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Re: Need new a/c or heat pump for hydro air handler- OxBox any good? Other suggestion?
If it were me, I'd go with a high SEER, high COP 2 stage heat pump for 3 heat stages, and the hydro coil also during defrost.
I'm not yet sold on the longevity of parts and repairs vs higher upfront cost for an inverter system. I've serviced some Bosch. I've setup and commissioned multiple Carrier Infinity systems, and they are pretty amazing, but for how long before $$$ repairs are needed.
There's also a much better chance of a tech having a contactor, or capacitor, or a condenser fan motor on the van than an inverter board for your exact system. But that's me.
Either way, vet the installer. Get references.
I'm not yet sold on the longevity of parts and repairs vs higher upfront cost for an inverter system. I've serviced some Bosch. I've setup and commissioned multiple Carrier Infinity systems, and they are pretty amazing, but for how long before $$$ repairs are needed.
There's also a much better chance of a tech having a contactor, or capacitor, or a condenser fan motor on the van than an inverter board for your exact system. But that's me.
Either way, vet the installer. Get references.
HVACNUT
2
Re: Thread sealant cure
I've been tempted to mix up some expando and try it out. Rumor on the streets is it's impossible to get back apart.EBEBRATT-Ed said:Only when using "Expando" on a high-pressure oil line that ran at like 400 deg.
ChrisJ
1
Re: Are there seriously no leveling shims I can just buy?
Thanks everyone for the comments. I've summarized some options that look decent:
I did manage to find furniture foot stops; most are too thick and not interlocking so it was hard to find. One ok option is the "stable the table" brand. These are 1/8" thick and nesting. 12 pack for $19 means $1.58 apiece. The downside is the 2.2" OD, awkwardly large, but they are brown to blend with the floor.
https://amazon.com/Stable-Multi-use-Furniture-Protector-Loveseats/dp/B0BMW95691
Metal disks or washers - tons of options but you have to hunt a bit. Most are too thin (a tall stack would be unstable and annoying to set up) or have too big of a center hole. For reference, a quarter is 0.955" OD and 0.069 thick. The aluminum or steel disks (not washers) from McMaster were minimum 1/2" thick, too thick. Most stainless washers are really thin, 0.05" typical.
Black steel washers, 1" OD, 0.28" ID, thickness 1/8". $1.18 apiece. https://mcmaster.com/92140A112
Fender washers - seems like a great choice. Available from any hardware store. Dimensions are good. 1.25" OD, 1/4" ID, 1/8" thick. https://homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-x-1-1-4-in-Zinc-Plated-Fender-Washer-100-Pack-804790/204276327
Interlocking washers - couldn't find it.
Stamping blanks - usually too thin.
Wood disks - available from Michael's. 1.5" OD. Thickness? Not listed, looks to be at least 1/8". Wood? It's a mystery. Price? $0.22 apiece. https://michaels.com/product/wood-discs-1-12-10049505
Wood disks from woodpecker's - shipping isn't free, but it's a guaranteed hardwood (birch) and it comes in various sizes, super cheap from $0.12 - $0.21 apiece if you buy at least 25. https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/wood-circles-wooden-discs/#/filter:custom_material:Solid$2520Birch
Similar wood disks from American Woodcrafter's Supply. https://americanwoodcrafterssupply.com/catalog/wooden-discs-wooden-circles/wooden-discs-wooden-circles/
I ended up buying a bunch of different sized pieces from Woodpecker's. Total was $21 including shipping for 100 pieces.
I did manage to find furniture foot stops; most are too thick and not interlocking so it was hard to find. One ok option is the "stable the table" brand. These are 1/8" thick and nesting. 12 pack for $19 means $1.58 apiece. The downside is the 2.2" OD, awkwardly large, but they are brown to blend with the floor.
https://amazon.com/Stable-Multi-use-Furniture-Protector-Loveseats/dp/B0BMW95691
Metal disks or washers - tons of options but you have to hunt a bit. Most are too thin (a tall stack would be unstable and annoying to set up) or have too big of a center hole. For reference, a quarter is 0.955" OD and 0.069 thick. The aluminum or steel disks (not washers) from McMaster were minimum 1/2" thick, too thick. Most stainless washers are really thin, 0.05" typical.
Black steel washers, 1" OD, 0.28" ID, thickness 1/8". $1.18 apiece. https://mcmaster.com/92140A112
Fender washers - seems like a great choice. Available from any hardware store. Dimensions are good. 1.25" OD, 1/4" ID, 1/8" thick. https://homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-x-1-1-4-in-Zinc-Plated-Fender-Washer-100-Pack-804790/204276327
Interlocking washers - couldn't find it.
Stamping blanks - usually too thin.
Wood disks - available from Michael's. 1.5" OD. Thickness? Not listed, looks to be at least 1/8". Wood? It's a mystery. Price? $0.22 apiece. https://michaels.com/product/wood-discs-1-12-10049505
Wood disks from woodpecker's - shipping isn't free, but it's a guaranteed hardwood (birch) and it comes in various sizes, super cheap from $0.12 - $0.21 apiece if you buy at least 25. https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/wood-circles-wooden-discs/#/filter:custom_material:Solid$2520Birch
Similar wood disks from American Woodcrafter's Supply. https://americanwoodcrafterssupply.com/catalog/wooden-discs-wooden-circles/wooden-discs-wooden-circles/
I ended up buying a bunch of different sized pieces from Woodpecker's. Total was $21 including shipping for 100 pieces.
zooba
3
Re: New Gorton Stuck Vent, Investigative Surgery
Here's some cutaways from bulletins from '33 to '47 +/- ... 
reggi
1
Question about commercial steam boiler venting
When you replacing a commercial steam boiler with a new one, do you install a chimney liner? We dont do the installations any more and just rep boilers. We are seeing one local designer stipulate that a chimney liner is required on all steam boiler changeouts and it really jacks the prices up. I can understand the logic when you replace a hydronic boiler but a new steam boiler is only a percent or two more efficient than an older one. 80-82% We never had an issue with this before. You can imagine the cost for this liner Thanks
Re: Which is better heat pump or a hybrid heat pump
There’s no right answer, pros and cons to both.
Hybrid: backup source if the heat pump breaks, you can possibly game electricity rates if your utility offers time of use, could avoid future demand charges or save during demand response, you can use a lower end heat pump, and usually non-cold climate heat pumps are more efficient in warmer temps
heat pump only: this could be a cold climate heat pump without electric resistance strips, or could include them. No extra system, no gas service fees, no oil/propane tank to leak, no chimney to worry about, will usually be more appropriately sized then a furnace
heat pump only: this could be a cold climate heat pump without electric resistance strips, or could include them. No extra system, no gas service fees, no oil/propane tank to leak, no chimney to worry about, will usually be more appropriately sized then a furnace
Re: hydrostat 3250 and my new boiler
Here is the latest diagram based on the 4200a control:
1. The concept is to fool the HydroStat control to get a higher boiler temperature during setback recovery. (at 6:00AM and 3:00PM)
2. The HydroStat will provide a higher boiler temperature if there is a call for DHW. (so we will use that feature at 6:00AM and 3:00PM)
3. The thermostat you have has the capability for 2 stage heat operation.
4. Your thermostat will automatically select stage 2 operation whenever the set-point (the desired temperature) is more than 1° higher than the room temperature.
5. This happens whenever there is a change from set back to normal set point (desired temperature). For example changing from 64° to 68° is more than 1° higher
6. By operating a RIB relay with stage 2 from one of the thermostats, the relay contacts can tell the boiler to make DHW with higher temperature water. (but we will operate the CH circulator pump)
7. Once the room temperature reaches 67° the stage 2 relay will drop out and the boiler will automatically revert to ODR mode.
8. You must program your 4200a to accept the stage 2 as DHW demand for this to work. (it should come that way from the factory)
9. You must connect the DHW/Zone 2 circulator wire to your existing circulator with a jumper or wire nut at the 4200a control (see triangle note 5)
1. The concept is to fool the HydroStat control to get a higher boiler temperature during setback recovery. (at 6:00AM and 3:00PM)
2. The HydroStat will provide a higher boiler temperature if there is a call for DHW. (so we will use that feature at 6:00AM and 3:00PM)
3. The thermostat you have has the capability for 2 stage heat operation.
4. Your thermostat will automatically select stage 2 operation whenever the set-point (the desired temperature) is more than 1° higher than the room temperature.
5. This happens whenever there is a change from set back to normal set point (desired temperature). For example changing from 64° to 68° is more than 1° higher
6. By operating a RIB relay with stage 2 from one of the thermostats, the relay contacts can tell the boiler to make DHW with higher temperature water. (but we will operate the CH circulator pump)
7. Once the room temperature reaches 67° the stage 2 relay will drop out and the boiler will automatically revert to ODR mode.
8. You must program your 4200a to accept the stage 2 as DHW demand for this to work. (it should come that way from the factory)
9. You must connect the DHW/Zone 2 circulator wire to your existing circulator with a jumper or wire nut at the 4200a control (see triangle note 5)
Re: Archer Boilers
I was thinking the same thing. The thing that caught my eye was the center flue. I come across a lot of old American Standard or some AC Delcos with center flue in tight spots or garages that I don't have the room to replace it with a CI Crown because of size and flue configuration. Weil McLain would be my other option for CI, but stock has been low in my neck of the woods with only one supply house repping them.
