Hi, all and thanks for the feedback and suggestions to date, thought I'd give an update, I'm learning too so bare with me, although I like technical things. Also I am glad that people are finding it interesting. I will not stop posting until is is resolved, in the hope someone learns something, mainly me at this rate.
With your help the plumber has started to look at the flow issues
Where are we
In order to leave something working for xmas the magna was removed and replaced with now two small pumps, one replacing the magna and one on the flow return just under the bolier, system flushed through removing air
told not to use for than 3 manifolds at a time, and heat water separately.
they will be back early in the new year, accompanied by a consultant/design engineer.
has the system ever worked?
originally a year ago, the whole heating was running at 22c to dry the house, and it kept it there, however I did not monitor flows at that time.
also only used parts of it since some of the house is not complete
hot water with heating, found issue when we moved in after water was only ever Luke warm
towel rails I have not really used it can draw into mix, but at the moment leave to one side
bolier sizing was done by the energy consultant based on heat loss, trying to get an e copy of the numbers for those who are interested
How's it working
hot water only, starts off heating fine, but as cylinder gets warmer boiler starts to cycle every 2 mins for quite some time until the cylinder stat eventually switches everything off.
3 manifolds I tested yesterday work fine, flow rate at ports varying between 1.5 to 2 l/pm, with 40 to 42c flow and 30 to 32c return at each manifold. Got temp in heated areas to 21 to 22 within a couple of hours and switched off at around 2pm, outside temp 6c, never came on again for the rest of day, morning temp in those heated areas ranges between 19 to 21 depending on room as some have lots of glass, overnight temp 0c, only just switched on the now to top up.
boiler working very gently, output temp of 71c
manifolds. M1, 9 ports, m2 9 ports, m3 10 ports, m4 8 ports, m5 10 ports, m6 5 ports
flows up to heating are, first one is m2 and m3, second one is m1, m4 and m10
m6 is the basement and flows off the piping to the cylinder
Time to do some scenario testing if I can, happy to take suggestions and I can post results.
boiler temperature can be turned up, it on setting 5 and a bit at the moment give 71c?
flow and return temps under what scenarios? Easiest way to measure the temp? I have an ir thermometer, but how to get it to work on copper?if reliable at all?
manifold combinations, can switch all on to see what happens or one at a time?
best to have some results on the table before the guys come back to help get to a solution, whether it be a complete rehash, or mods to existing
merry xmas by the way and once again thanks.