Best Magnetic Filter

[thomp1983]

Hi all,

Finally finished adding the last radiator to our heating system so now I'm looking towards protecting it all.

We have an ideal logic+ c30 boiler and 11 rads, most of the rads are new as is much of the pipework, what isn't has been well rinsed through at various times when installing the new stuff, below is a picture of the water I've bled from the system today and as you can see it's fairly clean.

Above is a picture of the pipework next to our boiler, I believe there is plenty of room there to fit a magnetic filter so my question is which one to go for and secondly which of the 2 pipes is the return?

The one marked 1 goes to the valve that is opened when topping the pressure up, the one marked 2 goes to the pressure gauge.

And finally how much inhibitor do I need, most of the rads are double panels, I've already got a litre of the below flume stuff that came free with one of the rads I bought,

Is that suitable or should I go for another brand or product? I believe I'll be able to introduce it to the system through the filter once fitted the after running the system for a few days I'll be able to test the strength in the filter and adjust accordingly?

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[JohnD]

My system is quite big and contains just on 100 litres including the cylinder coil, so your 11 rads should be about right.

If you fit a magnetic filter, you will find it picks up the residue of sediment that is disturbed during alterations, over the next month or so, then remains clean. I hope you used a cleaning agent such as X400 first, to loosen it?

Presumably yours is a sealed system do will not get more oxygenated water except if you have to top it up.

I am quite happy with Magnaclean now, the early ones were notorious for leaky valves but that seems fixed now, and you can get replacement sealing rings for the cap when needed.

You can easily verify the return pipe, because it will be about 20C cooler than the flow. I like to tie luggage labels on the pipes,

Insulate those pipes.

 

[endecotp]

which of the 2 pipes is the return?

Get the manual for your boiler; it will identify the order of thr connections under the boiler. Then just follow the pipes.

Insulate those pipes.

Yes!

 

[Exedon]

Fernox tf1 omega solid brass construction no leaking top O ring 25 year warranty.
Until they brought out there own copy was supplied by Ideal themselves.

 

[Mottie]

Fernox tf1 omega solid brass construction no leaking top O ring 25 year warranty.
Until they brought out there own copy was supplied by Ideal themselves.

Yeah. I have one of those too. Nice, neat, compact metal unit.

 

[fixitflav]

I believe I'll be able to introduce it to the system through the filter once fitted the after running the system for a few days I'll be able to test the strength in the filter and adjust accordingly?

Many years ago I bought a Sentinel test kit (it wasn't cheap!) but I found the colour chart pretty inconclusive. Nowadays I do a bright wire nail test once a year and top up inhibitor if needed.
As you say, the filter is ideal for taking a water sample and adding inhibitor.

 

[thomp1983]

Can someone confirm the fernox unit linked below is the correct one?

https://ebay.io/m/aKR2vA

 

[Mottie]

Can someone confirm the fernox unit linked below is the correct one?

https://ebay.io/m/aKR2vA

Yes, that’s the one I have but I bought one without the valves or additive. Currently £97 at B&Q.

 

[thomp1983]

I'm tempted to go with the valves so that I can easily isolate it and the central heating system in the future or am I over thinking it and there aren't many situations where the valves are needed?

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[JohnD]

They do occasionally need service, repair or replacement.

I have one of the old brass spiro trap ones that I think is clogged. If it had isolating valves I would have whisked it off.

I had an early Magnaclean in a different house and it needed a new cap seal.

 

[Mottie]

I'm tempted to go with the valves so that I can easily isolate it and the central heating system in the future or am I over thinking it and there aren't many situations where the valves are needed?

Thanks,
Chris.

My thinking was that the valves may impeded the flow. Also, if you closed both valves, how would you drain it - you'd at least have to open one of them so why put them on in the first place? In any case, my filter is next to the boiler and the boiler is in the loft. If I needed to remove it, I’d only need to drain a couple of pints out of the system.

 

[gas112]

Do not Worry about it going on the return put it where ever is easiest for you its a marketing gimmick to say it must go on the return to stop anything going through the boiler as it catches very little on the first pass and then it passes through the boiler millions of times in the next year before it gets cleaned on a service .
your return is pipe 1

 

[gas112]

this filter is made by adey for plumb centre and is solid with a built in bypass for cleaning it no need for additional valves and excellent value for money

Center System Filter 22 mm | Wolseley

Looking for a Center FL1-03-03657? Order from Wolseley today - free delivery or click and collect available nationwide.

www.wolseley.co.uk