What connections do I need for new calorifier?

alt

alt

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Hi all,
I plan to replace my current (tiny) calorifier with something larger (as in, 55 - 75l as I have loads of space) next Spring.

However, i'm not sure what new connections i'll need. I'm happy that the coolant lines will go straight onto the new calorifier, it's just the hot / cold connections i'm not sure about.

I will probably go with Surecal: http://www.surecal.co.uk/Product/SureCal.aspx
Have a look at the calorifier I want to get:
surecal_zps702c0fdd.jpg


It appears that all the connections assume that you have a flexible hose... you push on and tie up with a jubilee clip. This is fine for the coolant hoses, but take a look at my plastic hot/cold pipes. The current connections are quite common, you push into the connector and screw to tighten up..
IMAG1405_zps7mj5ucmg.jpg


IMAG1406_zpsbcaafluf.jpg


IMAG1407_zpsfyfjjrcr.jpg


IMAG1408_zpsklx89wgf.jpg


IMAG1409_zpsarcqrnjd.jpg


Can anyone shed light on how I go about making a connection between the plastic pipe and the calorifier?

On a side note, I can't help but notice there's no pressure relief valve on my current calorifier! Also I can't see any accumulator / expansion tank in the engine bay but there must be one somewhere as the pump has a soft start / stop.... anyone shed any light? The boat is a Cranchi Smeraldo and I notice on the Zaffiro 34 that the accumulator / expansion tank is also hidden somewhere
 
Ah, so it appears the connections are actually ready for 15mm push-fit plastic fittings, so shouldn't be relying on the library pictures from Surecal

"Surecal comes complete with thermostatic mixer valve, 4 bar pressure release valve, 1kw immersion heater, non return valve, 15mm barbed connections for coil and ready for push fit plastic plumbing in 15mm. Also supplied with st/steel saddles"

So, we can see from the top (hot) connection, all I need is to make off a new hose from the T-piece. The only complication is that I need to extend the cold feed plastic piping, shouldn't be much of an issue
 
alt said:
Ah, so it appears the connections are actually ready for 15mm push-fit plastic fittings, so shouldn't be relying on the library pictures from Surecal

"Surecal comes complete with thermostatic mixer valve, 4 bar pressure release valve, 1kw immersion heater, non return valve, 15mm barbed connections for coil and ready for push fit plastic plumbing in 15mm. Also supplied with st/steel saddles"

So, we can see from the top (hot) connection, all I need is to make off a new hose from the T-piece. The only complication is that I need to extend the cold feed plastic piping, shouldn't be much of an issue
Click to expand...

Just use 15mm push fit connectors (jg speed fit, hep 20 etc) and they fit straight on, I have been fitting Surecal for years now, they are as good as you will get and come ready to connect to h&c and engine. With the cleghorn tanks you buy everything seperate and pay nearly twice as much.
 
aquapower said:
Just use 15mm push fit connectors (jg speed fit, hep 20 etc) and they fit straight on, I have been fitting Surecal for years now, they are as good as you will get and come ready to connect to h&c and engine. With the cleghorn tanks you buy everything seperate and pay nearly twice as much.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. 5 mins of Googling shows you are of course right, there are plastic couplers etc. available. I should have gone Googling before asking. Plumbing really isin't my thing.

And I agree about Surecal, it's nice that all the accessories come fitted. I had read a previous thread complaining about the pressure valve giving trouble because their pump was too powerful, but I should be OK as my pump is rated at 2.4 bar.
 
Connections from calorifiers are 1/2"BSPM, from there either hose tails, mixers or any other fitting to interface with your plumbing can be used, 1/2BSP to 15mm push fit fittings are readily available in straight and angled, Screwfix are a convenient supplier. They are only tap connectors.
 
David2452 said:
Connections from calorifiers are 1/2"BSPM, from there either hose tails, mixers or any other fitting to interface with your plumbing can be used, 1/2BSP to 15mm push fit fittings are readily available in straight and angled, Screwfix are a convenient supplier. They are only tap connectors.
Click to expand...

The Surecal is supplied with the 1/2 bsp - 15mm connectors fitted so all you need is 15mm push fit connectors, and yes Screwfix is good supplier.
 
aquapower said:
The Surecal is supplied with the 1/2 bsp - 15mm connectors fitted so all you need is 15mm push fit connectors, and yes Screwfix is good supplier.
Click to expand...

Great, good to know, thanks. It's a project for next spring but good to have the research done now :)
 
Word of warning....
Not sure of the brand, but it was a popular make.......

Do not use any rotational force on any of the connectors..... they are sealed with a sealant and any attempt to tighten or loosen a plumbing fitting will cause it lo leak. Any further tightening to try to seal it will just make it worse.

Push fit plumbing sounds like a good solution.
 
From memory we had to change the outlets to allow speed-fit connections. They were sealed with silicone type sealant (which we replaced)
The hot outlet pipe is 'teed' to an expansion tank and the pressure release valve now goes to the bilge.

boiler_zpse0e6185e.jpg
 
Last edited:
jrudge said:
do you really want 75l of hot water?

Mixed that will give about 200 odd litres for a shower!
Click to expand...

SWMBO and I have agreed to meet half way and are going for a 65l tank. Yes, we'll use it. Between showering in the morning, lunch & dinner, we use a lot of hot water :)

adey - thanks for the pic, makes sense. May I ask... does your pressure relief valve ever come into use? I don't see any PRV on my current calorifier. It means i'll have to pipe it into a drain somewhere... the thought of any water in the bilge scares me (My bilge is bone dry all year round)
 
alt said:
May I ask... does your pressure relief valve ever come into use?
Click to expand...

No, It's a safety thing. Only comes into play in the unlikely event something goes wrong (and for draining the tank if you need to).

You can't have too much hot water. I only went for 55ltrs because that was the largest I could easily get in there.
 
adey said:
From memory we had to change the outlets to allow speed-fit connections. They were sealed with silicone type sealant (which we replaced)
The hot outlet pipe is 'teed' to an expansion tank and the pressure release valve now goes to the bilge.

boiler_zpse0e6185e.jpg
Click to expand...

That's not mounted correctly, cold should go in bottom as shown in #1
 
adey said:
From memory we had to change the outlets to allow speed-fit connections. They were sealed with silicone type sealant (which we replaced)
The hot outlet pipe is 'teed' to an expansion tank and the pressure release valve now goes to the bilge.

boiler_zpse0e6185e.jpg
Click to expand...

Only saw this now. Mine has arrived.

Am I right in saying that you took off the male pipe coming out of the hot/cold (water) and screwed on a plastic 15mm nut (that's what it looks like from the pic but want to be sure) - I think this is what i'd be looking at doing too.

I notice there is a one-way valve in the cold feed - this is embedded into the male copper pipe (waiting to take a push-fit) - were you able to get one of those plastic connectors with a one-way valve?

OR

I'm wondering, should I just get a push-fit connector to go onto the current copper (or brass, whatever it is) male fitting, and join up with the current plastic plumbing.
 
alt said:
Only saw this now. Mine has arrived.

Am I right in saying that you took off the male pipe coming out of the hot/cold (water) and screwed on a plastic 15mm nut (that's what it looks like from the pic but want to be sure) - I think this is what i'd be looking at doing too.

I notice there is a one-way valve in the cold feed - this is embedded into the male copper pipe (waiting to take a push-fit) - were you able to get one of those plastic connectors with a one-way valve?

OR

I'm wondering, should I just get a push-fit connector to go onto the current copper (or brass, whatever it is) male fitting, and join up with the current plastic plumbing.
Click to expand...

Easiest way is to use push fit connector straight on what's supplied.
 
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