Best Of
Re: Honeywell Controller keeps shutting off
So it's not a thermostat, but a timer with a bypass. It seems it's some code in your area.
The issue is, here in the states, most residential controls are 24 vac powered, where you guys use 230 vac. And what with the 50 hertz stuff? 60 is where its at.
Are there not neighbors with a similar system, or any local heating companies you could ask? Because we could give you some information that directly violates the codes in your area. And that could have a direct effect on our awesome alliance.
Re: Equalizer Return
Yes, in the drips connected to the main. The drips connected to the returns will stand enough higher to compensate for the pressure difference. Just a different way of saying the same thing…
Re: Equalizer Return
My dear friend @clammy !
No one is advocating to not install an equalizer. But like Steam Doctor said, I think it's important to understand what it does and what it doesn't do. Isn't that the nature of Dan's books, the classes at the Mechanic's Institute, and this forum itself?
I'm still so appreciative of you for your guidance over the years that you have given me and so many others on this forum.
If you'd ever like to see my setup, I'm just down a ways from you in Cedar Grove. I'll be able to show you that the water level never moves at the far end of the main, regardless of pressure or equalizer, using my Peerless boiler that you yourself suggested I buy from Henry's (and I followed your advice). This offer is open to anyone on this forum, and is more than hypothetical 🙂
Re: Boiler water/demineralizers like the Axiom Puropal method of demineralizing?
Slow but steady? Sidestream deionizer?That works..Just make sure that it is either hardpiped vs leaving it setup with just hoses...
Also a word of caution on behalf of the temperatures that the Mixed resin bed is subjected to:
This time of the year when the supply and return temp are lower based on ODR with a modcon most system will not melt the polymers used for the resin bed...Once we get into lower outdoor temperatures which will increase the fluid temp. the Mixed resin bed can melt and clump up in the filter.
Fire in chamber and smoke in basement
2019 Spirit VHF-ABT oil fired furnace with Beckett AFG burner. Last year the pump went. Replaced it with new clean cut pump and it worked fine for a few months, then same problem. Limped it through and now here we are with this heating season. First fire up of the year (early Sept) and burner went into lockout because the pump was seized up. Did a service on it - filter, nozzle, electrodes, coupling, freed up the pump and cleaned exchanger. Start it up and it ran, but a fire burned in combustion chamber after shut down for almost 10 minutes. Pulled it apart, checked everything, reassembled and did same thing. Combustion analyzer said everything was in check. My buddy who’s a tech recommended just running it and burning off any residual fuel inside. It was warm so a few days went by, go to start it and pump is stuck again. Spun it free by hand, reset it, burner lit and again a big fire after shut down. After talking to Beckett tech support they assured me the oil pump failure was from sludge in tank. I removed the two pipe system that fed off the bottom of the tank and changed it to one pipe off top. I installed a Tiger loop/filter to go along with new filter in the original filter housing as extra insurance. Installed new pump, bypass plug installed, set to 120 psi my unit called for, new nozzle, bled the air, start it up and once again big fire. Over the course of a week I’ve tried many things. I adjusted the Z dimension per Beckett manual. I confirmed solenoid is shutting off fuel instantly upon shut down. I completely disassembled the furnace and removed the heat exchanger for visual inspection. Still shiny and new looking. I also burn wood so this furnace gets little use. Only burn 100 gallons or so a season. (Also probably reason sludge in tank.) I smoke tested the heat exchanger. Slowly heated it with a large weed burner torch in the dark in hopes the metal would expand and a crack would appear and then smoke tested it again. I stuffed flashlights into every opening hoping to see light. Nothing. I reassembled, blocked the air tube and tried to use the blower to get any air back through the heat exchanger out the flue. Nothing. I adjusted the barometric damper while running to try and set it at -.03. The Klein manometer I bought isn’t the best, but I definitely seem to have a positive pressure coming down the flue and also out of the inspection cover. So as it sits right now I can’t get that -.03 -.04 in the flue and when I pull the nozzle assembly out it seems to always be soaked in fuel. I also removed the nozzle adapter and installed a new one with a new, correct size nozzle, measured the distance from nozzle to head with straight edge and ruler and set to manufacture specs which I believe was 1-3/8” with the heat shield which my burner has. I also replaced the original retention head due to cracks on it. I had my chimney repointed last year and new clay flues installed. The old ones were even in height. The new ones are offset with the upstairs fire place taller than the flue for furnace in basement. Research seems to say this is normal. I’m also a sinner and have the wood stove tied into same flue as furnace. I sweep the chimney every season and haven’t had a problem since installing the furnace in 2019. I did for the first time today though have some of the smoke from furnace exiting from the door on the wood stove. So there is a definitely a draft issue as well as a combustion issue in the chamber. But why all of a sudden? Sorry so long just trying to cover all bases. I am a licensed tech, so I’m knowledgeable, but limited as I do commercial ac/refrigeration. Any ideas?
Thank you
Re: Need to replace corroded supply to radiator
Seems like the connection to the system is only a couple of inches from the bottom of the tank. That's plenty. The tank doesn't need to be completely dry, just mostly drained.
Re: Need to replace corroded supply to radiator
I don't think @EBEBRATT-Ed 's comment was so much about pex as to making sure you use a large enough diameter tube.
Regarding abandoning the compression tank, you'd need a pretty big expansion tank anyway to account for the large volume of water in your system. You may want to try draining it by splitting the union and putting a tee after your isolation valve with a drain valve there. Saves trying to cut out that plug.
Re: I heard a drip. . . EK System 2000
Leaking boiler drain valves? As a band aid you can get some brass caps from your local hardware store or big box store and screw them on. Have your service provider replace them next time you have the annual maintenance performed.
I would also change how the gray expansion tank is installed. Sidewards tanks are more prone to failure. As someone who works on dozens of EK boilers I have to say that the way that one is installed is quite unusual.
Re: Viessmann cast iron boiler replacement.
John the CU3a can be piped like any old school boiler, if leaving the piping as is keeps costs down. It’s hard to imagine the owner paid large dough 30 years ago, and now wants to go on the cheap- give him the best!
It’s like pulling a G115 or an EK and installing a Smith or a Utica😀
humbly, the European boiler proponent
Re: Beckett NX burner
Then you need a wind vane with a directional control switch. That way if the wind is blowing from the wrong direction, the burner will not be allowed to light off, until the wind changes to a more silky delicate direction.