Best Of
Re: Correct system, plumbing errors
Can't really see the piping — too close — so I'll not comment on that (although I do wonder if there is any header at all…)..
Keep the vapourstat, whatever else you do. That's the most reliable pressure control you could possibly have.
Now. Did anyone tell you why the boiler shouldn't be on the floor? There are basically two reasons. First, in at least some jurisdictions code requires boilers or any gas fired appliance to be raised for protection. That's one thing. Another is that the water line of the boiler is, in some installations, important relative to the rest of the piping to get reliable quiet operation. Can't tell.
Re: 300 cfm per ton?
Need a load calculation to see if the equipment can do the job before anything is done
Re: Correct system, plumbing errors
And who is telling you you have these issues?? Need pictures from 8-10 feet away
Re: Confused by basement runs in school 2 pipe system
There is a pipe coming up near the floor drain that may have been the wet return for the basement system.
My best guess is that when this boiler was changed a few years ago the vacuum pump was installed. There may have been no pumps at all before that.
If this was the case, it is surprising that the leaking UG wet return was addressed as it is outside the boiler and often neglected at a change out.
The school I mentioned, that this reminds me of, did locate their blueprints from the 1950's. Somewhere in your building there may be a copy of prints, hopefully no one pitched them away. Schools seldom throw anything away. One school I work on has a "Print Vault" mounted in a hollow wall. Just a 4" chrome plated cap showing, the tube is at least 36" long.
Prints might show where end of main (EOM) F&T's are located, probably above a ceiling. May have drawings of the vacuum system, if original to the building.
Where is this school located?? You (they) need someone fluent in vacuum systems.
Only a few here might be familiar with the vacuum pumps and I am not one of them.
Your short cycles might have something to do with the hi/low control. It reaches a certain pressure and should switch over to low fire but something not connected and it shuts down. The burner control panel may have a manual switch for low/high fire.
JUGHNE
Re: Axeman-Anderson oil fired boiler vs. Burnham oil fired
What town do you live in? I'm in CT and will be going to providence tomorrow afternoon for a social event. Maybe I can stop by and take a look. Like everyone has said, you don't need a new boiler or more than likely a new burner. For some reason your cad cell is not seeing a good flame. could be the flame, the cad cell, the burner could just be dirty…
Your dealing with a company that doesn't train their techs properly and the techs are afraid to ask for help.
I sent you a PM,
Robert_H
Re: Steam-one boiler or two, and, Atmospheric vs Gun
The coal guy (first guy) may have made the best guess on sizing the equipment, after the installation, the coal shoveler would have been the modulating control. And often the women of the house.
The oil conversion guy then never wanted the woman to call him or send a sternly worded postcard to his office, so oversize the GPH nozzle.
The gas guy was more cautious and steps up a size.
Years later as all the vents are plugged or traps passing steam, the boiler gets changed and "You need a larger one", trying to correct the problems that are not in the boiler room.
JUGHNE
Re: Axeman-Anderson oil fired boiler vs. Burnham oil fired
For what it's worth, my axeman boiler was built in 1957. Still running, I've met Pete Axeman at the factory and was very impressed with their whole operation. They seem to be known for both quality design and longevity. Every time I've talked to them on the phone they've diagnosed my problem correctly.
Re: Replacing A/C with a Heat Pump, problems?
it shouldn't cost much more and will give you a back up source of heat if nothing else. The only difference is a defrost board, reversing valve and maybe another tXV and some check valves. It does have more parts to fail but if the rebate is big enough go for it. You may want to use the hP for heat in the sproing and fall.
Re: Old house heating: Steam radiators or forced air?
The OP should prioritize his needs.
There are advantages to steam heat and advantages to hot air.
By determining what is most important to him and to his wife, we can help him choose the best heating system to fulfill those wishes.
Comfort? Floor space? Personal aesthetics? Installation costs? Headroom and space utilization? Operating cost? Return on investment? Silent operation? Reliability? Equipment lifespan? Floor space? Temperature consistency? Desirability to future owners? Disruption of lifestyle/architectural elements from installation? A place to dry wet gloves?
Consider what's important to you , and the answer will be simple.
This is engineering.
Re: Old-School Solutions
The orifice will work anywhere you can keep the pressure controlled. In theory you could size the orifice for higher pressures and it would work there too as long as the utilization equipment has a consistent load and you could control the pressure at the higher pressure..
mattmia2