Pre heater idea??

[muddyfootprints]

Has anyone ever tried building a pre-heater/steam hood using a radiator or a heat exchanger?

Our local fleet supply store has a heat exchanger that you instal in your plentum and connects to an out door boiler. The manufacturer says that it is ok to use with potable water. Anyone think it would work in a preheater in leu of looping copper tubing?

Theoretically, it should transfer heat more efficiently.

ideas????

Thanks

[Fred Henderson]

That is basicly what I used. That heat exchanger would reduce flow because the header set up and smaall tubes off of the header. I used finned tube heat radiation units, 3/4" coming off a 1-1/4 header. This is the second one I have built and I swear by them.

[maple flats]

Be very careful using a radiator. I have never seen one that was lead free. Use only heat exchangers designed for potable water. It should be all copper (or SS) and lead free.
The plumbing industry still uses 50/50 solder for uses other than potable water.