Panic over!

[ianmcd]

No need, it's an Omega TF1, but it lacks any isolation valves. Space was too tight to get the valves in.

Just bung the f&E, you wont need valves

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Just bung the f&E, you wont need valves

Which would involve climbing in the loft anyway, plus the Omega is in an awkward place to access, close to the kitchen ceiling. It's just about OK for servicing the filter. When first fitted I serviced it monthly, just to see what it had managed to catch. My process was boiler off, drop the magnet out, wait 10 minutes for the magnetite to settle to the bottom and then bleed a bit out the bottom. Just a tiny amount came out in perfectly clear water, so I then left it for a year and did a service last week - no magnetite at all came out, just perfectly clear water, which I used as a sample in a jar, with a bright washer. That rusted very slightly, so I decided it was worth adding some F1.

 

[Mottie]

After reading this, I did the same to mine. Drained my Omega TF1 and got a tiny bit of magnetite out, filled one side of a container with fluid from my system and the other with just tap water. Dropped a clean nail in both sides, left it 24 hours and ended up with this:

Looks like it’s OK. Just noticed that insect!

Edit: Just been out the garage and fished it out - a life saved!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

After reading this, I did the same to mine. Drained my Omega TF1 and got a tiny bit of magnetite out, filled one side of a container with fluid from my system and the other with just tap water. Dropped a clean nail in both sides, left it 24 hours and ended up with this:

I wasn't sure how long I was supposed to leave it. Mine was fine after 24 hours, but after a few days showed signs of rust. Some say it needs to be in a full and sealed container.

 

[Mottie]

I’ll check it again after 48 hours but I’m pretty sure it’s well protected against corrosion judging by what had happened in just 24 hours.

 

[Mottie]

Plain water still rusting the nail, system water having no effect. That’ll do for me.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Plain water still rusting the nail, system water having no effect. That’ll do for me.

I wonder if during my test, I made the error of washing the washers with washing up liquid? I was keen to ensure there was no grease on the washers, so I washed and rinsed them before dropping them in the jars.

 

[fixitflav]

I wonder if during my test, I made the error of washing the washers with washing up liquid? I was keen to ensure there was no grease on the washers, so I washed and rinsed them before dropping them in the jars.

If you rinsed them I doubt it would make any difference. I do a test annually and use a jam jar, 1" sample water. Lid on and leave it on a shelf. It's usually OK for months but if there's a sign of corrosion after a year I add a bit more inhibitor.