Best Of
Re: Steam coming from the main vent
Yes it is my boiler but i'm not there all the time .. I think if I get those round style I should be fine. Again I can not thank you enough for all you help…ur AWESOME !! when i add pipe to the main vent do us teflon tape or pipe dope ?? Also i was thinking that that radiator may not be sloped …could that cuz the steam isssue ??
Re: Steam coming from the main vent
Teflon Tape. Make sure you don't get it over the port.
If it were spitting water, then maybe slope. Try a new vent first and then see if it needs a couple of shims on the vent side.
Re: Rollout (or Spill Switch?) Tripping on Brand New Boiler?
It looks like the vent may be reduced and unless that is something insulated for 0 clearance, not just type b pipe, it is too close to combustibles on the outside.
Re: Steam coming from the main vent
Telling .. looks like when the steam reaches the vent it blows out with moister.. does that mean the vent is bad and not closing ?? thx Paul
Re: Rollout (or Spill Switch?) Tripping on Brand New Boiler?
Your vent location may be the cause of your problem. Here is an excerpt from a typical B-Vent manufacturer’s installation instructions.
6. VENT LOCATION AND ENCLOSURES
Selkirk Type B Gas Vents are recommended to be installed within the heated portion of the structure wherever possible to reduce heat loss which may in turn lead to poor draft and/or condensation and/or ice problems.The building can cause reverseventing action when the appliance is off, or operating on its pilot.In multi-family residential, highrise and many other types of buildings, codes specify that vents must be located in fire rated shafts or chases. Building Code requirements in such cases must be carefully followed with respect to wall construction, access, clearance, support, initial penetration of breaching, and method of termination. If an exterior location is necessary, an exterior located Selkirk Type B GasVent (as per Figure 4) must be:- Enclosed by a chase spaced out 1” from the vent at least to the roof line.- The enclosure should be caulked to prevent entry of moisture.- It is also recommended that his chase be insulated to a minimum of R-12(RSI 2.1).- Rigid type insulation is recommended. If a non rigid type is use, it must be restrained in such a manner so that the 1” airspace clearance to combustibles respected.- The bottom of the enclosure must be closed off.- It is recommended to provide an access panel for future inspection and cleaning of the vent Appliances served by an exterior gas vent must have an air supply to the appliance room adequate to balance indoor and outdoor pressures. Otherwise,“stack action” of the heated building can cause reverseventing action when the appliance is off, or operating on its pilot. In multi-family residential, highrise and many other types of buildings, codes specify that vents must be located in fire rated shafts or chases. Building Code requirements in such cases must be carefully followed with respect to wall construction, access,clearance, support, initial penetration of breaching, and method of termination.
In order to reduce the “reverseventing action” of that B-Vent, commonly called a Down-Draft, you may need to enclose that venting system as indicated in this photo.
Be sure that you use the proper insulation on the interior of the enclosure so as to prevent the insulation from coming in contact with the galvanized vent. If you have questions about this, you can always contact the build permit folks and ask the fire code official what is the best practice to enclose the vent. You may need a variance if the enclosure encroaches on the property set back.
OR just do it on the weekend and hope no one calls the building inspector on you.
And why all of a sudden, do I need to do this now, since it has not been a problem for 15 years? you might ask
Your old boiler may have has the same problem and someone fixed it by eliminating the roll out switch. which would have been dangerous because that would make it possible for carbon monoxide to enter the building on a regular basis. And it was cheeper that following the B Vent manufacturer's instructions. I do not recommend bypassing the Spill switch limit device. I recommend fixing the problem the correct way. @Bob Harper is the Flue and Exhaust expert on HeatingHelp.com. Lets see if he agrees.
Here is the link to the Selkirk B-Vent manual. You can also find the one for your particular brand online. it. will say something similar I'm sure.
https://www.selkirkcorp.com/literature/Model_RV_Cdn_Installation_Instructions.pdf
RIB current sensing relay on ECM circ
I bought this RIB from SupplyHouse.com, to see if it would work down on the low current draw of an ECM.
So when the pump boots up, starts spinning it makes a dry contact, by sensing the current. The line wrapped around the loop twice. This could fire a boiler, HP etc. Something to consider for TRV systems to wake up the boiler as flow starts moving. So no central t-stat needed to start the boiler.
It works on the 15-58 without any problem. It needed some adjusting to work on the Alpha ECM at low speed.
I tried the Phenix brand, an import knock-off, but it was fickle on the low ECM speeds. This one seems rock solid. I have it triggering a standard Caleffi ZVC t-stat connection, 24V.
Re: My grundfos alpha2 15-55f circulator not pumping
The allen headed cap screws take a 4 mm allen, a 5/32 T handle works also.
Next remove the rotor can from inside the motor, does the impeller turn?
If not the rotor can be removed from the can with a couple thin blades. Carefully. There is a flat rubber gasket in there.
If the inside is covered with black articles, you have magnetite plugging those pumps.
Re: Confused about home Hydronics heating system. Can some help me decipher whats happening?
Can you post the pictures without the lines drawn over them? I am having trouble seeing the piping behind the lines.
Re: Getting my 1924 system going again
@mattmia2 The relief valve is currently about a foot above the top of the boiler, so I'll just use the same location. Thanks for reminding me about a PRV with a fast fill. 👍️
Re: Rollout (or Spill Switch?) Tripping on Brand New Boiler?
Just curious, how was it determined that 199,000 was the right size?