed unit but if the air gap was to fail you would need to install an external vessel, or by a new unit anyway. You'll lose a bit of space yes but it will make life a lot easier for the technician in the future and save you money because pipework won't have to be altered at a later date.

 

[Ben-gee]

I have a twenty year old OSO cylinder with internal air gap and I would recommend this system .

Re-generated the bubble annually and no problems...

 

[Sean paterson]

I have a twenty year old OSO cylinder with internal air gap and I would recommend this system .

Re-generated the bubble annually and no problems...

Cheers mate, I really like the idea of them tbh. Megaflo meant to be the best so iv read. I'll have a think

 

[IND_Nick]

I've been fitting Megaflo as standard for about 10 years, have one at mine and approx 50 I maintain and never had one fail. They are simple to recharge and definitely a good quality unit. Everyone has their preferences but I stick with what works for me. Immersion also seem to last a lot longer than other brands we maintain.
As with everything make sure it is installed correctly and you should be fine.

 

[Sean paterson]

I've been fitting Megaflo as standard for about 10 years, have one at mine and approx 50 I maintain and never had one fail. They are simple to recharge and definitely a good quality unit. Everyone has their preferences but I stick with what works for me. Immersion also seem to last a lot longer than other brands we maintain.
As with everything make sure it is installed correctly and you should be fine.

Great reply mate thanks for that. I will go with the megafo

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Had a few MegaFlos fail with the internal expansion, but you're talking like 15/20 year olds. OSO I find fail after about the 10 year mark and have to be regenerated about every 3 months.

As other's have said you can just add an external expansion when they do. An external expansion is more likely to fail quicker than an internal expansion bubble in my experience.

 

[Sean paterson]

Had a few MegaFlos fail with the internal expansion, but you're talking like 15/20 year olds. OSO I find fail after about the 10 year mark and have to be regenerated about every 3 months.

As other's have said you can just add an external expansion when they do. An external expansion is more likely to fail quicker than an internal expansion bubble in my experience.

Cheers mate had some great advice, like I say I'm an industrial commercial heating engineer and have done a good few calorifiers on site but never one with an internal bubble and not domestic, plus iv never been around them long enough after to say what works best ha. Much appreciated mate.

 

[Ben-gee]

OSO combination valve is set to 2.1bar; if your bubble is failing in three months do you have a higher inlet pressure?
Their one is lower than most, which are 3bar - I find 2 bar fine for me but I know some people expect more these days!

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

OSO combination valve is set to 2.1bar; if your bubble is failing in three months do you have a higher inlet pressure?
Their one is lower than most, which are 3bar - I find 2 bar fine for me but I know some people expect more these days!

No, they're on the std 2.1 inlet control. I'm on about older units here. I found that Indirect units that were fitted by our company around 10/12 years ago, the bubble only started lasting 3/6 months before needing doing again. A few i've fitted external expansion vessels to.

I've had a few control groups start leaking too, out the ends.

 

[Ben-gee]

I know the control leaking out the end problem, seen it in old megaflo too. Usually take it apart to be met with a load of rust and super stiff spring.
A lot of the old single piece combination valves are now replaced with component parts, as it’s usually the pressure reducing valve that packs in - the separate component route is probably the best, although no balanced cold built in so you end up needing a bit more space with separates.

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

I know the control leaking out the end problem, seen it in old megaflo too. Usually take it apart to be met with a load of rust and super stiff spring.
A lot of the old single piece combination valves are now replaced with component parts, as it’s usually the pressure reducing valve that packs in - the separate component route is probably the best, although no balanced cold built in so you end up needing a bit more space with separates.

Tbh I just replace them with the Caleffi combo valves. Rarely have any trouble with them and the pipework is nearly the same with minimal alterations, plus they're about 1/4 of the price of some of the other valves!

 

[Sean paterson]

Hi i had my megaflo 145dd direct cylinder fitted today by a g3 qualified plumber, on completion of the installation he filled the cylinder and the immersion heaters were leaking from what looked like the back nuts, which are plastic not brass. I have attached a picture. does anyone have any experience with this issue? The installer contacted megaflo?baxi who are sending someone on tuesday, so no hot water till then. Ps the cylinder did not come with the immersion spanner as it was supposed to. Anyway any feed back would be greatly appreciated.
cheers

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Hi i had my megaflo 145dd direct cylinder fitted today by a g3 qualified plumber, on completion of the installation he filled the cylinder and the immersion heaters were leaking from what looked like the back nuts, which are plastic not brass. I have attached a picture. does anyone have any experience with this issue? The installer contacted megaflo?baxi who are sending someone on tuesday, so no hot water till then. Ps the cylinder did not come with the immersion spanner as it was supposed to. Anyway any feed back would be greatly appreciated.
cheers

Are you sure they are plastic? I thought they were Black powder coated metal. The cylinder should have come with the key, had it not been opened and sent back by someone else prior to you receiving it?

 

[Sean paterson]

Are you sure they are plastic? I thought they were Black powder coated metal. The cylinder should have come with the key, had it not been opened and sent back by someone else prior to you receiving it?

Hi not as far as I know the company that installed it also supplied it, in regards to the back nut im pretty sure it's plastic, in the spare parts page of the manual that came with it it says black plastic. Apparently when the installer phoned yesterday they said they had a few ppl phoning with the same issue.

 

[Sean paterson]

Are you sure they are plastic? I thought they were Black powder coated metal. The cylinder should have come with the key, had it not been opened and sent back by someone else prior to you receiving it?

Here are a few photos I just took, yes definitely looks plastic.

 

[IND_Nick]

The black back nut has always been painted metal as far as I'm aware (although anything can change in this industry). However whatever it is made of it will possibly just need tightening up. It essentially compresses the immersion plate against a rubber washer that seals on the cylinder. It may be that they have had a batch of poor washers or just not tightened them up correctly. As you need to be G3 qualified to work on these there's not much you can do, although I would expect most installers to have a spare key and washers or at least be able to source.

 

[Ben-gee]

although I would expect most installers to have a spare key and washers or at least be able to source.

The OP could be the source of this installer’s latest spare key...

 

[Ricky]

I don't understand why people are saying internal bubble fails fit exspansion vessel, surely you follow the instructions and replenish it. Worked on both types and both need regular maintance, recharging bubble a consumer can do, recharging exspansion vessel you should get a qualfied person to do