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Re: Is the circulator pump too powerful?
I suspect that a Flo Control (check) valve would solve this. I Imagine Zones 3 and 4 are next to each other?
Really, each zone should have it's own flow control valve.
Re: Is the circulator pump too powerful?
Has this always happened? …or is this something new?
There may be something called Ghost Flow happening as a result of the piping configuration of Zone 4 and Zone 3 with regards to gravith flow within the pipe. I might take a guess that Zone 3 has larger pipes than the other zones that show no problem. The larger pipe is more susceptible to Ghost Flow. Here is a description of Ghost Flow from an old book on Zoning Made Easy. Look on page 11. One Zone One Circulator
If it is not Ghost Flow, then we need some of the Photos of the boiler room to include the pump locations in reference to the boiler and the different Tee fitting locations for each zone takeoff. If this is a new problem then perhaps an existing Flow Control Valve is stuck. Have you had any boiler work done just before the problem presented? Like a replacement pump installed or a new zone added?
If this is a "always been there" problem, then there may be a piping design flaw.
Re: Is the circulator pump too powerful?
The Taco pump for the 3rd floor has an internal flow check which is stuck open or has some debris in it. It’s in (or should be) the discharge side of the pump. Fix that and your problem will be resolved.
Ironman
Re: Is the circulator pump too powerful?
Without knowing more information, it looks like the pumps for zones 2,3 and 5 are too large and that you need some check valves to prevent ghost flow.
Re: Best Material to Use for Drainpipes in Residential Homes.
Foam core is a reference to manufacturing process. Solid and foam core look alike and perform very similar. With exception of weight and labeling, cannot tell difference through examination even on cut surfaces.
Due to lower density foam core transmits sounds more readily. I’ve also seen boiler specification that said foam core PVC cannot be used for venting applications.
PC7060
Re: dealing with twists in the pex , not staple up. I have Omega extrusions now. YAY!
Found this #8 x 5/8" zip-R with a sharp point and all threads and #2 Robertson. $19.28 per thousand. I like it.
skyking1
Re: Temporarily Moving Compressor For Yard Work
It is a hermetic compressor, not nitroglycerine. It gets disturbed a lot more while it is running than moving it will. The biggest risk is having to fix a lineset leak.
mattmia2
Re: Temporarily Moving Compressor For Yard Work
Thanks all. Some great constructive ideas there and warnings. The paver area nearby will be returned to dirt for planting but the AC will always have to sit atop a hard surface, pavers or concrete. So now as I think about it seems wiser to leave it alone right now and still have AC for summer, replace it when it dies, reframe with new pavers and THEN put a concrete pad for the new compressor. Thanks all for the input.
D107
Re: Are boiler rooms dangerous? this weeks video
In my 35+ years as a boiler service / installation tech for a company in Pittsburgh, Pa. I was involved in a few furnace/boiler explosions. A state inspector who carried license's for Pa and also for the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and insurance company now part of Munich Re, told me " a fuel explosion is called a furnace explosion and a failure of the pressure vessel is a boiler explosion". Take a look at the boiler explosion at the Dana Plant in Paris, Tn. This will give you a look into a poorly maintained steam boiler plant. I was involved in an explosion at a now closed hospital in Newcastle, Pa, a building in Greensburg, Pa. , a high school located south of Pittsburgh and a few others. I knew the dangers of working with these potential bombs and it did not frighten me. I learned to respect them. A well,maintained boiler and system will "purr like a kitten" and is always 99% safe. I like @EBEBRATT-Ed heard about the explosion in the Bell Telephone Building and met a man who worked there.
Re: Axeman-Anderson oil fired boiler vs. Burnham oil fired
Follow up:
from your photographs I can see there is some household dust, lint, and/or animal dander inside your burner that may have built up over years of operation. So there is a possibility that the openings illustrated above may be partially blocked. Also there is the possibility that the Eye is defective. They do go bad from time to time. If you can find a local oil burner parts supplier, like RE Michel or Johnstone Supply, they may sell One Eye only. SupplyHouse.com only sells a 5 pack for about $49.00, so the cad cell complete with harness and wire is less expensive, if you go that route.
You must operate the burner with the flame on, then jump the F F terminals to keep the burner operating during the test. then check Ohms from the two disconnected yellow wires. that is the only way to get the Ohms reading for signal strength. I find that a 500 Ohms reading is common with a new Cad Cell. anything lower that 1200 is acceptable. Anything over 1600 is usually interpreted by the primary control as no flame.
You need to get a good flame signal. A new boiler is a very costly fix for the problem. Especially if all you need is little cleaning, or a $16.00 part to get the heat running.