Best Of
Re: Condensate reservoir blown to bits due to delayed ignition
Kaboom isn't enough to get you to give up and have a tech. type who really knows what he's doing to come and give that thing a complete check? Gas pressures under all conditions? Air settings? Ignitor condition and settings? Draughts?
Re: New Boiler Short-cycling on Pressure Cut-out
That might be more efficient in a standing pilot boiler with no vent damper but the losses up the flue when the vent damper is open but the ignition is still working on starting a cycle and the post purge at the end of a cycle are going to eat up any miniscule gain you get by not building a small amount of pressure. Though a small amount of that energy is not transferred to the water because the water is a slightly higher temp, most of that energy is stored in the water and released as steam as the pressure is reduced as the system cools.
mattmia2
Re: New Boiler Short-cycling on Pressure Cut-out
But if the boiler is oversized it may need more differential to make the cycle length reasonable.
mattmia2
Re: New Boiler Short-cycling on Pressure Cut-out
I figured out what they are doing, it isn't correct but I know why they did it.
There is a horizontal reducing ell between the header and the equalizer which will keep condensate from being able to drain from the header, the drip is to try to correct for that instead of just putting the reducing ell vertical on the equalizer connection.
mattmia2
Re: New Boiler Short-cycling on Pressure Cut-out
Whoa guys. First let me say that I agree with @Ironman on the pressure. There is a reason why one pipe systems tend to need higher pressures: the pressure drop through the vents on the radiators. However, that is not likely to be the reason for some radiators which did heat not heating — and whatever is causing that is also causing the too short run phase of the short cycling. (with that oversize on the boiler, I would expect a cycle on the order of 3 minutes on to 1 minute off; if the run phase is less than about three quarters of the total cycle length, there is a problem). Do the main and risers to those radiators get hot?
Re: New Boiler Short-cycling on Pressure Cut-out
I now see it in the picture. That’s a huge mistake as now the header would have to be pitched backwards to drain.
I’d make them correct that properly and skim the boiler.
Ironman
Re: New boiler, water flowing out of steam vent
Start with a kind and gentle approach. Tell them you have a problem with the new boiler.
Ask them if they could figure out what is wrong?
Ask them if they can explain how the steam gets to the radiators and explain how steam works and see if they know.
Ask them when the steam condenses back to water how it gets back to the boiler.
Ask them if your boiler piping looks like the picture in the book on page 17?
If you get resistance from the person who is supposed to know, then talk to the boss or owner of the business.
If that does not work, then you need to tell them that you want it right or your money back. Otherwise there will be lawyers involved. A lawyer can ask the state licensing board to look into their license to install plumbing and or heating systems. That will get their attention.
Document everything in writing. Get an email address and confirm every verbal conversation with an email like this.
Dear (Installer name here)
I want to confirm our (in person or telephone conversation) conversation today so I completely understand what you said. Please make any corrections if I have misunderstood anything.
We talked about the steam header and you said you would correct it at no cost to me. yada yada yada…
Whatever you remember from the conversation, promises made , denial of facts, will dos and won’t dos. You can also say that you are no expert and are relying on their professionalism and experience to solve the problem. You would be open to a factory rep from the manufacturer to visit your location so they (the contractor) can get another expert opinion.
And add this at the end: please confirm your receipt of this email. Thank you
Are you located near Philadelphia? That is where they make that boiler. I know some of the tech support guys there.
Re: Mr Steam Control Panel
Re: New Boiler Short-cycling on Pressure Cut-out
Have him check the burner specs and see if the firing rate can be reduced slightly. It is possible he did not skim the boiler or skim it enough. He also needs to find out why some rads do not heat that is exacerbating the short cycling. If the water line is surging while skimming that is a clue that it needs skimming.
Water surging and getting into the mains could cause some rads not to heat.
