How To Fill a Radiant Heat System with Glycol - Day 1, Episode 43 [1-26-2021]

In this video, I show day 1 of how I filled my radiant heat and heated driveway snowmelt system with a 40% mixture of glycol. The glycol I used was Cryotek-100 which comes already diluted, so some math is needed to ensure I didn't dilute it to much. For the protection I desired (freeze protection to -15ºF, pumpable down to -26ºF, and burst down to -60F), it ended up being 2 gallons of distilled water for every 5 gallons of Cryotek-100. To ensure a thorough mix, I used a 30 gallon storage tote and added the 2 gallons of distilled water followed but the 5 gallons of propylene glycol. I then pumped from the container, and added more glycol and water as needed. Be sure to subscribe so your notified when I post Day 2 and beyond!
If you’re new to my channel and want to follow this project from the beginning (in order, regardless of upload date), I highly recommend you visit my Heated Driveway / Snowmelt playlist which can be found here: • Heated Driveway / Snow...
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
06:20 - Purging Radiant Loop 1
13:45 - Purging Radiant Loop 4
21:59 - Purging Radiant Loop 5
27:55 - Purging Radiant Zone 6
32:55 - Refractometer Calculations
33:52 - Recap & Outro
Below are links to several of the products, tools, video equipment and channels that I used to build the system. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Products I used to build the system:
-Takagi T-H3-DV-N Tankless Water Heaters (2): amzn.to/3Fe6nbu
-3" Diversitech Concentric Vent Kits (2): amzn.to/32ja8h2
-Taco 0013-SF3 Circulator Pump Stainless Steel (3): amzn.to/3yVwtOh
-Taco 006-ST4 Recirc Pump (2): amzn.to/3eyy432
-Taco VT2218 Variable Speed ECM Pump (2): amzn.to/3sKVL0f
-100 Plate Flat Plate Heat Exchanger 400,000 BTU's: amzn.to/3pbMlsE
-Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch with SimpleWire (2): amzn.to/3sj3p1G
-1 1/2" Epoxy Coated Copper Tube Split Ring Extension Hangers (10): amzn.to/3EalIZm
-1" Epoxy Coated Copper Tube Split Ring Extension Hangers (20): amzn.to/33Kkd7C
-1" Swing Check Valves (5): amzn.to/3pBg8Lo
-10"x8" ABS Plastic Dustproof Waterproof IP65 Junction Box: amzn.to/3FCfbrX
-Waterproof Dustproof IP67 Junction Box Gray 6.9 x 4.9 x 3.9 inch: amzn.to/3pynDmn
-Wayne PC4 1/2 HP Cast Iron Pump for Filling: amzn.to/32L4Xqk
-Ranco ETC-111000 Digital Temperature Controls (5): amzn.to/3HknvNj
-Rubber Washing Machine Fill Hoses, 3/4 inch FHT, 8 Ft: amzn.to/3mGUzXZ
Tools I used to build the system:
-12" Adjustable Wrenches (2): amzn.to/3HhAzTF
-Rectorseal No. 5 Pipe Thread Sealant: amzn.to/3HiR0Px
-Blue Monster 1/2" Blue Teflon Tape: amzn.to/3JnhqBF
-High Intensity Trigger Start Mapp Gas Torch Head: amzn.to/3z6l0LE
-14.1 oz Bernzomatic Pre-Filled MAP-Pro Gas Torch Style Cylinders (2): amzn.to/3EEA1FM
-Oatey 29025 Safe-Flo Wire Solder, 1 Lb Bulk, Solid, Gray, Silver: amzn.to/3z6PWLI
-9'' x 12'' Welding Pad Protector, Carbon Felt Torch Soldering Heat Shield, High Temp Flame--Resistant Fabric, Plumbers Pad: amzn.to/3Hk9y22
What I use to record my videos and time lapse videos:
-GoPro Hero 8: amzn.to/3qu6ppC
-Joby JB01507 GorillaPod 3K Kit : amzn.to/3pClzde
-SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC Memory Card: amzn.to/3zdZJjd
The playlist will have all of my videos in the correct order form start to present, regardless of the date I uploaded them. It starts with how I designed the PEX and Snowmelt Loop Layout, shows the process of installing the actual heated concrete slab, demonstrates how I did the math to calculate the boiler and pump sizes, installation of all of the components, and ends with lots of time-lapse of the system melting snow. It also includes snowmelt system startup and shutdown videos, as well as walkthroughs of the mechanical room, continuous circulation design and electrical system.
I will be uploading more videos of the system in action each winter, as well as several videos of the installation process, including soldering, filling with glycol, venting, etc. If there is something in particular you would like to see, please ask, and I will make a video of it.
If you enjoy my content, please consider subscribing to my channel by clicking the following link: / @deckerchristopherj
Here are some other channels, videos and websites that helped me learn to do all of this:
Steven Lavimoniere: / stevenlavimoniere
My Garage Build: / mygaragebuild
ToooBizzy: • Floor Heat Boiler
Radiant Floor Company: www.radiantcompany.com/system...
Car Wash Forum: www.carwashforum.com
#heateddriveway #snowmelt #buffalo

[@mariusm3595]

Awesome videos...

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

Thanks Marius, I appreciate it! 😀

[@jk15214]

If you Double up the hose washers, it will seal.

[@nicorizzo3607]

Hello Sir, how do i purge my system? And not have the heater running?

[@ScrapFatherScrapSon]

Does every room in your house have heated floors? Along with the driveway?

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

Hey Taylor! Not every room, but most of them. The house is already heated with a forced air furnace, this just takes the edge off and keeps the tile warm. I am now using it as the primary source of heat in my detached garage and basement though. 👍

[@nicorizzo3607]

Hey Buddy I'm getting ready to fill my system up with water & glycol, diluted water, or spring water, I'm on well water here in NJ. Why did you use diluted vs spring water? Thank you!! Great video!!!!

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

Hey! I used distilled water because our local tap water has a lot of additives and minerals that I didn’t want in the closed system for the next several years. I think I had read somewhere that this was preferable, but not necessarily required. I picked it up at the dollar store for cheap, and just mixed it with my glycol in the tote like shown in the video. If you use the cryotek -100 like I did just be careful because it comes pre-diluted, so it takes a bit of figuring to get the mixture right. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!!

[@nicorizzo3607]

Great Advice!! I will use the distilled water, and setting up the same system you have, to fill mine !!! Thank you Sir !!!!

[@bradyschulte6100]

I think I remember seeing in another video that all the loops were the same length(maybe not exactly the same but close). Is there a reason for this? I assume it has Something to do with each loop getting the same amount of water?

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

Hi Brady. That's correct, you want the loops to be the same length +/- 10%. The ensures that each loop gets the same amount of flow. They will almost never be exact (that would be very difficult in real world conditions), but there is enough adjustment on the manifolds to balance them out if they are within 10%. If you don't, one loop will steal more flow (and heat) and could heat up faster than the rest. Not really a huge deal, but you want to try to get them as equal as possible. Hope this helps and Thanks for watching!

[@bradyschulte6100]

Thank you!! Very helpful answer! Another quick question for ya. How does it do against ice? In NW Ohio it seems we get more rain/ice than snow.

[@QiuyuanChenRyan916]

Ideally to get them equal length as much as you can, won't be that close overall. The main part is pipe themself create friction as water pass through, friction loss in hydronic turns up as pressure drop. If one loop has water flow back slower meant the loop has more heat lost overall as the water spends a bit longer time in the loop. if you already has an exist system set up that way what you can do without dig up the floor is adding balance valve and adjust the flow rate to the system and that should correct it out.

[@mnplaysport]

what brand manifold are you using?

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

I think they were just generic 7-loop SS units, similar to the ones in my Amazon Associates Store here: amzn.to/3BHqyi6

[@mnplaysport]

@@DeckerChristopherJ ok. You made a comment about one manifold that didn’t work for the hose inlet because the male hose thread was lacking. I noticed the same thing on my manifold and needed a double washer to keep it from spraying everywhere. When trying to determine manifold quality I found it hard to find solid answers.

[@mattstrelow35]

you bought pails of Cryo-tek -100 already diluted 50/50 with distilled water? Where? The Cryo-tek-100 I know of is not pre-diluted.

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

Hey Matt. Cryo-Tek -100 is actually only 55% virgin propylene glycol, so it is in fact diluted from the factory. Even with it only 55% however, the protection numbers were still well below what I need for my area so I diluted it further with distilled water. Hopefully that makes sense? Thanks for watching!

[@mattstrelow35]

@@DeckerChristopherJ So, In theory, a system will function properly with minimal amount of water added to the Cryo-Tek -100, as far as not losing the ability to transfer heat? My hydro shark boiler labels says to dilute propylene glycol by at least 50% with water, so I don't want to risk the inefficiency you talk about with too much PG. But, I also want to have sub-zero protection. The Cryo-Tek -100 label/table states that if I dilute the product with 50% water, I'll have coverage down to +10F. Without . . . -70F. Adding 2 gal of water to 5 gal pail of PG gives me about what you're getting with your 5 gal/2 gal ratio.
Also, I noticed you have the ability to slow down the transfer pump. Did that dial box on your power cord come with your Wayne pump? I got the same pump delivered to me without that power regulating capability.

[@DeckerChristopherJ]

Hey Matt, just replied to your e-mail. For everyone else who may read this, the regulator is a router speed controller from Harbor Freight, but it looks like its no longer available. The exact same thing is available on Amazon though here: amzn.to/3CM2b2D