Introduction and boiler/water softener questions.

[bert79]

Well, this is my first post on here. First of all I wanted to say a big thank you for all of the help you all have provided me with so far. My dad and I will close on a 3+1 on Thursday. We have researched this business for about 15 months now and we're ready to dive in. After reading on this site for about a year now I realize that I have a lot to learn. There is simply so much information on here, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little overwhelmed. I am so grateful for the expertise of those who post on here and I hope to be able to add my experiences to the forum. About the wash that we're buying: It froze up about 7 years ago. Most of the equipment is shot and needs replacing. We are going to install new Ginsan ss equipment for the 3 bays and a used Laser 4000 for the IBA. There is an old hydro spray (tailgunner) in there now but as I'm sure you all know, it's a bit outdated. We realize that the laser 4000 is also heard that direction but, given our market, I think we can make it work for now. We'd probably look at a 360 in the future if the budget allows. Right now the only thing that works at the wash are the vacuums. There is a boiler for the in floor heat (330,000btu) but it's also shot and needs to be replaced. The soft water system is also shot. There is a water heater for the water heat but it too needs to be replaced. I'm wondering how many btu's are recommended for a system like ours (floor heat and possibly water heat if we go the boiler route for that? Also, we're looking at a dual tank/dual head water softener system and wondering what size that should be? Any suggestions are appreciated. Again, thank you.

 

[soapy]

The first thing I would do is pressurize each zone of your floor heat system to make sure you don't have a bunch of leaks. Where you are located will help determine how many BTUs you will need. I get by with a 199,000 BTU hot water heater for 4 SS bays and 2 autos. I use 2 200,000 btu boilers for my floor heat but I am in a very cold zone. How hard your water is will also determine how big of softner you need.

 

[bert79]

Thanks for the reply soapy. You are one that I have learned a lot from over the past year and I appreciate your willingness to be helpful. We have pressure tested the system and it does not leak (amazingly). We are located in Western Michigan so I'm guessing fairly similar weather to you in the Rocky Mountains. Which functions do you use the hot water for? I've read so much on here about guys that use or don't use hot water. I'm honestly confused. Again, thanks for your response.

 

[pgrzes]

Doug at Ginsan should be able to size the softener for you. Their price was more then fair for my softener.

 

[2Biz]

You don't need a huge boiler for floor heat. I designed and installed a wall mount demand heater several years ago that replaced a 350K btu floor heat Boiler. The 199K condensing/modulating demand heater heats the floors with ease and does it without breaking the bank when it runs...Plus you can get a 199K demand heater for about $1000 v/s $6-10 grand for a boiler....Here is a thread that documents the project...

http://www.autocareforum.com/showth...s-Water-Heater-For-Floor-Heat&highlight=floor

 

[bert79]

Thanks for the reply 2Biz. I appreciate you sharing. Looks like you have put a lot of effort into this. We are definitely looking for ways to save. Thanks you

 

[soapy]

I do a hot water presoak in the automatics and cold for the rest. The SS bays have hot water soap and cold for the other functions. I would buy a 75K radiant heater for your automatic if it has doors. I would think that would be a must in MIchigan. I have a 3 ss and 2 auto bay wash. One 199K boiler will not keep my floors ice free. I use 2 199K boilers for the floor heat there but I also have heated aprons 5 feet in front and back of SS bays. Heat Transfer systems makes a 199K hot water heater that also has a heat exchanger built in. You could use it to do everything if set up properly and they are high efficiency. I have 2 of their older units for hot water but have never used the heat exchanger to heat my floors.