A question of Draindown and Central Heating systems.

[Sparkalicious]

That is nifty. I've watched a couple more of the install vids that I found on YouTube and run it past the misses. We are definitely ​getting one. Will take 4 years to pay for itself and, yes it's not cheap, but is a lot less faff than using an adaptor with a car tire pump. Running inside outside to pump the water out. And it's never warm when I'm going to be doing this.

Slattster, you are a star Should be on commission mate.

We reckon, with doing the turn down, drain down and jet washing ourselves we'll be saving approx. £220 a year and I'm sure the sites service fees are only going to get higher. Turn down is £5 more expensive than last year anyway.

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[Sparkalicious]

So digging this one out of the ether 

Stattster, been given the go ahead to purchase the Floe 868. I have a standard caravan set up. Outside stop cock with external tap. Boiler inside etc. Is everything I need in the box?

I saw DaveE mention an air pipe extension is required? My stop cock is not directly under the boiler but not far off. Outdoor connecting hose is 15mm. You mention inserts for plastic pipe. Would you mind elaborating on that for me?

Just want to buy everything in one hit and then arrange a day to head down to fit. My dad and I are quite practical so should be a doddle according to the videos.

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[DaveE]

I mentioned the pipe extension because I have seen posts n a Facebook group (where floes come up as a topic regularly) and they say it was the one thing needed as an extra.
They had me think about my ‘van and my water inlet tap ( the start of my piping.) and the boiler cupboard where the floe would be are too far apart and I would need the extra pipe for the air pump to connect.

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[Sparkalicious]

Nice, I did have a think about that. Did some visual mental maths about the distance to my stop cock. Comes with 4m of air line which should be plenty for my set up.

Have ordered and will post an update when I have it fitted. Should be at some point mid August I reckon. Will do a "Boiler Clense" when it is fitted and see what comes out of a 3 y/o boiler. Will be interesting.

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[Sparkalicious]

So ordered Wednesday, arrived today (Friday)

Pretty quick turn around.

First impressions. Really like the look of it, it's compact and neat so won't be too cumbersome in the boiler cupboard. Looks like a very well made product. I would be interested to know what the pump piston is made of. Plastic or metal. Some of the car tyre pumps, which this basically is, can be made of plastic and then break under load but then I suppose this won't be pumping up to anywhere near those pressures.

They have spent a fortune on packaging. Came in a simple brown outer box but inside the retail box is something else. Velvety to the touch, pre-opening peak window (if that makes sense). They really have gone all out. I would of been happy with just a simple brown box but then I suppose they need the wow factor at the trade shows. Another nice touch, they have put in an embroidered flannel, presumably to cover the tap with when draining down.



Have noticed that there are no butterfly bolts for affixing to hollow walls as shown in all the YouTube clips. Do we reckon they were left out as they are overkill? Just get some simple cavity wall rawl plugs and that will do the job or should I purchase butterfly bolts?
Only other difference I can see from the videos, the on off button is now a push button rather than a flick switch. Shouldn't make a difference.

Air hose does look short but I think it should be fine for my install. My inlet stop cock is almost directly under the boiler cupboard outside.

DVD makes me laugh. I litterally have no way of playing it. Is in HD though, haha

So far I am really happy, looking forward to installing it in a month or so or maybe sooner if I can get down to the 'van on my own in the coming weeks.



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[DaveE]

Your post reflects what I’ve seen before elsewhere. I’m glad you’re happy with your purchase and will wait to see how you find the actual installing and then use.

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[Slattster]

Hello spark,  a purchase you won’t regret , do you still get a 5 yr warranty with it?  It does make a racket when in use but it’s only in use on and off for 10 mins to do the drain down.
Everything should be in the box , you will need inserts for the pipe( if it’s plastic) , where you cut the pipe put an insert in - this gives the pipe some support so it doesn’t collapse … something like this. https://www.screwfix.com/p/jg-speedfit-superseal-plastic-push-fit-pipe-inserts-15mm-50-pack/18100  …. But you should get the correct insert for the pipe so you need to know manufacturer of pipe , it will be stamped on the pipe at regular intervals.
I screwed mine in to boiler cupboard itself rather than caravan wall
Good luck

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[Sparkalicious]

Cheers Slattster,

So looks like you get a 9 month money back warranty, no questions asked and a 5 year parts warranty where they will repair or replace if anything breaks through normal use.

So I have just got a plain black plastic/rubber 10mm pipe and a load of push fit fittings for it to join into. It's exactly what was demoed in the installation videos online. No sign of any push fit inserts of any sort in his video.



When did you get yours? Wondering if there has been any kind of update to it like the on of switch etc

Will also be going in the boiler cupboard but off the top of my head, I'm not actually too sure if that is a "solid" wall or not. Does have a loo mounted on the other side so could quite feasibly be.

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[Sparkalicious]

Ah, I think I get it now. So they are for the existing mains pipe that feeds the 'van and then these slot into the push fit connector tee.

As it goes I have a photo of that as well



What you listed is exactly what we have so I will pick up some of those connectors. Cheers for that, will save us rushing around trying to sort that out last minute.

Is anything like this needed for the air pipe?

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[Slattster]

I got mine when it first come out … maybe 3 or 4 years ago now. Don’t think I used inserts for the air . Inserts should always be used at connections with plastic pipe though - it will work without them but as said previous the pipe could collapse.
I have the boiler in one cupboard and the fridge in a cupboard next to it so I fixed to the cupboard wall in between them.
Have you got a 15mm plastic pipe cutter , makes the job simple and clean
https://www.screwfix.com/p/ox-polyzip-15mm-manual-plastic-pipe-cutter/921hv
I have one of these for air pipe https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353274058982?hash=item5240c658e6:g:htYAAOSwWaFh8VYh
Then it’s just all push together in the right order ….make sure check valve goes the right way round.

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[Sparkalicious]

Nice. We have a plumber friend who is going to lend us his plastic pipe cutter.

Inserts are in the basket. We are also going to put a blank plug on the wall so we don't have a loose one hanging around when it is not in use.
 
I have emailed floe about the lack of butterfly bolts but I don't expect a reply. I'm off down there in just over a week with the family so I can check what the wall is made up of before I come down in August to install fully.

Cheers for all the links to those bits. So useful

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[Slattster]

I leave the plug loose , I plug into the socket the boilers plugged into , that way both can’t be on at the same time. Thinking of visitors here switching things on rather than me .

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[Sparkalicious]

I'm just planning on installing a non powered slim line plug face. Just so it is out of the way. https://www.screwfix.com/p/13a-1-gang-unswitched-plug-socket-white/6856d
If I left it hanging loose there would be damage. My misses is constantly throwing stuff in that cupboard so it would only be a matter of time

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