Source for convectors

[Trixie]

I think I am calling these things correctly. They are essentially boxes that have a fan, maybe two, not too large, and coils running back and forth behind a grid. Water, either cold or hot circulates through these grids and the fans blow air across them.

I have seen them about 24 x 30 and 36 x 48 - just a guess.

Some are on the internet, not exactly what I was looking for, but they are probably the new style, as the ones I saw were probaly 40 years old.

Where would I look for used ones? Some kind of salvage yard? Would it be best to check building salvage or scrap metal? I guess both. I have checked with the Habitat salvage stores - a couple of them and they didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

I am just asking if anyone has an idea of a good source or potential source for these.

Thanks

[Junkmanme]

They are essentially a "heat exchanger". Could be used in a variety of applications. Perhaps an Internet Search for "heat exchanger" might get you more information that you can use.

[Fire-Man]

Originally Posted by Trixie

I think I am calling these things correctly. They are essentially boxes that have a fan, maybe two, not too large, and coils running back and forth behind a grid. Water, either cold or hot circulates through these grids and the fans blow air across them.

I have seen them about 24 x 30 and 36 x 48 - just a guess.

Some are on the internet, not exactly what I was looking for, but they are probably the new style, as the ones I saw were probaly 40 years old.

Where would I look for used ones? Some kind of salvage yard? Would it be best to check building salvage or scrap metal? I guess both. I have checked with the Habitat salvage stores - a couple of them and they didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

I am just asking if anyone has an idea of a good source or potential source for these.

Thanks

I call them a "Coil" Water to air exchangers. Don't Know about Used----Maybe places that install heating and cooiling units----E-bay has a lot of new ones. I use the "Coils" out of discarded outside AC/heatpump units. Randy

[logbuilder]

When I lived in New Mexico we used to call them swamp coolers.

Don't have a clue where you are located but here is one on craigslist.com in Albuquerque, NM. $100

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/for/326325435.html

P.S. If you are asking 'where' type questions, it really helps if you give us some clue of your location.

[Trixie]

Thanks all.

No I am not looking for a swamp cooler. I know what they are, but we called them 'evaporative coolers' or 'water coolers'.

It isn't really the heat exchanger either - although those would work I think if you were making your own units. Yet that might have been what the inner coils looked like. I never really looked inside.

As for locations, I really wasn't looking for specific locations, as much as sources - such as salvage yards or heating and a/c stores. I live close enough to the Dallas area to go there - anywhere within say 150 mile radius of Dallas, or farther.

I'll try to explain. We lived in this huge, really huge house, it had somewhere around 10,000 square ft., 3 stories. The man who had owned it for many years, installed a heating and cooling system. He had been a plumber and was in the appliance and furniture business and knowing him like I did, he could have made up this system himself.

There was a huge unit outside. The unit was a bought unit from the gas company. He didn't create that. There was a cover, but under that cover was a big tub, bucket, barrel, probably holding about 10 gallons of water. Inside that water was a coiled pipe, or hose of some kind. As I remember, the pipe was possibly 1 1/2" in diameter and was coiled round and round inside this 'vat'. There was a gas unit that heated the water for heating, and there was also a gas powered cooling unit that would cool the water. We had to manually switch over from heating to cooler or vice versa. Once a year, the gas company would check the water level for us, and add any if needed.

Inside the house in each room downstairs were these units. They reminded me a little of the units you see in a motel room. Each unit had a fan, a grid at the bottom that sucked the air in and lovered vents on the top of the unit that blew the air out. The fan blew the air over some coils, copper I think, and in doing so either heated or cooled the air.

The smaller units were 10 to 12" wide and were attached to a wall. The larger unit was maybe 18" wide.

The water circulated through the house to each unit and back through the vat of water that either cooled or heated it, as it moved through.

The units were all metal.

In other words, If you had your own system to heat or cool water, these could be used.

I am sure that is clear as mud, but I have never seen any others and I am interested in finding some.

It seems I don't even know what to call them now, the old man always called them convectors, and really though I had found some on the internet a while ago, but using that word, I didn't get anything that looked like it would work.

Someone with a little ingenuity could probably rig some up - but if they are available anywhere that would be better.

But thanks for taking the time.

[artificer]

I think the name/description you need is "chilled water fan cooling unit." (or just fan cooling unit) They can heat as well as cool.

Is this what you are talking about? Its a standard industrial water-air heat exchanger.

You can get them in 2 pipe and 4 pipe models. 2 pipe is the system you described. One coil of pipe to each unit. Switch from cooling to heating at the water source. 4 pipe units have two coils in them. One for cooling and one for heating. If one part of the house is too hot (solar gain in spring), it'll cool that room, while the back dark room that is too cold can get heat. More complicated, more $$$.

Something for the ceiling.

A nice PDf showing how one is put together, with info on capacity.

More "chilled water fan units."

A Trane unit PDF, it in the US, so easier to find than the previous ones.

Yet another link.

***********************************************
Why do you want this system? Is it a retrofit? They tend to be VERY expensive, which is why they are mainly industrial use. ($1500 + per room) You also have to run a condensate line for each unit as well.

If I was building a house, I would go with a ducted system, and have the coils in the duct. It gets you controlled fresh air, air filtration, and typically is going to be much cheaper. You can even make it a zoned system, if you want.

[Trixie]

Yes, I am pretty sure that is what I am looking. The ones we had in our house were older and had a more industrial look.

It does look as if it would be pretty expensive to buy these for each room.

I am not sure what a condensate line would be. These were mounted on a wall, on the floor and one pipe came and and one went out. Now the pipes under the house did have condensation - not much, I don't think as we had a partial basement and there wasn't a lot. The pipes were just black pipe, but there was insulation around them. That is not a problem I had thought about. Maybe my son or husband remembers more about that.

Some of these had a dehumidifier, I don't need that. With the exception of about every 5 years, like this one, there isn't much humidity. Compared to AZ, yes, but it just wouldnt' be necessary.

There was only one, in our house, that had a thermostat, the temperature was regulated by simply turning off and turning on the fan unit. I suppose the temperature of the water in the outside unit was controlled.


What do you mean about having the coils in the duct and could it be put in the flexible ducts? I am actually trying to get away from ducts.

This isn't a retrofit, it is just a very old, oddly build house and ductwork is possible, possibly, but would not be easy. At least I don't think so - my knowledge is very limited, I'll admit.

Right now, I am just in the 'thinking' stage on this and it may be impossible.

But thank you so very very much for finding this for me.

[artificer]

Originally Posted by Trixie

...
I am not sure what a condensate line would be. These were mounted on a wall, on the floor and one pipe came and and one went out. Now the pipes under the house did have condensation - not much, I don't think as we had a partial basement and there wasn't a lot. The pipes were just black pipe, but there was insulation around them. That is not a problem I had thought about. Maybe my son or husband remembers more about that.

Some of these had a dehumidifier, I don't need that. With the exception of about every 5 years, like this one, there isn't much humidity. Compared to AZ, yes, but it just wouldnt' be necessary.

There was only one, in our house, that had a thermostat, the temperature was regulated by simply turning off and turning on the fan unit. I suppose the temperature of the water in the outside unit was controlled.

What do you mean about having the coils in the duct and could it be put in the flexible ducts? I am actually trying to get away from ducts.

Would you be using the system for cooling, as well as heating? If so, the condensate line goes from the pan under the coil to a drain. In most parts of the country, whenever you have AC or cooling, condensation collects on the coils. It has to go somewhere. Drips into the pan, and gets drained away. Modern AC units sling it onto the hot coil, and it evaporates. (and makes the unit more efficient)

If you had to use a dehumidifier, and the wall units were cooling the room, then the water wasn't cold enough.

If you already had duct work in place, thats when you would put one of the coils in it. Since you don't have it, then you can ignore it.

One thing to do some further checking on is the high velocity or small vent ducting system. It is much easier to run the pipes where they are needed, since they are so small. You can even have a hybrid system. Use the cold/hot water for cooling/heating, but have one heat exchange in each wierd location. Say a wing has several rooms with an atic. The unit goes into the atic. It has a blower in it, as well as the heat coils. The small ducts go to each room. I think I've even see the system installed in closets. (for rooms that share a wall)

I think the high velocity system is going to be the least expensive option, but best to check them all out.

Michael

[Trixie]

I guess I wasn't plain, the convectors I saw on line had a dehumidifer - actually in our old house, we had no problem with moisture at least in the house. The pipes did 'sweat' that carried the water.

You have given me a lot to think about.

Thank you very much.

[Junkmanme]

Artificer is absolutely right. You have a "chilled water system", which is more commonly used in Commercial/Industrial applications.