Xtra power from a variable speed cable feed that drives or retracts75 ft. of 1/2" cable at up to 16 feet per minute. With a couple turnsof a knob, you can also feed 3/8" cables.Xtra portability from a built-in dolly with eight inch wheels that letyou roll the machine easily to and from the job. The handle is tallenough for easy handling, yet folds quickly to save space, and locksto become an additional lifting handle.Xtra performance from Xtra features, like a roll bar to protect themotor when moving up and down stairs, and a free floating innerdrum cage to help prevent cable tangling. For smaller lines, you canget the optional J-Drum, which holds 1/4" or 5/16" cables, or the DualDrum that can hold two different cables in one drum at the same time.Xtra performance also comes fromthe Flexicore ® cable’s ability to handlehigh torque loads without kinking orbreaking. Flexicore ® is not just innercore. We coil high-grade wire tightlyaround 42-strand wire rope, makinga functional core that greatlyincreases cable strength.There’s more you’ll want to know aboutthe Mini-Rooter XP, including its surprisinglylow price. See your wholesaler or call the Drain Brains ®at 877-273-7246 or 412-771-6300.For a wholesaler in your <strong>are</strong>a, contact:Alberta – Tom Donaldson Co., Calgary 403-287-7933,Edmonton 780-486-2288British Columbia – West-Am, 877-600-0210Manitoba – Quadra Sales, 204-832-2354Ontario – Newgen Sales Ltd., 905-895-5999Quebec & Atlantic Canada – Rafales-Law Agency, 514-731-3212Saskatchewan – Asta Sales, 306-933-4125www.drainbrain.com/xp© General Wire Spring 2005Circle Number 108 for More Information
LettersPoor hydronic installations too commonEditor’s note: P&<strong>HVAC</strong> hydronics columnistRoy Collver received the following letterregarding his articles on tube spacing inthe January/February and March/Aprilissues of P&<strong>HVAC</strong>.Hello Roy,It is nice to hear somebody makingsome fitting and overdue commentsrelating to the practice of radiant heattube installation.Here in the Maritimes, radiant tubeinstallation is horrendous, to say theleast. Over 80 percent of installations <strong>are</strong>not even close to the recommendedpractice of manufacturers. The local callinshows on CBC <strong>are</strong> full of complaints.I recently visited a new subdivisionwith $250,000 and up housing units andfound the majority lacking not only indesign, but in style of work and quality.You <strong>are</strong> so right in the comments youmade near the end of this article.Somebody once coined the phrase: ‘Ifyou drive a Porsche, would you like tohave the cheapest tires?’Buying a high-grade heating systemmust include the best possible system toapply energy to the space heated. Thereis not much room for shortcuts andcheap tricks.In this <strong>are</strong>a installers just run figureeightloops in between joist spaces,loosely dangling and only supported byinsulation bats later on.But sales brochures still call this radiantfloor heat. House buyers <strong>are</strong> shortBad ventingDear editor:I thought ‘A cautionary tale’ (March/April) was an excellent article.One of the fundamentals of thephysics of a neutral condition is that ifair is going out, air must come in andvisa versa — a circumstance so oftenmisunderstood.Black pipe heaters have been aroundfor years with great results. However, Isaw one situation in a closed loadingbay where the heater had no outside airsource and no flue. The results werefrightening.Bad conditions <strong>are</strong> not uncommonwith ‘U -tube’ burners as tank heatersin large plants where the exhaust fansexceed the ventilation capacity and theburner flue becomes an outside airintake for the building. The flames justcome back and do their thing.changed and a bad rap follows. I don’twant to mention names, but “realplumbing/heating contractors” <strong>are</strong>doing it; they shrug it off as: ‘they wantfancy chandeliers, not good mechanicalsystems.’I hate to call for more governmentregulation. The codes here don’t requireany new standards at this time.In my opinion, the solution is toallow only those contractors to operatewho can demonstrate a good professionallevel, not only to land the job, butthey must have the other skills indesign, technical execution and properbusiness ideas.Without removing <strong>these</strong> bad applesthe better ones <strong>are</strong> forced to lower theirstandards to keep busy. This is not goodand drags a good thing down.Ironically, belonging to a group ofimmigrants (from Germany) raisedwith quite different standards in apprenticingand advancement to a masterlevel, we <strong>are</strong> directed to redo basictraining, etc.In our upbringing we learned to subscribeto high quality levels. It was ingraineddeeply. The Canadian system forschooling and training is not measuringup and the results <strong>are</strong> mind-boggling.Better educated trades people (andother professions, for that matter) generallyrequire fewer laws and regulationsfor positive progress and technicaladvancement.I admire you for speaking up; it happensa way too little.Friendly regards,Michael SchwarzForem Mechanical Enterprises,Westville, N.S.Roy Collver responds:Hi Mike,Thanks for your kind comments. Itfeels good to know people read my articlesand enjoy them.Your comments <strong>are</strong> right on the money.I have been working hard with variouscode committees and the CanadianHydronics Council to improve the level ofinspection and code compliance and tocome up with a more appropriate trainingand certification process for hydronicinstallers and designers.Alas, it is a big job and will not beaccomplished overnight. It is my opinionthat we must eventually have a certifiedheating/cooling/ventilation trade beforewe can truly clean up the current mess.We will keep working on it.Roy Collverthink tankIn business, the more you know, the more likely you <strong>are</strong> tosucceed. When you carry Honeywell’s GENETRON ® refrigerants,you also get a knowledgeable, extremely attentive businesspartner. For more than 50 years, we’ve been committed tooffering our GENETRON refrigerant dealers the industry’s mostcomprehensive programs of services and support. Programstotally focused on helping you grow your business and generate real bottom-line results,setting the standard for the entire industry.Regards,Harold Almond,B.C.Letters Policy<strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News welcomesletters to the editor. Lettersshould include the writer’s name,business name, address and telephonenumber (for verification only). Theeditor reserves the right to edit forspelling, grammar and length.Exclusive distributor of Genetron refrigerants in CanadaOntario and Western Canada Tel. : (416) 243-9615 Fax. : (416) 243-9731Quebec and the Maritime Provinces Tel. : (514) 457-3628 Fax. : (514) 457-9773Along with GENETRON University TM and AdPro TM Co-op, Honeywell offers promotional tie-ins with our Controls andIAQ products, old-fashioned customer service marked with a personal touch, and a full range of technical support.For more information, call 1-800-631-8138, prompt 1, prompt 3.© 2004 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.Circle Number 109 for More Informationwww.plumbingandhvac.ca May/June 2005 – <strong>Plumbing</strong> & <strong>HVAC</strong> Product News 9
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