intasol combi solar diverter valve

[delta c]

Hi all,
I have seen this valve for using on unvented systems feeding combi's, has anyone tried it?

www.intaeco.co.uk/resources/solar/intasol_combi_solar_diverter.pdf

It is available through plumb centre and Crossling plumbers merchants.
Cheers
Jonathan

[petertc]

Looks good,

just trying to get my head around how that works as you turn on the tap unless you have run the tap before the water in the unit will not be hot
so you would draw from both solar and combi at the same time ? the solar water may be hot but the combi could be hotter and would the unit take the hottest water first ?
If this does work it may be a good idea to look at a system but this would have to be at mains pressure only other wise it would be difficult to balance the flow ?

[noelsquibb]

Looks like it does the same job as a reversed TMV acting as a diverter valve, combined with a normal blending TMV

I copied the idea from -  http://www.atmos.uk.com/core_files/productDoc(114).pdf

and it seems to work well enough

I just reversed a regular TMV with the non return valves removed and despite all the discussion about boilers playing up if they get water at 50c and have to heat it up to 65c, I will happily do this again.

The valve that Jonathan identified seems to do no more than what is shown in the Atmos circuit, so its interesting that the Plumbers Merchants are offering it.
I wonder if they advise caution when using it with combi boilers that are still in warranty ?

[Grimsby Ranger]

Here's a clip on youtube of it in action, seems like a decent setup to use with a combi. Something I'm looking to do in the spring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9wTE8zvh2E&feature=player_embedded

Am I right in thinking when it diverts to the boiler it drops to temp. to the boiler to 28 degC? Or have I miss read the info here http://www.solarsavings.co.uk/product/Intasol_Combi_Solar_Diverter_Valve_ICSV

Thanks

Kerry

[tz0c0s]

Looks good. Yes it supplies water to the combi & activates it when the unvented becomes depleted. Maximum temperature sent to the boiler is 28C.

I like it. Ivan.................?

Regards Andy

[wookey]

Grant have been offering a similar device for 18 months or so, the grant Combisol: http://www.grantuk.com/product/22

Much the same price: (GBP 178 vs 185)
http://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/Grant_Solar_CombiSOL_Kit_for_Combi_Boilers.html

I'll let someone else decide what the differences are.

They look different so I'm surprised they are using the same name. Oh well, makes life easy for purchasers.

[Brandon]

as do esbe  new for this year (and a sight cheaper too- PM for details)

http://www.esbe.se/nav5174/?prodid=4427

[mistadave]

Sorry to dig up and old thread, but I'm trying to decide whether to use one of these in my system, or a motorised valve. My only issue with these thermostatic valve setups is that potentially when you first run the tap, the water in the valve is cold so it will be sending it to the combi boiler. The boiler then fires but then the hot water from the tank eventually changes the thermostatic diverter valve (which takes 4 or more seconds) and skips the combi. If this happened all the time you were using hot water it not only wastes energy in the combi but its not very good for it either in terms of wear and tear.

I can't find any first hand accounts of anyone who has actually used one of these to know if it is actually a problem or not?

My alternative solution is to use a motorised valve, preferably a MOMO type so it only uses power when it moves, controlled by a stat in the thermal store. This is how I have seen other solar combi systems work in the past and it seems to do a good job, the disadvantage as the tank temperature might not reflect the temperature in the pipes, and it is using extra electricity.

I would prefer to use the thermostatic valve type setup if my fears of boiler cycling are unfounded, any idea?