mnoliverguy
Member
Has anybody here used RV antifreeze in a outside wood boiler
- Thread starter mnoliverguy
- Start date
Keith True
Well-known Member
Yes.And,don't do it.It clots,and that is the smallest part of the mess it makes.It does not take to heationg up.That turned out to be a very expensive experiment.The clots boogered up a couple of the control valves badly.I (really we,it wasn't my boiler)found out there is a reason for that ridiculously priced stuff they sell for them.Another guy we know tried windshield washer fluid,he had a couple of barrels of it.Soap,alcohol,food coloring and water didn't pan out well.
Phil-mar Farms
Member
Menards had the lowest price that I found
kcm.MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- NW Minnesota
We used straight water when we had an outdoor boiler (Woodmaster), but then we never let our temp get low.
stevieb49829
Well-known Member
- Location
- Spirit Lake, Idaho
Mine is filled with Propylene Glycol, and has been for a number of years. I found the used, already-diluted mix on CL. It was drained from a very large transformer cooling system (think aluminum smelter). I bought about 40 gallons at $1.50/gallon. Probably not going to easily find that kind of deal. I ran mine with straight water for a couple of years, just made sure it never cooled off enough to freeze. And N. Idaho does get cold enough to slush up a -12 degree mix -I had a sample bottle setting out to test it. The good thing is PG is somewhat non-toxic, unlike ethylene glycol. I found it listed in some of our food-stuffs.
Keith True
Well-known Member
You're right.That is a lot of anti-freeze.I've done the sitework for two of them.They were both made by Central Boiler.One holds 320 gallons and the bigger one holds 420 gallons.
casecollectorsc
Well-known Member
- Location
- E central SD.
Ran 50/50 in my woodburner. If a power outage it is cheap insurance.
I asked at a recycling center(way to clean and neet to call them a junkyard)and they told me they pay to get rid of antifreeze, and if I bought in the barrels they would be glad to fill them. I think a coolant filter from a diesel engine would keep it clean and easy to change.
casecollectorsc
Well-known Member
- Location
- E central SD.
How far away and how big was the woodburner. Mine never held anywhere near a fourth of that.
caterpillar guy
Well-known Member
I and dad have outside wood furnaces and both just use water in them. The pump runs all the time and with a water temp of around 150-180 it will not freeze. Also the pipe they run in from the furnace to the house is insulated to help with keeping the heat up till it gets to the house. We both have had them about 20 years and never had them freeze even at -20 degrees. If you want heat you have to keep the fire going so how would it freeze? I also drain mine each fall and change the water. You would be amazed at how dirty it can be by the next fall. I keep the water in it since we burn the trash (papers and such) during the summer. With no trash pickup we dump peelings and such in the field paper gets burned and plastic and glass gets recycled. Thus no need for a trash pickup.
Butch(OH)
Well-known Member
There are lots of OWBs around here and I don't know of anyone using antifreeze. Some, but not all RV antifreeze is alcohol based and I think not meant to be heated, check with the boiler manufacturer but Id bet a big no-no.
You didnt ask for recomendations but my system is 16 years old now and the couple times it was down in cold weather I drained it and added new treatment, cost about $15. If your system is going to be up and down during the winter for whatever reasons you would be quite honestly better of to burn indoors.
You didnt ask for recomendations but my system is 16 years old now and the couple times it was down in cold weather I drained it and added new treatment, cost about $15. If your system is going to be up and down during the winter for whatever reasons you would be quite honestly better of to burn indoors.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
I don't own a wood boiler.
Growing up on a diary, we had a 15 hp steam boiler to heat milk processing plant. Used regular untreated well water.
Once a year we had to take the boiler apart for annual inspection. It was full of calcuim, lime.
My bunn coffee maker, same problem lime build up.
Why wouldn't an outside wood boiler have a lime problem if you don't use distilled water or water from a softener??
I would want some kind of insurance just in case you want to go on vacation or in hospital and can't fire the boiler.
Growing up on a diary, we had a 15 hp steam boiler to heat milk processing plant. Used regular untreated well water.
Once a year we had to take the boiler apart for annual inspection. It was full of calcuim, lime.
My bunn coffee maker, same problem lime build up.
Why wouldn't an outside wood boiler have a lime problem if you don't use distilled water or water from a softener??
I would want some kind of insurance just in case you want to go on vacation or in hospital and can't fire the boiler.
caterpillar guy
Well-known Member
Not to mention the hazmat problem if it goes to leaking. If you heat your water with it for hot water I would not want to trust it didn't go to leaking and put antifreeze in my shower water. A lot of spillage to clean up if it did leak. My furnace will get down to about 80 degrees if it is real cold and the wood or fan goes out. It still never froze in the almost 20 years I've had it. With just water and no treatment in it. Dad and I discussed that since he puts a new jug in and drains his or did for the summer. I don't drain it till the next fall then drain and refill. The water looks like it was full of junk from whatever. It will look dark and mucky like. The reason I drain it each fall and flush out with the well line pushing it out both ways with it.Well then after it comes out clean fill back up.
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