Sentinel/Protex

Merch

I'm looking for some information on cleaning and inhibiting products for heating systems.

Sentinel or Protex, is one better than the other? these are two products that I can see on the shelf and a quick search online confirms these are two of the more commonly known producers.

Does anyone know where the Sentinel X100 test kits are available?
I tried to find a location from sentinels webpage but it doesn't give anywhere in Dublin.

shane0007

I only use Fernox.

crosstownk

I use Fernox Protector F1. I've been replacing radiators over the last few years as I renovate each room so I pour it in before I fit a new rad. It also comes in a syringe thing which allows you to 'inject' it via a bleed valve.

Merch

Thanks, I saw the fernox product, but the ranges are not complete (ie not available)
Only Sentinel had what i wanted in both system cleaner and inhibitor,

The protex is cheaper, but only the inhibitor was available but not the universal cleaner,
Only a few bottles of the fernox stuff, but I have seen a smattering of accessories.

I was wondering did anyone have opinions on the protex stuff, or any product, how do you measure its effectiveness?
did you use cleaner first then inhibitor or have you just added inhibitor?

I have the Sentinel products now (X100 and X400) and I see they also have a quick kit for testing the X100 (dilution? presumably)

I am going to drain the system, replace a few rads, connect them but leave them shut off from the system and hence cleaner, refill with the X400 cleaner from the header tank and run, its says minimum for a few hours but for up to 4 weeks, I'm thinking at least for a few days, then flush the system (systematically) but, here's the but, it only says to thoroughly flush the system of the cleaner, not really that specific.
There is a system check kit, but thats for after the inhibitor is added.
I think that is a bit much for me, I'm looking at using the X100 quick test kit, but cant see a retailer in ireland.

DGOBS

Check the system cleanliness using a TDS meter

Merch

Not sure how much one one of those meters costs, dont really want to buy one for a one off (ie myself)
I was wondering if there is a seperate tester like the quick test kit here

http://www.sentinel-solutions.net/product/listing/central-heating/jetflush-and-test-kits/

something like that test for dissolved solids, like the x100 quick test which looks like it tests for the amount of inhibitor in the system.

edit, quick google suggest they are not too expensive (TDS meter)
I probably wont be getting one of those though, but I think I will arrange for someone to collect an X100 quick test kit for me, which at about 5 euro seems like a good idea.
I'll just flush thoroughly
Is there an emoticon for tumbleweed?

shane0007

The only experience I have had with Protex, was when I bled a system with it in, bubbles came out and I mean bubbles and more bubbles and then some more bubbles. We are talking lots of bubbles here.... I asked the client what the hell was in the system and he produced an empty bottle of Protex. He did say it was cheap though, so I may buy it for the kids!

shane0007

BTW what is not available in the Fernox range that is in the Sentinel range?

Merch

shane0007 wrote: »

BTW what is not available in the Fernox range that is in the Sentinel range?

I mean it wasn't available on the shelf,
Sentinel was the only product that was on the shelf that had system cleaner and inhibitor available at the time, as for the protex, thats what i was wondering, as its cheaper is it worth it at all or is it just as good?

I've got the sentinel products so I'll follow up to see how it all goes.

JohnnieK

If you are using Sentinal make sure you use x400 for cleaning and not x800, the 800 is for a flushing machine.

Put it in for about a week before you start and run the heating as normal then drain it completely.

I use Sentinal myself.

Merch

I have x400 and X100 for inhibiting.

I originally bought X300, exchanged it for X400.

I have another thread going that i didnt check, when its drained, Im thinking of fitting a proper drain valve as its handier using one, than disconnecting the rad when it needs to be drained and flushed.

Would X400 be ok to flush using a machine if it was still in the system if/when that was done?
What would the advantages of using X800 (from reading it up, its a more aggressive cleaner?)

JohnnieK

You can buy rad valves with drain cocks built into them, that might be an easier option for you.

A system cleaner should not be left in a system for too long. I normally inject x400 a week or so before a flush so it can work its magic. I then arrive connect my machine and depending on how bad the system is I might put more x400 in or x800 and flush with the machine.

Most of the time the week with the cleaner in has worked wonders and I would just flush.

Merch

JohnnieK wrote: »

You can buy rad valves with drain cocks built into them, that might be an easier option for you.

A system cleaner should not be left in a system for too long. I normally inject x400 a week or so before a flush so it can work its magic. I then arrive connect my machine and depending on how bad the system is I might put more x400 in or x800 and flush with the machine.

Most of the time the week with the cleaner in has worked wonders and I would just flush.

I appreciate that advice, I was not aware of that, I'll have a look out for one of those, there is very little room where the pipes come out of the wall, to the valve, so that would be ideal.
It saves me making a hole,trying to work in small space with my hands to attach a drain fitting to a pipe.
I'll run it for a week with the x400 and drain it, see what comes out, (hopefully not all the inside) and make an update here.
Thanks.

JohnnieK

Myson is the brand to ask for.

Merch

Good stuff,
Nice selection of products on their site too,
I haven't seen TRV's with a 90 degree bend, I always thought if i was getting something like that done, it'd require a bit of jigging with adding a bend to the pipework coming out of the wall (downstairs).

Sparkpea

I used Sentinel for years and its good. I use fernox now but only because my local wholesaler doesn't stock sentinel anymore