Been asked to convert existing gravity HW to fully pumped system.

[cr0ft]

Hi all. Usual thing, existing floor standing gas boiler is pumped for CH and running into a 28mm cylinder coil for DHW.

I am planning on capping off the CH flow and return at the boiler and converting the system into a y-plan fully pumped system.

Question for all. I realise the pipework is in 28mm for decent circulation by gravity. Is there any reason why I can't fit a 22mm y-plan kit then just use a 22/28 reducer after the valve to connect on to the existing 28mm?

I can't see a problem with this but wanted to check with people who have more experience of doing this than I!

 

[Leo21]

That's how I've done them with no problems, just make sure there's no non return valve on it.

 

[Killy Bing]

Will be fine imho.

might want to put a balancing valve in though?
more experianced guys can confirm this?

 

[Leo21]

Will be fine imho.

might want to put a balancing valve in though?
more experianced guys can confirm this?

Do you mean a gate valve on the cylinder return? If yes it's not a bad idea, it'll help the heating circulation while there's hot water demand.

 

[Ermintrude]

Jesus man alive . What are you on? Old. 28mm left in? Give your self a shake. That's loot.

I would try and use 22mm and fit s plan . Defo fit gate valve to cylinder. You know any sparkies who could wire s plan?

 

[Killy Bing]

Do you mean a gate valve on the cylinder return? If yes it's not a bad idea, it'll help the heating circulation while there's hot water demand.

compression lock shield seems to be the technical term

Gate Valves

 

[Ermintrude]

 

[Leo21]

compression lock shield seems to be the technical term

Gate Valves

So it does, I stand corrected. Huge difference.

 

[cr0ft]

Jesus man alive . What are you on? Old. 28mm left in? Give your self a shake. That's loot.

I would try and use 22mm and fit s plan . Defo fit gate valve to cylinder. You know any sparkies who could wire s plan?

I agree but even though the customer is moving in to the place he is doing everything as cheap as possible. Instead of going fully pumped he is now on about fitting a c plan kit..

I have informed him that my labour is the same either way. I know which one I would be fitting.

and no, I don't know any sparky that can wire an s plan sadly

 

[Killy Bing]

So it does, I stand corrected. Huge difference.

I got the term wrong anyway!

the only advantage is it doesnt get adjusted by joe bloggs and have the spindle snapped.

 

[Nostrum]

I agree but even though the customer is moving in to the place he is doing everything as cheap as possible. Instead of going fully pumped he is now on about fitting a c plan kit..

I have informed him that my labour is the same either way. I know which one I would be fitting.

and no, I don't know any sparky that can wire an s plan sadly

Shouldn't be doing this really Croft, doesn't comply with part L.

 

[cr0ft]

Good point matey. I didn't think about that tbh. Why are honeywell still selling them then??

 

[kay-jay]

Good point matey. I didn't think about that tbh. Why are honeywell still selling them then??

for direct replacement only not for using to convert one to the other as then its a new installation and needs to comply

 

[Worcester]

I don't know any sparky that can wire an s plan sadly

S Plan, Y Plan, W Plan, S plan Plus, C Plan, U Plan, c'mon none of them are rocket science, any decent sparx can do those

 

[SimonG]

S Plan, Y Plan, W Plan, S plan Plus, C Plan, U Plan, c'mon none of them are rocket science, any decent sparx can do those

There's many a spark that baulks at the idea of wiring a heating system of any description. One of the lads I use wasn't keen until I spent some time going through how the water side worked, once he understood that then the wiring became easy for him.

 

[Ermintrude]

Do all me own never an issue .... I'm an engineer by the way.

 

[cr0ft]

S Plan, Y Plan, W Plan, S plan Plus, C Plan, U Plan, c'mon none of them are rocket science, any decent sparx can do those

Yay I got a bite. I am a spark and I am happy wiring them all in

 

[Leo21]

Yay I got a bite. I am a spark and I am happy wiring them all in

Yes, but are you a sparks first or gas safe engineer first. Think carefully now.

 

[SimonG]

Yes, but are you a sparks first or gas safe engineer first. Think carefully now.

Can't beat a loaded question on 'UKPF'

 

[Killy Bing]

Yes, but are you a sparks first or gas safe engineer first. Think carefully now.

poor keiran might cry at that...

 

[cr0ft]

That's an easy one. I'm not a gas safe engineer so I am a sparks first I don't do gas

 

[cr0ft]

I would say I am a plumber first before a spark as that's the trade I started in first!

 

[SimonG]

I would say I am a plumber first before a spark as that's the trade I started in first!

What do you do for the gas then Kieran? I have a gsr engineer that will come in and do all the gas bits for me.

 

[cr0ft]

I go from one gsr to the next to be honest. Most I find seem to have a real bee in their bonnet about subcontracting to a non-gsr plumber!

To be honest I keep busy enough doing all the non-gas and electrical work. It would be nice to do the gas work but it's pretty much an closed off market under the current training requirements. But don't get me going on that again, it annoys me so much lol.

 

[Ermintrude]

I will work for food?

 

[Killy Bing]

I go from one gsr to the next to be honest. Most I find seem to have a real bee in their bonnet about subcontracting to a non-gsr plumber!

To be honest I keep busy enough doing all the non-gas and electrical work. It would be nice to do the gas work but it's pretty much an closed off market under the current training requirements. But don't get me going on that again, it annoys me so much lol.

i might be able to help you there thinking about it.

 

[cr0ft]

Hmm yes. We chatted about that before if I remember rightly. I think we suggested a swap of skills both ways round right? The only issue was we were a bit too far apart if I remember right?

 

[cr0ft]

I've past so much work to the gas fitter I've used recently and not even had so much as a thanks back to be honest. It's frustrating me rather a lot.

 

[Worcester]

I guess it helps that we rarely do new installations, it's always a retrofit and so first thing is working out what the *** is going on - Took 20 mins to find the pump on an existing rayburn install (biomass upgrade..) the other day - even the owner couldn't remember -- found it in the back of the corner cupboard, looking at those valves, guess he's going to need a new kitchen as well by the time we've managed to isolate it all ...... Becasue of the capital cost of our installations, we then end up having to sort out all the existing hot water and heating zoning issues, so we've seen pretty much everything so far..
Aparrently they had considered that corner of the cupboard 'dead space' so they put the pumps in etc before they fitted the cabinets mmmm....

 

[Killy Bing]

Hmm yes. We chatted about that before if I remember rightly. I think we suggested a swap of skills both ways round right? The only issue was we were a bit too far apart if I remember right?

Yup and im getting busier so i dont want to take my foot off the pedel now.

i do however have a friend who qualified for his gas but lost his job, didn't have the balls to go SE.
so he works in a nightclub and he hates his life!!!

I'd put money on him willing to do near anything to get back on the tools

 

[cr0ft]

Does he live anywhere near Lincoln?

 

[Leo21]

I would say I am a plumber first before a spark as that's the trade I started in first!

Well saved sir.

 

[Killy Bing]

Does he live anywhere near Lincoln?

nope near me, but im sure he would live in the loft of your new store...haha.

 

[SimonG]

I've past so much work to the gas fitter I've used recently and not even had so much as a thanks back to be honest. It's frustrating me rather a lot.

He passes on any oil he comes across. He def gets more work than me, but thats the way the cookie crumbles. I often think about doing the gas, but I do plenty already.

 

[Ermintrude]

Is that an earth wear pot or the head of a very old copper cylinder?