towel rail converted to dual fuel?

[southcoastboile]

Had a customer ask me if they can have one of thier towel rails converted to dual fuel, is that possible? thanks

 

[JCplumb]

My first idea would be that it would be OK (not ideal) to have a top/bottom flow+return thus leaving one of the bottom connections free for the element. Of course it would heat up more than just the radiator. Then I thought of a relay in the electric switch that closes 2 zone valves to stop the heat transfer through the pipes. But that would mean the expansion from the element heating the rad water would have nowhere to go and you can't leave an air gap if the flow is going in the top of the rad....
Hmm, this one will hopefully get some interesting responses
Maybe these already exist and the problems have already been solved?

 

[snowhead]

Maybe these already exist and the problems have already been solved?

Yes they do exist.

And you can convert an existing;

[DLMURL]http://towel-radiator.com/categories/Electric-Elements/Dual-Fuel-Heated-Towel-Rails/[/DLMURL]

 

[southcoastboile]

thansk for that, I noticed it said you need to fit the element to the bottom of the towel rail, wouldnt the trv and lockshield already be in the bottom?

 

[southcoastboile]

Just seen the chrome tee piece, that must go in the bottom and the lockshield/element must go into it

 

[southcoastboile]

Last question, can you get an element that can be thermostatically controlled rather than just on or off at the spur and cuts out at a set temprature?

 

[Mike Jackson]

Yes. ..

 

[johnjoss]

The "T" piece with these dual fuel towel rails is a bit of a problem to make water tight. Essentially getting it tight and in the right orientation at the same time can be a problem. The towel rail I bought was a "dual fuel" towel rail and came with an o ring to fit on the 3/4 inch BSP thread. Well, that was useless as it just gets pushed out when you tighten the "T" piece up. I tried loads of PTFE tape. Still leaked. I tried making up a plastic washer of the right thickness, with loads of PTFE tape and jointing compound. The washer split. It doesn't help that where the "T" piece fits the towel rail, the towel rail is not actually flat. Having decided what orientation I need I am just going to take it apart, clean it up nicely and solder the "T" piece into the bottom of the towel rail. This will be I think the fourth attempt with it. Thankfully I had the foresight to put full-bore isolators on the towel rail and all the other radiators when I set it all up.