[VAC] Re: Radiant flooring

[rlb <blammo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would see if I could come up with a tankless heating unit, in the interests
of saving weight. I would also assume (maybe erroneously) that because
of the confines of a trailer and small footprint, that such a hydronic
system would be near "on demand" heating.
> I love radiant heat, but I am afraid the weight penalty
> might be too high to make it practical.
I wonder, what kinda weights ones would end up with using a foam and tubing
(plastic) core, with say a 3/8" plywood deck and some suitable bottom skin
for a composite panel, maybe aluminum.  Add in the weight of a on
demand heater, found this from a quick search : (http://www.promolife.com/products/tankless.htm)
there are electric and gas models here, though it might be hard to find
a 110 volt version. The LP version rated at 38,000 BTU's weighs in at 25
pounds.
> Personally, part of the appeal of
> the vintage Airstream is the lightweight and functional simplicity
> of its
> design. Most modern RVs need a "Tank" to tow them and are heavy and
> complex.
I think that this this also lends the Airstream design to this kind of
discussion.
>      If anyone could come up
> with a light weight subfloor that is well
> insulated, the platic tubing wouldn't add that much to the weight,
> my only
> other concern is all that water...
Let's say 240 linear feet of tubing for a 30' X 8' interior (assuming under
cabinet installation) I recall somewhere that a good estimate would be
1ft per sq. ft of space.

Now what does water weigh? 8.8 lb. per Gal.
One Gallon = 231 Cubic Inches
PIr^2 --> 3.14 X (0.25 ^ 2) = 0.19625 sq. in. (x-sectional area of 1/2" tubing)
0.19625 X 240 (linear ft of tubing) X 12 (ft to inches) = 565.2 cu in. = 2.45 Gals = 21.53 pounds.

Did I do that right?  Been a long time since Math class.

I'm sure someone will correct me in needed.

I'm also going to go out on a limb and suggest that such a composite floor panel would be near to the same as a plywood floor, a bit thicker perhaps. Again, someone will correct me.
 
 

--
-+-+-+-+-+-
 

bobb

http://64.33.167.222/