Back boiler questions

ninja 12

Hi all ,

We ( my wife and I ) moved house at the end of May and I have a few questions .

The new house has a Firebird oil boiler and a Grant back boiler - looks like this one - Triple Pass Back Boiler .

We got the boiler serviced as it had been neglected , and I also thoroughly cleaned the back boiler and had the chimney swept .


When I took the front plates off the back boiler to clean it , the channels inside it were so caked up with soot and dirt you wouldn't have been able to pass a cigarette paper around it .

Anyway , to my questions -

1, There is a thermostat and pump in the hotpress beside the fireplace .
Should it be set to 1 , 2 , or 3 and whet temp should the thermostat be set to .

2, I assume coal is the best fuel for a back boiler ?
I lit a couple of fires (not huge ones ) using a fire log and a few briquettes and the water got a bit warm but the rads didn't really heat up ( only the bathroom one got a good bit of heat )

3, I would like to install an inset stove next year , what about the back boiler ?

Does it need to be ripped out and replaced with a Stanley Cara+ Insert Stove (or similar ) or can the existing back boiler be used ?

4, What happens if there's a power cut when the fire's lit and the pump isn't running ? Is it worth worrying about ?

Sorry for all the questions , but it's been about 15 years since I've used a fire with a back boiler .


Thanks

donedl1

Turn the stat down to zero to see if the pump runs and you hear water moving. A pump that is not in use can seize and will need a service or replacement. If you feel the pump is working then set the stat at mid temperature and light a smallish fire. If the system responds well then set the temperature at about 60 C and see how the system copes. Unlike stoves back-boilers are usually about the 8 KW range so in the event of a power cut running the hot tap in the kitchen will clear the cylinder so that it can absorb the output from the back-boiler. Replacing the back-boiler with a stove will lessen heat loss from the house via the open chimney.

ninja 12

donedl1 wrote: »

Turn the stat down to zero to see if the pump runs and you hear water moving. A pump that is not in use can seize and will need a service or replacement. If you feel the pump is working then set the stat at mid temperature and light a smallish fire. If the system responds well then set the temperature at about 60 C and see how the system copes. Unlike stoves back-boilers are usually about the 8 KW range so in the event of a power cut running the hot tap in the kitchen will clear the cylinder so that it can absorb the output from the back-boiler. Replacing the back-boiler with a stove will lessen heat loss from the house via the open chimney.

Hi ,

The pump is working fine , I was wondering what speed it should be set to ( 1,2 or 3 )

So , 60 C is what the stat should be set to ?

Thanks

Dtp1979

ninja 12 wrote: »

Hi ,

The pump is working fine , I was wondering what speed it should be set to ( 1,2 or 3 )

So , 60 C is what the stat should be set to ?

Thanks

Yes 60. The speed depends on the pump size and other factors like tank head And height

ninja 12

Dtp1979 wrote: »

The speed depends on the pump size and other factors like tank head And height

Thanks ,

It's a bungalow ,if that matters , I've attached a pic of the hotpress






.

Dtp1979

ninja 12 wrote: »

Thanks ,

It's a bungalow ,if that matters , I've attached a pic of the hotpress






.

Can you go a little closer.

ninja 12

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Can you go a little closer.

Which bit do you want a close up of ?

Dtp1979

ninja 12 wrote: »

Which bit do you want a close up of ?

The pump, the non return valves and the pipework at the boiler if it's visible

ninja 12

Dtp1979 wrote: »

The pump, the non return valves and the pipework at the boiler if it's visible

@ Dtp1979,
Went away for a couple of days , then forgot to reply , sorry
I'll add pics later , or in the morning

ninja 12

Here's a few pics of the hot press .



Feed from back boiler



Close up of pump



Top of hot press (pipes going to attic)



Immersion tank






I assume all the red valves in the hot press have to be fully open , is this correct ?

I'll get a pic of the boiler in a while.

.

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/92639484#Comment_92639484

Can you run through that again? Are you saying you can use the stove even if the pump is off due to a power cut?

Dtp1979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118421897#Comment_118421897

Yes of course. Radiators won’t heat but water will. Assuming it’s piped correctly if course