Copper Cylinder Question?

[biggjedd]

Afternoon gents, just a quick question...

Is it possible to convert a copper cylinder used for an electric immersion heater, to insert a copper coil so it can be used for gas central heating?

If the answer is yes, is it done often and what are the arguements aginst doing this?

Thanks in advance..

[Clanger]

Afternoon gents, just a quick question...

Is it possible to convert a copper cylinder used for an electric immersion heater, to insert a copper coil so it can be used for gas central heating?

If the answer is yes, is it done often and what are the arguements aginst doing this?

Thanks in advance..

This was common during the 70s copper shortage and was done by using salamander or side-winder tubes. Side-winder required two holes to be drilled and the coil was inserted in the side of the cylinder. The salamander was inserted into the immersion boss in the top. Both worked ok, but more modern coils have a greater heat exchange for efficiency.

Have you checked out the price of stainless cylinders for open indirect systems? These are cheaper than copper cylinders now and more suitable in soft water areas.

[GrahamM]

Inefficient, prone to leaks and a waste of time and effort!
Scrap the cylinder and put the cost towards a new cylinder.

[biggjedd]

Gents, thanks for your replies. This was a question for my own information.

I recently posted a thread titled "pressure problems" and eventually ascertained it was the coil which was leaking.

My system is only 6 years old and I paid kevin the cowboy and his pal to install a brand new system for me. Never haggled with his price and accepted he was going to do as promised. I remember walking into the room where the cylinder was and he had a huge coil of copper tube and when he saw me he had the look of a startled rabbit in headlights!! Of course I didn't know what he was doing or what the coil was for!! He left me with 23 leaks, most of which I had to repair myself!!!

I changed the cylinder myself as well a few days ago and there's a hell of a difference to the water and heating. At this time I realised this was the old immersion cylinder I removed, hence the reason for submitting this post. It's assholes like kevin who give you guys a bad name and lose custom because us laymen end up doing the work ourselves!! For the sakes of saving a few quid, the idiot's caused me no end of problems. I paid him £4k for the job and the cylinder I just bought was £130. Surely easier just to supply a new cylinder as promised, for that little amount?!!

Anyway, thanks to everyone who replied with advice.

[WHPES]

I was told that at one time many years ago (pre 50s I guess) you had to fit coils to cylinders in this way as they didnt come ready assembled. Never seen such a thing for sale, but I have seen very old cylinders with nuts threaded onto the oultets appearing to clamp up agianst the cylinder wall.