Drain Boiler

[Jack TGA]

Hi, I have a tuma boiler with a frost valve.

BIG picture: how can I use cold water and heating when the temperatures are near/below zero?

Specifics;
1. Is there a way I can isolate the boiler from the fresh water tank so that if the frost valve triggers it only drains water out of the boiler and not the fresh water tank?
2. Can I manually drain the water out of the boiler without draining all the fresh water tank?
3. If I manually drain all the water out of the boiler, can I then put a peg on the frost valve to conserve the fresh water tank without the risk of frost damage in the boiler?
4. If the boiler has no water in it, when I turn on the cold water taps, does the boiler get any water in it?
5. Can I use the boiler for heating when there is no water in it or the fresh water tank?

 

[autorouter]

Yes it can be done. How to do it depends on exactly where the Frost Valve is in the cold water pipework.

If the FV is in a single branch going to the boiler, then you can put a cutoff tap in the branch, between the supply pipe and the FV. Close the tap, open the FV, all the water drains from the boiler, you can use the cold water as before.

If the FV is in the supply pipe near the boiler, not on the branch to the boiler, then you can put a cutoff tap in the branch, near the boiler. To drain the boiler, open the FV, all the water from the boiler drains out, and probably from the tank as well. Then close the tap, peg the FV and refill the tank. The cold water will operate as before.

If you don't put a cutoff tap in the branch, the boiler will refill from the cold water supply whenever the pump is operating.

Fitting a cutoff tap is probably very easy. Buy one that is a push-fit on the pipes. Cut the pipe and push the cut ends into the tap.

The room heater will operate OK without water in the boiler. Just make sure you never turn on the water heating.

 

[Landy Andy]

Hi, I have a tuma boiler with a frost valve.

BIG picture: how can I use cold water and heating when the temperatures are near/below zero?

Specifics;
1. Is there a way I can isolate the boiler from the fresh water tank so that if the frost valve triggers it only drains water out of the boiler and not the fresh water tank?
2. Can I manually drain the water out of the boiler without draining all the fresh water tank?
3. If I manually drain all the water out of the boiler, can I then put a peg on the frost valve to conserve the fresh water tank without the risk of frost damage in the boiler?
4. If the boiler has no water in it, when I turn on the cold water taps, does the boiler get any water in it?
5. Can I use the boiler for heating when there is no water in it or the fresh water tank?

The frost valve will only open if the temp is low WHERE THE VALVE IS, so if you, and valve are nice and toasty inside the van the valve won’t release. It will only drop the water in the boiler unless you leave the pump on. I don’t leave my pump on if not in the van. The frost valve is trying to stop you getting damage. You can manually drain the boiler, by operating the frost valve, but you will then have to close valve and not open a hot tap otherwise water will again fill boiler. The heating can be used with no water in it.