Bodger seeks advice on Magnaclean

[JohnD]

Although my system seems fairly clean (it is well-inhibited and was powerflushed a few years ago after an un-noticed dripping ball valve washed out the inhibitor), I am toying with fitting a magnet.

The 1st floor Flamingo runs 28mm to the 2nd floor airing cupboard, where there is a 3-port valve and the pump withg 22mm to the rads. I have had a look at the instructions and the Mag should preferably be fitted round here. However the airing cupboard is crammed with pipes and I think I would have to loop up from the pump, fit the mag above the cylinder, then loop back down. There is insufficient room above the boiler.

As I am a slow worker, and very lazy, I have been looking for an easier place to put it.

I can see I could put it on the 15mm feed that loops down to the hall rad (which has no TRV and being the coldest area is constantly on).

I can see that this will only take about 10% of the flow so would be like a by-pass filter rather than a full flow.

Is it worth doing this, or shall I wait till the old boiler dies and I'm forced to splash out on a new one? When I had the un-noticed drip, I had a sediment blockage which was cut out.

 

[Agile]

Unless there is a fault on your system then I dont see what you expect to gain.

The magnetic filters like a Magnaclean or a DIY equivalent are only very useful when the boiler is a combi with a plate heat exchanger which easily blocks.

Your boiler is very tolerant to dirt in the system.

Tony

 

[JohnD]

Thanks! I won't bother then

The boiler kettles a bit but when I evenutually have to replace it I will try to get a System boiler, not a Combi. I like the sound of the ones with Stainless exchangers.

 

[Agile]

If its kettling a bit but the water is reasonable clear then you should put Sentinel X200 in the system.

You can leave it in and it may reduce the kettling over a few weeks.

Tony

 

[JohnD]

Done, that, it still bonks more than I do

 

[ChrisR]

I think it was namsag who said it can take 2 or 3 bottles. Worth tipping some more inperhaps.
Far less trouble than bonking.

 

[Agile]

You mention bonking but I think you mean bumping!

Kettling is more like a hissing. Caused by a thin layer of lime scale.

Bumping is like a heavy box being lifted a few inches and dropped.

Its not clear exactly what the difference is in the cause but I have always immagined that the bumping is caused by heavy sludge.

I would recommend that you isolate all the rads and use 1/3 tub of DS40 just in the boiler and run it on low heat on HW only for a few hours gently increasing the temperature. It may bubble a bit!

Then drain and flush out twice before refilling.

Using DS40 is a little risky as its a mild acid!

Tony

 

[namsag]

Although what agile says makes sense in the case of the potterton Flamingo/kingfisher it is the design of the internal waterways that as it starts to scale it sounds like someone is battering it with a big hammer. Had one for years and had a load on contract always found it took 2 bottles to quiet them down.

But remember and put it in right, tie ball valve up let system drain for five mins then close drain cock pour x200 in and then release ball valve that way it all gets drawn into the system . Just tipping it into a full tank does not work

 

[Paul Barker]

Also proves the cold feed isn't blocked, whence pouring a bottle in definately does nothing.

 

[JohnD]

Haven't got round to it yet...

But I will give the DS40 a try with the rads closed off, now that heating isn't required so there are no time constraints. Hope this will stop my Flamingo bonking

I happen to have a Magnaclean in my hands today (bought it to put in my mum's house) and have worked out that I can connect it (say, to the bathroom rad valves) with 3/4" washing machine hoses.

Is there any point in doing this during the clean? For example, will it dislodge sediment and send fragments hurtling round the pipes?

I have drawn off a jar of water from a rad, and put the magnet in it, although the water looks slightly brownish, it is transparent and there is no sediment, and the magnet has not found anything.

(I am rather proud of my high level of cleanliness)