Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Quonset Hut Garage Build
- Thread starter dwysywd
- Start date
Workspaces between 705 and 1200 squarefeet.
In the meantime, I did this today: 
I put my bike on the stand. I think I’m going to take it off the wooden stand cause the whole point was so you could raise the bike up to work on it and it really doesn’t need that while on the rack.
I hung 2 lights from the u details but I only have one wired. The other requires a **** connector and I don’t have any left right now. The plug needed to have special connectors crimped on that plug into the LED lights. I can daisy chain the lights so it’s nice. I shrink wrapped them and then taped them too.
I stored my spare hard top to my YJ on the top of the shelf and bolted it down so it doesn’t tip off. The Jeep is in the shop for another month so really not an issue. The plan is actually to cut the windows out of this one and make a permanent hard top with no sides.
Then I purchased this cabinet from HF. Had a dent. Basically saved 50% off the new price. I didn’t take a photo of it but it looks like this. And I packed it full. I tried to label everything that way I can open and see where something is located.
Finally i started cleaning off the work bench. I added 2 milk crates and repurposed an item for a shelf. So it’s a start.
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I put my bike on the stand. I think I’m going to take it off the wooden stand cause the whole point was so you could raise the bike up to work on it and it really doesn’t need that while on the rack.
I hung 2 lights from the u details but I only have one wired. The other requires a **** connector and I don’t have any left right now. The plug needed to have special connectors crimped on that plug into the LED lights. I can daisy chain the lights so it’s nice. I shrink wrapped them and then taped them too.
I stored my spare hard top to my YJ on the top of the shelf and bolted it down so it doesn’t tip off. The Jeep is in the shop for another month so really not an issue. The plan is actually to cut the windows out of this one and make a permanent hard top with no sides.
Then I purchased this cabinet from HF. Had a dent. Basically saved 50% off the new price. I didn’t take a photo of it but it looks like this. And I packed it full. I tried to label everything that way I can open and see where something is located.
Finally i started cleaning off the work bench. I added 2 milk crates and repurposed an item for a shelf. So it’s a start.
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jbmatth
Well-known member
Some nice touches recently, I like the labeled kits in the HF box. Crossing my fingers for you that that new heater works.
JB
JB
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You still have the wood fired stove, right?
You still have the wood fired stove, right?
Yep, used it last night. But its not nearly as nice as the heated floor, when the darn thing works
It can be a PITA when the wood is damp and doesnt want to stay lit, which is the problem I had yesterday. I am filling my wood rack and drying some wood for just in case issues.
my ultimate plan is to sell that big fireplace, replace it with a nice small glass door type, keeping the garage about 55-60 and then when I want to make it a little cozier in there, toss a few logs in and I am good.
I have a bad habit of putting things "away" and never really finding or using them regularly because I cannot find them! so I don't where I saw it, on GJ or Pintrist but someone labeled them and put them in a cabinet. I think I am still going to get some magnetic marker boards and label the general things in the cabinet so I can see at a glance. As it happens I am mixing water and electrical in my cabinet...lol, I have pex on the left and electrical on the right. HAHA
So I want to pull my hair out with this. I installed NEW water heater today! Yah! And it fired and ran for 30 sec and then stopped. So I hooked up the control module and tested everything...all works, ran it again, runs for 30 sec and stops. Then i go to the internet. Head pressure was a concern. I think MAYBE I have too much head pressure and my pump can’t handle it! So I wire in a SECOND pump. Now it runs for 40 sec! My gpm drop from 1.6 to 0.0 in 40 sec. my pressure is holding steady at 20 psi. SO What the freak!?!?!?!??
Anyone have something?
I can’t seem to upload the video.
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Anyone have something?
I can’t seem to upload the video.
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So... you will love this. Apparently my pumps can reverse polarity and spin the opposite way. That was the first problem. Second was the air in the lines. I will post pictures. But the short story was I got the air separator installed, moved the air tank and got the pumps running in the "correct" direction, and its working... but it is still temperamental.
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So?? How's it working?
Well it’s working. But I still have air in my system. As it purges, my pressure drops. Then I have to add fluid back to bring the pressure back up. I have my return fluid up to about 97 degrees and my outbound heated fluid at a steady 120-130 degrees. The barn is holding 65 nicely.
So I’m bitting the bullet and buying a Niven boiler. I’m ordering a boiler and a different thermostat for in floor hydronic radiant heat. I’m not going to keep trying to keep these tankless water heaters working. It’s too frustrating. They are temperamental. I went out of town for 2 days and the high limit switch kicked while I was out. And my barn dropped from 60 to 45. I don’t know when it kicked off but it takes a lot of energy to keep reheating the fluid.
I also running a small heat exchanger to hot tap water in the barn, previously not in the plan. But I can get a small one for free. So I will see how that goes. Even if it just makes the tap water warm, that’s a nice treat when washing hands, the well water is 45 degrees!
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So I’m bitting the bullet and buying a Niven boiler. I’m ordering a boiler and a different thermostat for in floor hydronic radiant heat. I’m not going to keep trying to keep these tankless water heaters working. It’s too frustrating. They are temperamental. I went out of town for 2 days and the high limit switch kicked while I was out. And my barn dropped from 60 to 45. I don’t know when it kicked off but it takes a lot of energy to keep reheating the fluid.
I also running a small heat exchanger to hot tap water in the barn, previously not in the plan. But I can get a small one for free. So I will see how that goes. Even if it just makes the tap water warm, that’s a nice treat when washing hands, the well water is 45 degrees!
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So it’s been running well. Keeping my floor nice and warm and the shop a sunny 62F. I’ve bumped the temp runs from 122 to 131. And my return temp moved from 97 to 111. So that was solid. Now just need to put a few Insullation panels in front of the roll up to help with heat transfer loss and I will be all set. I wanted to put them outside but I realized as soon as it snows they will be a hassle to deal with. While inside they can be in the way when I want to open the door, it is really easy to move 3 (4x8) panels out of the way when there isn’t 10 lbs of ice and snow stuck to them.
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Excellent! Glad to hear you got it sorted out.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Agree, that is great to hear you have it working.
JB
JB
Excellent! Glad to hear you got it sorted out.
Thanks. Yeah. Just in time for global warming. Lmao! It was cold here the past few days. Just got up to forty today and tomorrow. But it will get cold again. Anyhow I added a few insulated panels to put in front of the roll up door. I’ve always though that aluminum would reflect the heat but dang if that door doesn’t get cold! So I put (3) panels 4x8 in front of my 8x12 door. It’s already helping.
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Think of that aluminum door as a giant heat sink. It ain't reflectin' nuthin'!
update. If I had to put a number on it, my floor is running 20% less because the door is no longer sucking the life out of my barn. LoL. The panels are working. It’s still drafty around the doors. But if I tape them off I lose the ease of just moving the panels when I want to open the door. I’m thinking about using some scrap panels and making a trim piece that is taped to the edge and then the panels still sit in front of the door but the edges are sealed better reducing draft. Hopefully I will have some time tonight to figure it out.
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jbmatth
Well-known member
What type of seals do you have around the doors? Perhaps there is another style that would work better? The only type I've seen are the brush style ones but haven't worked in a conditioned garage so never really looked into it.
JB
JB
The seals ****. It was a Craigslist find door for $400 and I really need to upgrade to a new door that is insulated. And then put panels in front of it still if I need. The challenge is I really can’t put anything on the outside of the door because it makes it difficult to open if it snows from the NE.
So on a separate note, it’s gonna be cold this weekend, like single digits. And I will get to see how well it really all works. Standby for an update Sunday.
So on a separate note, it’s gonna be cold this weekend, like single digits. And I will get to see how well it really all works. Standby for an update Sunday.
Ford52PU
Well-known member
Great thread, love the garage, always thought heated floors were a great idea but reading your struggles make me think that two pairs of socks are a lot easier!! 
Great work!
Great work!
Great thread, love the garage, always thought heated floors were a great idea but reading your struggles make me think that two pairs of socks are a lot easier!!
Great work!
I can understand what you mean but I’m in the barn today, it’s 9 degrees outside and it’s 65 in here and every tool, every item, even my seat is comfortably warm. So I think all the struggles have been worth it. I think the biggest lesson I took away from the hut build is hire a professional when it makes sense.
So ok i wanted to save some on labor with installing the floor, that’s where I should have stopped. I should have hired my plumber buddy to do all the main hook up. So I’m learning, I’m going to radiant heat the tile in the house, I will plumb it and then have Dan, my plumber buddy, and pay him handsomely to hook it all up! [emoji16]
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Update on the hut today:
installed the remaining lights. Decided to just use two-way tape. I will see if this lasts but it’s working good for now. I have 2 cords I have to pick up plugs for shortly and then all led lights will be on 2 switches.
Also hung a hook for my engine hoist chain fall. That’s not it pictured. That ****** was just my inspiration. The hook is hung through 5” of wood. So I’m good.
Also had an inspiration today. I have 2 used CB-500 blocks that are junk. So I gonna strip them down and use the blocks for ends to my shelf that sits on the work bench.
It will mount to the right of the milk crate (which is starting to bow).
Built a little catch can for oil too. Saw this before. Just used what I had.
Finally, Here are the are the foam 9.3 r-value insulated panels I stood up in front of the door.
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installed the remaining lights. Decided to just use two-way tape. I will see if this lasts but it’s working good for now. I have 2 cords I have to pick up plugs for shortly and then all led lights will be on 2 switches.
Also hung a hook for my engine hoist chain fall. That’s not it pictured. That ****** was just my inspiration. The hook is hung through 5” of wood. So I’m good.
Also had an inspiration today. I have 2 used CB-500 blocks that are junk. So I gonna strip them down and use the blocks for ends to my shelf that sits on the work bench.
It will mount to the right of the milk crate (which is starting to bow).
Built a little catch can for oil too. Saw this before. Just used what I had.
Finally, Here are the are the foam 9.3 r-value insulated panels I stood up in front of the door.
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So. Ordered new Nivian boiler and my plumber is installing it today. Done with the tankless water heaters. I got my money all back except $15. So I’m excited to finally have it done right.
What I’ve learned is the tankless can’t handle the duty cycles. Both brands quit working after about a month.
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What I’ve learned is the tankless can’t handle the duty cycles. Both brands quit working after about a month.
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I will keep that little tidbit of information tucked away in organic RAM for future reference.
Photos of the new boiler being installed by my buddy Dan who’s a plumber. It’s a high efficiency and has a power vent. Dan was nice enough to accommodate my existing vent hole and not cutting a new or another hole in my steel. But for that, I get a goofy looking exhaust. LoL. I will take it. Also this will burn way more efficiently than the tankless. 
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So the boiler should be 25-30% more efficient than my old tankless. That’s great news. Plus the duty cycles are more efficient and that results in less propane being burned. This wasn’t a bad upgrade considering. It was more expensive than my tankless water heater route but frankly, given all the issues I was having, who needs that much grief!
Ford52PU
Well-known member
glad you got that all figured out. Great insulation on the garage doors as well
Ok. It’s been 5 days and only once has the system needed to be reset. I have figured out which of the 4 floor lines is giving me issues. And my plumber agreed to help me sort it out once the weather breaks. My floor will work fine with 3 lines running. Today it was 14 degrees outside and 71 in the barn. It was marvelous.
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Now that's nice!Hope you get that one zone sorted out.
My plumber has a nice high pressure pump that can force the fluid and push any remaining air. He said give it a few weeks. I am going to keep trying to bleed it naturally. He said it may finally work its way out or we may have to get aggressive, but either way, it looks like we are there.
I worked all weekend on projects in the barn. I didn't have to think twice about having to keep the fire going or messing with the wood...no need. And, I had the door open for 20 min and as soon as I closed it, the barn was warm again. It was really nice!
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We’ve had some crazy cold weather -polar vortex stuff, anyhow it was -2 this morning before the windchill and the hut was a toasty 65 degrees. I parked my cargo trailer, which had 4” of snow on it, in the hut at 2200 last night and it had zero snow and was dry when I was in the barn at 0630 this morning. It’s been bliss working on projects out there.
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