Best Of
Re: need advice on scary steam boiler - no water in sight glass, running high pressure
I think those vents are sold as steam or hot water but they really are hot water only. They have a little celluose element that is supposed to close them when they get wet.
mattmia2
Re: Flow direction - baseboard heating
You are not providing adequate representation of this installation. The photo and your drawings are woefully inadequate for a proper diagnostic by those of us on the forum. Provide some more anecdotal operational history of this installation as well. It should be stated right off the bat that this Rinnai on-demand water heater is the wrong machine for this purpose. Has it ever been flushed? There don't seem to be any temperature or pressure gauges. Provide an electrical (control) schematic of the installation. How big is the slab (sq.ft)?
psb75
Re: Flow direction - baseboard heating
Rinnai DOES make good boilers. Get the right one of the right size. Have it installed correctly. And have all of the necessary devices for a proper hydronic radiant floor installation. What's not to love?
psb75
Re: Boiler acting up again
Your vent may be blocked, or the heat exchanger may have carbon building up in between the sections. This is something that you don't want to mess with. If the flame is burning poorly and the exhaust is not leaving the building, that is NOT GOOD
It is time to call a professional that is familiar with the combustion process and how to locate problems with the combustion process.
Re: Weil McLain, second wall mounted combi unit leaking.
Not my preferred brand but a heat exchanger failures generally are more site conditions/install related, than manufacturer defect. it's hard to tell without being there. For example if the system takes on a bunch of untreated make-up water that will greatly increase every brands risk of failure.
GGross
Re: Weil McLain, second wall mounted combi unit leaking.
There are several good mod/cons: Lochinvar, HTP EFTU are the ones we primarily sell and install. I’d recommend those in a heating boiler + an indirect.
Let me also add that the installer is more important than the brand; he’s 95% of the equation.
You probably have other issues in your system that are causing the premature failures of the heat exchangers. A good tech will find and correct those issues before simply swapping out the boiler.
Ironman
Re: need advice on scary steam boiler - no water in sight glass, running high pressure
You're looking at replacing the whole gauge glass assembly, pressuretrol and pigtail at a minimum. Probably the PRV too.
And installing steam vents, not water bleeders as @ethicalpaul noted.
It'd need a cleaning and combustion test as well. Unless you're really well versed in boiler maintenance, leave it to a pro.
Can the boiler be saved, maybe. But I'd start saving for a new one.
Where are you at? One of the pros here may be nearby.
Re: need advice on scary steam boiler - no water in sight glass, running high pressure
Water level unknown; boiler pressure unknown; a hot water coin vent on a steam system.
I’d shut it off and get a STEAM pro to look at it immediately. She’s literally got a potential bomb on her hands.
Where is this located? We may be able to recommend a reliable stem tech.
Ironman
Re: New Boiler Overfilling After Warm Weather
Yes. The Hartford loop should connect at 2"–4" below the normal water line. Yours is about 2" below the return, which is essentially the bottom of the boiler. If the water drains to the bottom of the Hartford, your boiler will be empty.
As long as they're re-doing it, consider a Gifford loop instead.
Re: Way overfired boiler
Most … do a good job of hiding…
You can say that again. You really have to go looking for the mechanism on a Hoffman valve!
