Can I fit an Essex Flange Here?

[kevnurse]

Although I am quite experienced in plumbing, as a DIYer, I am about to install a power shower for the first time. It is an Aqualisa pumped shower, that permits installation of the (supplied) dual pump in the loft (provided that its below the bottom of the CW storage tank). Having read through all the archives here, it appears that an Essex flange is the best method of drawing off the hot water from the DHW cylinder. My cylinder has a blanked-off hole in, what I believe to be, the ideal place for the flange. The cylinder is indirectly heated and the heating coil is on the opposite side. I have supplied 2 photos. My questions are:

1. Is this blanked off aperture simply a hole that a flange can be fitted on to, or is there a spare heating coil behind it?

2. Is this an Essex flange? If not, what size flange should I order (I will be using 22mm pipes up to the loft). In either case, what other connectors would I need?

Many thanks.
Kev

Untitled

• kevnurse
• 22 Aug 2009
• 1

Untitled

• kevnurse
• 22 Aug 2009
• 1

 

[Nige F]

It`s a secondary circuit return tapping ..1" BSP . Nothing behind it . I would get a 1" x22mm compression MIron/copper fitting . Then with a file or a Dremel take out the pipe stop so that the copper pipe goes through into the void , that will a void any air bubbles entering the pipe as they klingon to the sides of the cylinder

 

[ColJack]

you wouldn't believe the sites that come up if you google essex flange..
what is one and how do you fit it?

 

[dreadnoughtheating]

This will sound blindingly obvious - but - drain the cylinder first......

You may need to apply a gentle heat to remove the plug from the thread as well.

Good point from a previous poster about air bubbles rising at the side of the cylinder, could you just not fit a 'surrey' flange? It comes with a dip-tube to prevent air bubbles entering the showers draw off pipework.

DH

 

[kevnurse]

Thanks for the advice to drain down the cylinder first. It wouldn't be the first time that I forgot to do it (and probably not the last, either).

I like the idea of extending the outlet tube into the tank to avoid the bubbles on the internal side of the wall.

I am aware of the dip tube on the surrey and warix flanges, but my reason for not choosing either is that, if the top hole in the cylinder is not enlarged to accommodate the flange, the flow rate through each outlet must be reduced. However, I have never seen these flanges before (except a few photos) so I could be mistaken. If I'm wrong about the flow rates, and please tell me if I am, I will consider fitting a surrey or warix.

Regards
Kev

 

[SUPERPLUMBER]

some aqualisa pumped showers (hiqu etc) will allow a hot water tapping directly from the domestic hot water pipe on top of the cylinder. Ive fitted one in this position without any hot water draw off problems. This will obviously avoid having to tart around fitting a flange. alhtough check the install instructions

 

[Nige F]

You got a 1" bsp sec. return tapping, You will have a 1" Bsp top tapping . You can use the vent as a draw off but it has to rise @ 45 degrees and the take off tee hangs down underneath ( again for air bubbles- Not as bad as bubbles in a hypo. )

 

[Boilerman2]

I've only fitted one Essex Flange in my life...it was one of the most scarey experiences ever!!! won't be doing it again any time soon

Surrey Flange is a much easier and safer bet.

There is much to go wrong with an essex!

 

[dreadnoughtheating]

At the risk of repetition here, I have an Aqualisa Quartz digi shower ('bout 4 years old now). It runs just fine off a surrey flange.

The biggest problem when installed was getting the teenagers out of the cubicle in time to leave some hot water for the next one.

Had to fit a Manco monster cylinder (approx 150 litres capacity).

only joking here, but fit the remote option controller outside the shower room

DH

 

[Nige F]

There is much to go wrong with an essex!

The Sussex flange is a belter.. Cut hole with scribe cutter in brace+bit. Clean round hole till shiny .Tin with lead solder+ flux. Stick pipe in ...wipe joint with grade D stick solder..job`s a good`un