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Re: Fraser Johnston- gas valve
The replacement is a Honeywell (now Resido) VR8205A or a VR8300A gas valve both those valves include the gas shut off so you can get rid of the "A" Valve and Pilot (B) valve also the regulator ahead of the valve (the new valve includes a regulator). The thermocouple can be attached to the new valve. Call me at 401-437-0557 if you have a question.
Re: Fraser Johnston- gas valve
There are numerous possible problem items that would cause the gas valve not to open. I will do my best to list them. First off, Fraser-Johnston was not a big name in my area but almost every furnace from that era worked the same and had similar parts.
#1 The pilot is lit since it has it's own gas supply and is not affected by a control malfunction. That pilot heats a thermocouple that is supposed to supply a small voltage to the safety pilot/gas regulator. (See that small line at the bottom of the device with the red cap). If the thermocouple does not produce the correct amount of electricity that device will not operate, and gas will not flow.
#2 In the 2nd set of pictures in your 6:21am post, that device in pictures #2 & #3 at the top right with the wiring attached, is a 24 volt transformer that provides voltage to allow the furnace to operate. The voltage leaves the transformer and flows through the thermostat, limit devices, and the gas valve and returns to that transformer to complete the circuit allowing the furnace to operate.
#3 In order to trouble shoot your furnace you need a volt meter to see where the voltage is being stopped and not allowing it to complete the circuit. If there is 24volts on the gas valve and it does not open it may be the problem. Any descent ist year apprentice could trouble shoot your furnace and see what device is at fault. The biggest problem is that a lot of the young service guys have not seen a set-up like yours. They are too young not an old retired guy like me.
#4 What you need to find is an older gent that has experience with older equipment. If the problem is the gas valve a new type combination valve could be installed but there are other devices that may be malfunctioning. If the chamber in that furnace is not cracked or deteriorated then fixing the furnace is your best and cheapest option. Go find a good and reputable HVAC company that wants to fix that furnace and not just replace it.
#1 The pilot is lit since it has it's own gas supply and is not affected by a control malfunction. That pilot heats a thermocouple that is supposed to supply a small voltage to the safety pilot/gas regulator. (See that small line at the bottom of the device with the red cap). If the thermocouple does not produce the correct amount of electricity that device will not operate, and gas will not flow.
#2 In the 2nd set of pictures in your 6:21am post, that device in pictures #2 & #3 at the top right with the wiring attached, is a 24 volt transformer that provides voltage to allow the furnace to operate. The voltage leaves the transformer and flows through the thermostat, limit devices, and the gas valve and returns to that transformer to complete the circuit allowing the furnace to operate.
#3 In order to trouble shoot your furnace you need a volt meter to see where the voltage is being stopped and not allowing it to complete the circuit. If there is 24volts on the gas valve and it does not open it may be the problem. Any descent ist year apprentice could trouble shoot your furnace and see what device is at fault. The biggest problem is that a lot of the young service guys have not seen a set-up like yours. They are too young not an old retired guy like me.
#4 What you need to find is an older gent that has experience with older equipment. If the problem is the gas valve a new type combination valve could be installed but there are other devices that may be malfunctioning. If the chamber in that furnace is not cracked or deteriorated then fixing the furnace is your best and cheapest option. Go find a good and reputable HVAC company that wants to fix that furnace and not just replace it.
Re: Picking Gas Furnace
Isn't the OP's point that the furnace blower needs to be able to move enough CFM (400 cfm per ton AC as a rule of thumb) to handle the cooling load? So a 3 ton AC unit like the OP has needs a furnace blower that can move 1200 CFM. And too small a furnace may not be able to deliver that CFM.
This is what the OP thinks, but it is wrong. You can get a blower that gives you 1000 CFM for cooling AND runs at a lower speed for heating. Or just use 1000 CFM for both. They make two stage 40kbtu high, 28kbtu low furnaces, that could actually use 3 speeds, 2 for heating, 1 for cooling. Contractors should know how to do this. These are basic units. Re: Heater choice for old cast iron radiators
Combi isn’t a bad option since it’s a smaller load. A good mud leg using oversized pipe, with a lot point drain, along with a dirt separator and strainer should prevent gunk from reaching the boiler. Good economical solution and 90%+ in mild weather, 88% is colder weather.
However bet option and more reliabile is a high effecincy atmospheric cast iron boiler with outdoor reset, variable speed pump and a small indirect tank for DHW. The radiators (espeailly upstairs) can get thermostatic radiator valves so you have zoning in each room.
2nd option will cost more, but last 2x longer and have less things to fail.
Combi gets sized to hot water demand. Cast iron boiler you size to heat loss, which is likely pretty small at 1400sft 2 story. Probably a 50-70k input boiler I’d guess depending on climate and insulation.
However bet option and more reliabile is a high effecincy atmospheric cast iron boiler with outdoor reset, variable speed pump and a small indirect tank for DHW. The radiators (espeailly upstairs) can get thermostatic radiator valves so you have zoning in each room.
2nd option will cost more, but last 2x longer and have less things to fail.
Combi gets sized to hot water demand. Cast iron boiler you size to heat loss, which is likely pretty small at 1400sft 2 story. Probably a 50-70k input boiler I’d guess depending on climate and insulation.
Re: hydrostat 3250 and my new boiler
This is your wiring diagram with your existing thermostat (with zone 4 selected as the recover relay zone) I have added it as a file below so you can zoom in.
. Print this and leave it near your boiler for reference.
Once you have this wired, You can go to advanced settings on your thermostat and use these settings

Let me know how this turns out for you!
Sent a PM with phone number in case you need answers in real time. Text me and I will call you back.
. Print this and leave it near your boiler for reference.Once you have this wired, You can go to advanced settings on your thermostat and use these settings

Let me know how this turns out for you!
Sent a PM with phone number in case you need answers in real time. Text me and I will call you back.
Re: Prestige Solo 110 boiler. Is there a way to switch modulation off and on?
Solved: Tech at Triangle Tube said that my outdoor temperature sensor, Triangle Tube model PSSENS01, has a resistance of 12K ohm at 78°F, and 89.93K ohm at 0°F. No sensor or a broken one would simulate an open circuit with infinite resistance. I'll just put in an on/off switch to break the circuit when I wand the boiler to fire at it's maximum set point. My modulating boiler will be temporarily inefficient at those times. Thanks for all your help pitching in!
Re: Riello Flame sensor F3 F5
Never had the urge to crack open a cad-cell eye and give it a good snort or fire it up my back door. I'm a responsible service tech.
Apparently it has been a problem so they took it away from us.
Oh man! What violation did they perform on the T-87 thermostats!!
Apparently it has been a problem so they took it away from us.
Oh man! What violation did they perform on the T-87 thermostats!!
1
New Gorton Stuck Vent, Investigative Surgery
About a year ago I received a Gorton #4 from Supplyhouse.com that arrived stuck closed. I'm finally posting the video about what I found:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiNiu5EXMm0
Then in this much shorter video, I find out if Gorton vents really would block water from leaving the vent, as we have heard people mention so many times:
https://youtu.be/XXevhGi02q4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiNiu5EXMm0Then in this much shorter video, I find out if Gorton vents really would block water from leaving the vent, as we have heard people mention so many times:
https://youtu.be/XXevhGi02q4

