Best Of
Re: Am I crazy? Chimney company says you can reduce the flu.
These guys are on top of it. I would add to spec. a smoothwall ss liner so you do not have to de-rate it 20% for corrugated. Once done, perform combustion analysis to ensure proper function. If you get it fired up to 'steady state', whatever that means, take a draft pressure reading then shut off the gas quickly. If the draft rises stronger, the liner is undersized.
Make sure they put arrows on those passive MUA grilles so the air knows which way to go. Air is dumb and will observe pressure gradients. For instance, operating an open hearth fireplace could backdraft a borderline boiler.
Most fireplaces were built with undersized flues. To reline one, you need to remove the flue tile then install the properly sized insulated liner for a 2,100F rated installation. You are not required to insulate heater flues but consider whether its a cold exterior chimney vs. warm interior one. FYI, the sizing tables in the code are for interior chimneys only.
Re: OT: Underground Wiring Options
Thanks all, I think I've reached the limit of future conduits. Even if I could get a water line through for some future ADU, running a sewer line would be about 80ft to the street, not something I'd ever want to contemplate.
Part of the trench was through a portal in a foot-thick wall. I will measure that location carefully for any future use and count my blessings that my garage electric is now repaired, working, buried correctly and there is PVC conduit available for a 100amp future line plus a 3/4 empty line for low-voltage/ethernet possibilities.
D107
Re: Old Brooklyn NY church
I'm very intrigued with this situation any updates? I'm almost willing to take a ride for S—& giggles...Mad Dog
Re: Can you help identify my B&G boiler pump? Possible replacement? Repair parts?
Not a 100- this is that pump's predecessor. My 1940 Bell & Gossett Handbook says it's the model H2, since the pipe connections are 2-inch.
Given the size of that boiler, I'm thinking that circ might be oversized for that system. This can cause the water to short-circuit through the radiators, reducing efficiency. Here's an extreme case I found years ago:
Do you know how many square feet of radiation is on your system?
Also, an old round boiler like that one is inherently inefficient. A combustion test would probably reveal an extremely high stack temperature.
Re: Replacing cast iron radiator with smaller one
A lot of this is lost on me as a non-heating-professional, but the basics are: it is not a super-simple feat to just replace this radiator with something smaller unless the room is way too hot, which it isn't. I've consulted with our cabinet designer and we made a modification to the cabinet design that will allow us to keep the cabinets (and thus radiator) where they are. If we want to switch to radiant floor heat at some point, I will be back for more specifics. and maybe a physics lesson.
amaiale
Re: Any new feelings about Stay Brite 8 soldering vs brazing?
Back in the day a lot of guys used Stay Brite on everything. I wouldn't use it on discharge lines though. And it for the most part held up very well.
I too used to Stay Brite filter driers and expansion valves…things that may need replacement, but I sometimes brazed them as well.
Everyone has their own opinion, I just trust brazing more. My opinion, and you can fill gaps easier.
The following is a list of pros and cons:
JW Harris says Stay Brite joints are stronger than brazing because the tubing is not annealed
No nitrogen purge needed with Stay Brite
Stay Brite may introduce flux
Some say codes require brazing due to the low temp (500deg) melting point of Stay Brite in a fire…phosgene gas an issue for firefighters.
Equipment does not come out of a factory with Stay Brite joints.
Some say Stay Brite will not take high pressures needed for 410A, 454B and R32
Don't shoot any arrows. I am just listing some items. Both have pros and cons.
Re: Unrecognized return vent
Oh, my! Look what I found rummaging through an old drawer in the basement:
It's the key to the—-now verified—-Breckenridge vent regulation screw!!!
Folks, It may be the only one left in the world! Has impeccable provenance! Found with original identifying tag, and in the building where it was used! Last used by the current owner of 55 years! Step right up closer, folks. This item is now available for purchase for the first time in over 110 years! Now accepting bids of above… $1 million.
pacoit