Best Of
Re: Dielectric Union question
Because some engineers think they know more than they do. I spent more than a year replacing every dielectric union in 7 different schools plus 2 hospitals that were all designed by the same engineer less than 5 years prior. Just get those things out of there as they begin to leak. If a union is needed, use a brass one.
GroundUp
Re: Can a new steam system be installed in a new residential house?
Cast iron radiators do not "turn off".
Nor do the entire radiators reach 212 except under extreme conditions, generally a few sections do while the boiler is running and then the hotter sections dissipate some into the cooler sections. This allows the massive radiators to keep heating the space while the boiler is off. The system doesn't behave like it's turning on and off, similar to a concrete radiant floor, just not as massive obviously.
My next question is, you say 200F is ok but 12 degrees hotter isn't? Can you explain please? That's a 6% increase…….
ChrisJ
Re: Well color me impressed! (LONG post)
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a boiler’s transformer damaged by a compromised zone valve end switch. It’s just one leg of the transformer and it won’t short.
Personally, I use a zone valve control for ease of wiring and troubleshooting.
Re: copper pipe feedback
You would need to add up the EDR of all the radiators in the house and then look at the rating plate on the boiler to know if the sizing is even close. Given the piping, I doubt they know how to size and probably just went off the old one, but the EDR numbers would tell the story. If you need help with this, let us know, it's easy and we can walk you through it.
Do you know if this is one pipe steam or 2 pipe steam? Pictures of a radiator will tell the story if you aren't sure.
Can an oversized boiler be made to work acceptably? Yes it can, but expectations need to be realistic about performance. You should be able to get it to heat quietly and comfortably even if oversized, it's just going to take some figuring out.
That said, that boiler piping will not allow any amount of fiddling to get there. What is truly infuriating about this is that manufacturer actually sells a piping kit for those boilers to help the contractor not screw it up.
Post a pic of the rating plate for the boiler we can look up the proper piping. It's not just about pipe arrangement, there is also pipe sizing. That boiler should have a 3" header, you currently don't even really have a header. It's a mess, got to think baby steps here.
I would not have high expectations that the contractor will make any effort to correct this even though they should. I'd be prepared to spend some money, if you can find a contractor that is either knowledgeable or willing to listen to direction on what needs done.
Couple things to always keep in mind along this journey. Steam should heat comfortably, evenly, and quietly/silently. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Steam making noise should always be considered a cry for help.
KC_Jones
Re: Something Just Doesn't sound right about this
That looks like an old gravity flow system that’s been/being converted to forced flow. We do a lot of these and the basic rule of thumb that Dan taught us has always worked: divide the size of the gravity piping by half, then go one size smaller for your new, near boiler piping.
One thing that’s very important and that you must address: the old piping and radiators can contain a lot of sludge and rust. You must get it out because it can destroy modern circulators and clog water tube heat exchangers and other components.
We start by flushing the system with water until it returns clear. Expect to use a lot, maybe hundreds of gallons.
Install a Dirt Mag or Sep4 LLH. Add a cleaner like Fernox and check the system after a couple of weeks of running. Repeat flushing as needed.
A standing cast iron radiator is the best natural air separation device. Caleffi has a small air vent that will replace the coin vent on each radiator and can manually and automatically vent the radiator which is where the air in the system will naturally go to and remain until vented.
Ironman
Re: boiler can't reach the temperature
if the boiler reaches temperature and shuts down, then you have a circulation issue.
Bad pump or control that starts it
Air lock
Plugged strainer
Frozen pipes
Can you read the pressure on the lowers scale? should be 12 psi or more.
If the gauge works.
hot_rod
Re: Hydronics resources for a newbie?
I'll add, Visit Heating Help every day. You have access to thousands of years of experience here. I've learned so much by spending time here.😊
Yours, Larry
Re: Something Just Doesn't sound right about this
Good to see the McDonalds Coffee. That's the most important thing before starting work No coffee I go home.
Re: Christmas Wishing for a Warm Classroom
Great detective work.
I applaud you for taking the initiave to help heat your classroom. I doubt the students can learn properly in that enviroment.
I would take some picture and then I would drag maintenance, the principal and the school superintendent down there and stick their nose in the trap.
I know I am a harsh old man and you have a job to keep but seriously I hope they fix it.
I would have a chat with the principal and show him the problem. Christmas vacation is coming up and they should have maintenance fix this during vacation or call a contractor in that will fix this.
I am a MA taxpayer and they need to get this fixed.
Wildly off topic. Or is it?
I've just finished reading the complete NTSB report on the container ship collision with the Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Don't bother — it's long. But…
Turns out the root cause was that a signal wire was not fully inserted into a connector, creating an occasional loose connection which looked fine but wasn't.
Moral of the story for all and sundry. If you have unexplained intermittent failures in an electrical circuit — check all your connections! They may look fine, but… pull on them. Wiggle them. Look again.
Before you fire the parts cannon (or knock down a bridge?)
