Questions on water for OWB?

[Dan-o]

Hello, I'm new to this site and just bought a Shaver 165.

I have a few questions, I just about have everything all hooked up and was planning on filling the furnace this coming weekend.

I was going to send in my water sample, and they say you have to buy their water sample analysis kit, send in the sample and wait 2-3 weeks for results.

I should have read this before I was ready to fire it up, but my question is can I run it for a few weeks before I get the results back? or is this a problem.

Thanks

 

[Crofter]

Depends on your local water. Some areas of the country have a lot of dissolved mineral that deposits a layer on the heated surfaces that is quite an insulation to heat transfer; once there it is not easy to remove. Other water can be corrosive. Before it would be much of an issue the water would have to be at the extremes in the area and you would likely know about it. One area I lived, tea kettles, coffee makers, steam irons etc. had a real problem with scale buildup and needed frequent acid soaks. If I were filling a system in that area I would try to get a few barrels of treated boiler feed water from some industry.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

At the very least, go to a garden center, and find a PH test kit. All water has calcium/magnesium/iron in it. Do you have to use a water softner, or have iron staining/sulfur? Does the mfr. have a test kit..CB sends one with every boiler.

 

[Butch(OH)]

Send it in, what is 2-3 weeks with all you have invested? At the very least you should be better taken care of if you have problems because you followed the instructions and let them test your water

Woodmaster has their own additive, looks and smells just like the stuff I put in the radiators of my Ford diesel pickups. No test program, just add 1/2 gallon and go. We have lots of iron and sulfur in our water but have a softener. We change the water once a year as suggested and I shined a light down in the vent last spring expecting to see red metal and was surprised to see blue/black just like when new. Good additive? or good water? I don't know? I do know that Woodmaster has a good reputaion for lasting.

 

[stephen44]

I have a Taylor - and they have a chemical, the volume you add based on the water storage capacity.

It has hazard warnings all over - I wonder what it is - as it is darn expensive from the dealers ?

Anyone know ?

 

[Dan-o]

I do use a water softner, and our water seems to be pretty good we never have any iron staining, or scaling on our iron or coffee maker. But I will wait the 2 weeks just got in a hurry and forgot to read about the water sample ahead of time. Plus I still have one heat exchanger to put in and hook up the hot water heater. Almost done though.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[projectsho89]

I do use a water softner, and our water seems to be pretty good we never have any iron staining, or scaling on our iron or coffee maker. But I will wait the 2 weeks just got in a hurry and forgot to read about the water sample ahead of time. Plus I still have one heat exchanger to put in and hook up the hot water heater. Almost done though.

Thanks for your responses.

Dan-o,

If you followed the directions from Shaver's supplier (Wood Boiler Solutions) as to the preparation and filling with the additives at the correct concentrations, you should be fine to use the boiler while waiting for the test results.

When you get the results back, they should come with recommendations for any needed adjustments in the chemistry.

My Shaver 165 is still on order, should be ready for pickup in around 3 weeks - I hope.

Do use the softened water.

Steve

 

[fourapples]

I have my OWB loop water checked every year, the additive is not supposed to break down over time but with topping off once or twice a year it is a good idea to have it checked in case more is needed. The investment is too great to assume my water is good. Water quality will differ significantly just in my local area. Ph, sediment, iron content and corrosion inhibitor concentration are reported on my tests along with acceptable targets.

 

[Windwalker7]

I have a Shaver 165 on the way.( Which is another topic all by its self)

I already got the analysis andchemicals.


They send you some chemicals to add to the first water filling. These do something to treat the metal. You are supposed to circulate this water and chemicals for about 8 hours with a fire in the box. Then drain furnace.


After the drain, you refill and add the other chemicals.

 

[ghitch75]

Dan and fourapple where in Indiana are you guys at?...sorry for the high jack..

 

[Dan-o]

water

Ghitch75, sorry it took me so long to respond. I live in Woodburn, IN just outside of Fort Wayne.

Windwalker,

So you just sent the fill water sample into them, and then they send your analysis to you, and then you purchase the chemicals through them?

Thanks

 

[Windwalker7]

I sent a sample and they sent back an analysis with the chemicals. They will want another sample next spring. After the water has been in the furnace for a while. They will then adjust the chemicals for what you need.

If you call them they explain what they do. They are easy to talk to and the whole process is explained.

Phone; 1-920-382-6498

 

[jcappe]

I was worried about putting my VERY hard and nasty well water in my OWB, my dealer told me all I have to do is put in the treatment that comes with the boiler and I'll be fine. I'm not sure about it just for the simple fact that the guy with good water puts the same amount of treatment in as I did. I guess we'll see I just hate to have something go wrong when it was preventable.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Water treatment chemical supplier

www.rhomar.com

 

[ktm rider]

I work in a powerhouse with 500hp water tube boilers and we do alot of water analysis.
Water treatment is a very important part of keeping your boiler running properly but i see no harm in running your boiler for a week or so with just regular tap water in it. The treatment is used to keep corrosion down for the very long haul. a few weeks won't hurt a thing. Then once you get your test back you can either add the proper amount of nitrates, ( which is most likley what will be suggested) or you can easily just blow down the boiler, and refill per instructions.. You want your nitrates to be right at 350-450 ppm.

You will continually need to test your water, especially with non pressureized OWB's. That is another reason why I like my indoor coal boiler. It is pressureized and the chemical makeup very rarely changes because of lack of oxygen.

Bottom line-- Don't sweat it, running it for a week or so won't hurt a thing...

 

[cedarfarms]

soft water

i have calcium deposits from our well water in this area, so i use rain water in the owb. had the owb 7 years now and changed the water once.

just my 2 cents worth ..