Replacing Rad - Inhibitor or protector ?

[Guitar_man]

Apologies for a hijack, but I've a similar question so added here rather than on a new thread.
I have removed my bathroom rad, drained the system, and fitted new lock shields. How do I add the inhibitor? The bathroom rad won't be fixed on until I have finished refitting the bathroom, problem is the mrs wants the heating on. Can I use that screwfix kit to add the inhibitor somehow you til I add the new rad later. Can I run the heating with no inhibitor for a short period or will it corrode the CH. The water looks pretty clear to me.
TIA.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Won't do any harm to run without for a week or two.

 

[Guitar_man]

Well I decided to add the inhibitor, even if only for the rest of the winter. I used that screwfix kit, using the connector at the top of the rad.
I did find that each rad would not take the full 1litre, before it would allow any more in. So I had to go to another rad. Is this expected? I did undo the ppposite bleed valve. perhaps its getter with an upstairs rad? I ran the system with the gas off for a few minutes, then fired it up and worked ok. Is it better to use a big rad? I think the system was fully drained, so was surprised the rad/pipework wouldn't hold the 1litre. I heard it mentioned you can use the fernox filter to add the inhibitor, please can someone ellaboorate?

 

[Whitespirit66]

Should go in OK if system empty. Takes a bit of patience, squeezing bottle and waiting for air to enter bottle to allow displacement of inhibitor. I normally take out the whole vent plug at other end of rad, rather than just opening the vent. Goes in quicker.

There is a dosing point valve on top of the TF1 for use with the rapid dose type additive applicators. Or, I suppose if the system was empty, you could remove the top of the filter and pour in a standard 1L bottle.

 

[topgazza]

I'm waiting for the replacement rad to arrive so I have too much time on my hands thinking about this

The rad I am replacing is a designer one and i am not sure how much capacity it has so I like the look of this. Fernox seem to call their "inhibitor" protector....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fernox-superconcentrate-central-heating-protector/75330

Seems simple

"To use the applicator for direct dosing you isolate a radiator, release the pressure using the bleed valve, screw in the filling adaptor, and attach the "chemical tube", open a radiator valve, inject the chemical using a sealent type gun, then re-isloate the radiator and remove the filling adaptor."

Alternative for me is to fit the new rad, pour in as much inhibitor/protector as i can. If not enough. Isolate rad downstairs with drain point, drain the water out, pour in the rest of the chemical in that rad and fill/bleed as normal ?

 

[Guitar_man]

top gazza, from my experience gained today id say that put the inhibitor in the rad before you connect it to the system, ie fill it direct with inhibitor, while the lockshields are closed, the rad is likely to be empty. Ive read that the capacity of an 600mm is about 1.7l per metre, but my rad was about 1m and wouldnt take a full litre of the inhibitor, requiring another rad to be cleaned up, either my rads were full of sludge or still had some water left it.. ?

 

[topgazza]

Good point Jimbo. The concentrate is more expensive but is possibly a less "messy" way of adding it. But thats interesting about capacity of a rad. I shall read up a bit more

 

[Guitar_man]

The concentrate is proably the way to go, i was surprised how much mess there was. But i did fit my plug around the wrong way after i removed the screwfix no nonsense kit, resulting i a bit of inhibitor onto the floor, doh..

 

[Guitar_man]

Make sure you run the combi for a few minutes with the gas off after you fill it, before you turn the gas on, to circulate the water (useful tip i got off here, thanks).

 

[topgazza]

That makes sense... get the whole lot circulating first.

But how do you do that ? Isn't the pump connected to the boiler so won't work until there is hot water to circulate ? or just keep running it for a few short bursts ? Or am I just being dumb

 

[topgazza]

The good news is that the designer radiator I am using produced just over 2 litres of water so plenty of room for the inhibitor. Must admit with its slimline design It didn't look like it held that much

I know you were all waiting with baited breath for me to get back to you

All I have to do now is wait fro the replacement to arrive