Archie Kidd Boilers

G

GeorgeBramwell

I have only ever come across one of these once many years ago. It may fit the bill for a boiler change. Can anyone answer these:

1. Is it a full pumped boiler?
2. Can TRVs be fitted on all rads using an Alpha pump?
3. What is the water capacity of the heat exchanger?
4. How many tappings on the heat exchanger?
5. Is there stored water of some description in the casing?

thanks
 
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But George old son, you shouldn't be fitting boilers for people as you are not a RGI.
 
1. Yes
2. Not recommended. An Alpha is unlikely to survive if fitted in the casing, which is a key part of the Kidd design, retaining pump heat in the boiler jacket. Experiments have been carried out with verispeed pumps and their lifespan has always been reduced in this hot location.
3. Depends on the model
4. Four - but follow the manufacturer recommendations re usage
5. It has a high water content but is not really a heatstore
 
1. Yes
2. Not recommended. An Alpha is unlikely to survive if fitted in the casing, which is a key part of the Kidd design, retaining pump heat in the boiler jacket. Experiments have been carried out with verispeed pumps and their lifespan has always been reduced in this hot location.
3. Depends on the model
4. Four - but follow the manufacturer recommendations re usage
5. It has a high water content but is not really a heatstore

Thanks. No. 5, do you mean water is only in the heat exchanger?
 
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Yes, you have a non condensing welded tube boiler in the base, plus an economiser (secondary heat exchanger) in the area above. There is a lot of water in the two boilers, and the pump is sensibly located between the two to minimise turbulance etc.

The boiler is designed to act as a buffer between demand and burner.

It is not a modern product, being designed between 1959-1982, but the engineering principles were sound, and remain valid. Mr A Kidd managed to design the UK's first condensing boiler right first time.

Many modern boiler manufacturers with huge budgets and design teams have failed where he triumphed years before.

He demonstrated his Model 2 oil running (without a flue) in 1982 at the IEE London, to much acclaim.

Clearly representatives from some of the UK boiler industry weren't in the audience, because they were still designing rubbish 20 years later.
 
Whilst it was a very unique design which has been surprisingly reliable and longlived it has failed to take the market by storm.

I dont know how many have been manufactured but I expect its similar to the Morgan cars where purchasors wait a long time for one to come off the production line and then enjoy driving in a car of an outdated design.

Tony
 
George you can just phone them up, they're a very helpful company. Although bear in mind they might not give such technical information to a non RGI. You should get your RGI to phone them for you :D
 
They are usually available within 14 days.

Unlike a Morgan they are designed purely to be economical and long lived.

Even modern big brand condensing boilers struggle to meet BOTH these objectives. The Kidd is still relevant for those in the know - we fit a fair number each year.
 
The Green
Poulshot
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1RT


Tel: (01380) 828123
Fax: (01380) 828186

Archie Kidd (Thermal) Ltd -
'they don't make them like this anymore':




While the domestic boiler industry has been busy developing complex new condensing boilers, with aluminium downward firing heat exchangers and NASA grade electronics, a boiler manufacturer in Wiltshire has been watching with bemusement. Because there is nothing 'new' in condensing boiler technology.

During his demonstration to a live audience at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London in 1982, Archie Kidd described how his 'Model 1' condensing boiler could achieve huge energy savings whilst having a projected design life of 25 -30 years.
Some 27 years on, the late Archie Kidd's claims proved to be correct. Most of his early boilers are still earning their keep and the company continues to manufacture the design today. A few changes have been made over the intervening years, the most notable being a change in colour, from red to white.

What surprises industry professionals is that these superbly engineered but almost electronics-free boilers are amongst the most efficient on the market in 2009 (oil fired units are SEDBUK A rated).

The Archie Kidd range covers models for medium sized houses starting at 90,000Btu, up to boilers for very large commercial premises. All the boilers are floor standing and will not fit inside a kitchen unit! They are ideally located in a garage or utility room.

When one takes into account the longevity and reliability track record of these units, they represent an excellent investment. However, this is before you factor in 'standing losses', an important calculation - not fully included in the SEDBUK test routine, which only measures efficiency when the boiler is firing. The Kidd design is highly insulated, which means the boiler fires less often. Even the pump is intentionally located within the insulated heatstore area, to minimise unnecessary water and electrical heat loss.

They are solid engineering; no pointless adornments, designed to do the job, and made to last.

Where there are problems with flues, Kidd can design and manufacture a bespoke system out of aluminium; this has been particularly useful with listed buildings.

Available in oil or gas versions, we are your regional experts. We also service existing Kidd units and carry out maintenance work.

NB: if you are located in another part of the UK to Hot Water & Central Heating, Kidd Boilers can be contacted on 01380 828490.
 
Have they improved the C***py Condensate Tray design yet?? it's the only thing wrong with the kidd design, I've lost count on the number of condenser trays that have rotted through causing acidic water to rust the outer casing through, the top cover on the primary heat exchanger could be a lot better too, as the single bolt fixing often shears off when removing the nut, overall I rate the A. Kidd design very highly, but there are one or two production engineering issues that could be improved
 
To put this into perspective, the condense tray is a bit of a pig to replace, but it is a cheap part and might be expected to last 15 years before it needs attention.

In contrast, few condensing boilers in the mass market will ever get to see their 15th birthday.
 

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