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Thanks Ladas,
I called the company today and they'll send me a quote for the specs.
As a ball park the specs were as follows :
- 80 degree coolant
- Main Pressure water
- 55 degree output
- output 10 litres per min
These guys make them with S/S and rubber seals, which means that the water would be suitable for drinking / cooking.
I wonder whether the price would be suitable? I'll keep you posted.
I'd be interested to hear how you go.
I thought such devices would be great within 30mins or so of arriving after a long drive, but I doubt they would work if you wanted to have a shower in the morning for example, since the Tdi just doesnt warm up when idling.
Okay, while I await some quotes, here is a chart with some heat transfer figures for the compact plate unit from ebay shown below. The unit on ebay is a 30 plate unit, the figures are for an older 20 plate exchanger.
It's S/S with 99.9% purity copper weld. Would this be safe for drinking water? I know the copper ones (like Helton) aren't, but then again so much water pipe is made from copper. I'm confused, so a technical / scientific explanation from the better informed would be appreciated.
Thanks.b
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...007/07/482.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...007/07/483.jpg
Micheal
Sorry no pics yet.
Had Jeff(Jik22) down last sunday to sort out his MIG welder and do a weld job for him,Had to move him on as I got a call out to remove storm damage for work.
Will try to post pics this weekend,SORRY MATE!!!!
Andrew
These would be perfectly safe for drinking water - in fact I cannot understand why Heldon copper ones are not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael2
As you state most water pipe is copper, and in the uk, we have copper pipe and copper water tanks.
UPDATE
I contacted the company Ladas suggested and they were able to supply me with a very thorough quote, that included the surface area & heat exchange calculations. They were able to confirm that the S/S unit would be safe for drinking (potable) water. However, their price was $550 :o, which is a bit steep for a shower unit.
I ended up buying 2 of the 20 Plate exchangers from the ebay guy, at $100ea including postage. I had to get 2 to get that price, and a mates taking the 2nd one. They just arrived now, so I will keep you updated on their performance. I'll try to get flow rate and temperature figures once I've got it installed.
The ones I ended up getting have a greater surface area than the more expensive ones, and they had been calculated to deliver water at 50 degrees!!! So I may need to set up a pump with a T-Piece, going to a COLD water tap, and a HOT water tap via the exchanger.
Hmmm, HOT and COLD running water, suitable to drinking & food preparation. :D
Watching with interest Michael
Thanx
UPDATE
I installed the heat exchanger, there was a bit of a delay waiting for some hose connectors.
So here's the TEST DATA.
I drove the car for about 7min to get the temp up, then idled while I operated the exchanger.
Using a cheap $20 camping shower pump (I'm not sure of the flow rate) I was able to get water at 40-42 deg C. This was with the water flowing into a cup and constantly overflowing, that way trying to achieve a mean average temp.
We then measured the coolant temp and that was 60 deg C.
So hopefully with a temp closer to 80 deg I'll get hotter water.
At this rate I won't bother to fit a permanent pump with pressure switch and HOT and COLD taps. I'll just use the water tank (when I get it) for cold water and this for showers.
Higher flow rates using 1/2" hose resulted in temps below 30 deg.
The temps were measured using a digital thermometer and a laser thermometer at a local radiator shop. Thanks to NATRAD in Bayswater.
I'll try to upload & post some pics of the installation, depending what time the kids get to bed tonight.
I used some h/duty clamps. The last thing I wanted was to inadvertently cook my motor with a DIY project.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2007/07/68.jpg
A clamping bracket was made using less than $2 worth of this flat steel bracket stuff from Bunnings. A bit of rubber lined the edges and it was mounted under the front (R) guard, back to back with the radiator expansion tank. Note the brass connectors for the heater hoses and plastic connections for the less critical fresh water flow. The suppliers recommended using the PINK Teflon tape on all connections. It's a bit thicker than the white one.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2007/07/69.jpg
The heater hoses as 3/4" (19mm) and the hoses I ran to the heat exchanger were 1/2" (12mm). Plastic adaptos from an irrigation harware shop were $2ea. It would have cost over $30 and required several pieces to get the same in brass. The more pieces, the increased liklihood of leaking. Plus at only $2ea, it's easy enough to carry a spare.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2007/07/70.jpg
FLOW RATES
The $20 Camping shower was tested.
Straight through flow without the shower head was 2 litres in 19.27 sec. (about 6lpm)
Flow through the Heat Exchanger, again without the shower head was 2 litres in 29sec. (about 4lpm)
Flow through the Heat Exchanger and shower head was 2 litres in 58sec. (2lpm)
This was HOT enough for a shower, but not for coffee. Slowing the rate didn't get it HOT enough for coffee either.:(
Using already heated water, recycling the warm water got it scorching for a shower, but still not hot enough for coffee.