Is this installed properly?

[jjjaaammm]

My father has a 50 gal Storage Booster attached to a coil in his oil burner. It was installed 5 years ago.

This weekend they had a bunch of guests over and after 5 showers the hot water was depleted and it took forever for any sustained hot water to return.

I went downstairs and took a look and the setup really confused me, then I looked at the manufacturer's installation manual and it left me more confused. His system was professionally installed but I can't make sense of the setup. Specifically it appears to me that there is no circulation between the tank and pump and I can't figure out the logic behind the circulation pump placement. Also, his setup has one output and two inputs, whereas the manual has one return and two outputs. Attached is the schematics and a diagram I put together of his setup, any feedback, input or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[frodo]

what is controlling the pump? aqua stat? or run all the time ?

please show the location of pump control, and check valves


where does the return circulating line tie into the system?

this is what i see....others may differ.

 

[alefromitaly]

the "preferred installation" is right..maybe,in the draw,misses some "not retur valves",the security valve and the expansions tank..pratically;the water supply shoud have;valve(for close the water)not return valve,security valve,expansion tank, pressure regulator (if is necessary) and tee..so,from the tee the water goes to the tankless and become hot,the hot water goes from tankless to boiler,should be connected at the bottom of boiler and charge it..you should have a valve for close the supply and a tee for discharge the boiler in a case of mainenance..at the top of boiler you have two exit,one is for the hot water that goes in the house,while the second exit,should go in the second exit on the tee of the cold water..I think that this is for keep in temperature the water..pratically the tankless runs little because the water is hot yet..or better..anyhow,as frodo said,its a good thing know how is the elecrical connection..do you have some photos of plumbing and electrical parts?

 

[alefromitaly]

I think this..

View attachment 1428352699537.jpg

 

[alefromitaly]

Sorry..the not return valve betwenn the tankless and boiler it's wrong..

 

[alefromitaly]

View attachment 1428353311554.jpg

 

[frodo]

are you using a tankless water heater and storage tank ? not a boiler?

because tankless water's the flow rate sucks.....http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/overview/tankless-water-heaters-ov.htm

 

[jjjaaammm]

I am pretty sure my drawing is accurate - here are a few pictures - you can match them to my diagram

 

[jjjaaammm]

If my diagram is correct then there is no circulation between the two systems - I can't figure out why the cold supply line runs to the return branches and is on the same line as the circulating pump. The pictures I posted match up to the diagram I made, the flow direction of everything is my assumption based on feeling them for temperature and knowing the direction the cold water supply line runs.

 

[alefromitaly]

interesting..if your drawing is right,(about the directions of water)you have an error..based on the original drawing,you should have the exit of the hot water,(that with the pump) at the top of tank,not at the bottom of tank..practically,from the top outlet of boiler to inlet of tankless..probably, but I'm not sure,you have a sonde that commands the start of pump..if this sonde is at the top of boiler,it operates the pump less than necessary..one curiosity..is this tankless only for the sanitary water,or makes also heating?

 

[frodo]

my opinion

you said in your original post, that guest took 5 showers.

you depleted your 50 gallon storage tank. now you have to wait till your boiler heats another 50 gallons to replinish it.

its that simple.

its called recovery verses flow rate.

as far as your piping...i do not like the location of the pump.

 

[alefromitaly]

mmm..another thing..probably one part of the water that the pump takes,comes from the main line of the cold water..is possible that it takes this prevalence.. this can be another possibility..

 

[alefromitaly]

..can be depended also by the duration of every single shower..with this tank,you shouldn't have this problem.. unless they serve twenty minutes to take a shower

 

[jjjaaammm]

The placement of the pump and cold water T makes no sense to me. From my understanding it means that if I am correct on the water flow direction, cold water is entering the boiler and if this is the case what is the pump doing? That line is under pressure. If the direction is running the other way then it means cold water is mixing with the freshly heated water before it hits the return. How can this be right?

 

[alefromitaly]

For my experience no....the pump should move the hot water from the top,this water enters in the tankless with a temperature more hot than the cold water of the main line,the tankless goes less,and needs less time for heat up the water..so,the water in to the tank becomes hot in less time and permits to you to have enough hot water..the original drawing is simple..but the real and the drawing do not seem the same thing..if I see the original drawing,I think that my think is correct..if the tank has inside a serpentine..beh..this is another case..