Best Of
Re: Adding thermal purge to oil boiler with 2 zones
my system is a single zone so that's how i get away with it. Maybe you could setup the purge zone to be the second priority and so it wouldn't ever starve the other zone during a purge. Starts to get a little needlessly complex at this point,, and a proper aquastat starts to make sense but since you have a strap on in place already it might make sense.
This sounds like old tech but you could always run off one thermostat and just send heat to both zones at the same time, and just adjust flow on the zone without the thermostat, then your boiler will run all at once, everyone gets heat, purge, done. It could help with short cycling. That's basically how my system works, my thermostat is downstairs and I just have a balancing valve on pipes going to the upstairs and downstairs, i just choke whatever gets too hot. Makes my runs longer and longer in between.
Please note i am not a plumber or hydronic expert, i have no training. I am just a home owner attempting to save money where i can!
Re: Sizing a replacement steam boiler
If you have 305 sq ft of radiation that is all you need to know. Forget about BTUs. The boiler rating plate or spec sheet will show how many sq feet the boiler is rated for you don't need to do any conversions or add the pickup factor that is already done by the boiler mfg.
But your calculation of 305 x 240 x 1.33 is correct.
But just use the sq ft rating it is easier.
For Burnham the Steam Max STMX125 is 125,000 input will do 321 square feet of steam. They also have the Independence, but I would stay away from that one.
I am not a Burnham fan however, but the steam max is supposed to be a good boiler
Single most important thing is to INSIST the installer follows the boiler mFG piping diagram. Don't assume he knows this. You will hear "I have been doing this for 20, 30, 40 years yada yada.
Be careful we get horror stories on here weekly that need to be re installed.
And make sure they install a skim tapping and skim the boiler if needed.
You mentioned Brooklyn so maybe @JohnNY , @EzzyT or @Mad Dog_2 . I don't know if they all work in your area.
Re: Where should cut in pressure be set to
Make sure you test the operation of the P trol after adjustment. If the cut in is to low the boiler may not restart and you may have to tweak the setting up slightly. If you haven't cleaned the pigtail that is also something that should be done every couple of years.
Re: Lwco shuts off when boiler overfilled?
Totally agree. And it is surprising how "little" overfill will do this. In many installations the pressure switch and the LWCO (and maybe other safeties) will be wired all in series (there are other way to do this, but this is very common indeed). So — I'd say everything worked the way it was supposed to work.
Re: Advice for replacing a Bell & Gossett 2-1/2" with a Grundfos
You don't need two couplers. I gave the example in case you can't fit one in one side you can change just the nipple on the other side if you need more room
Re: Best way to handle short cycling on boiler
I would look at the system a little more. How does the system heat? How long to get heat to the radiation from a cold start (boiler warm pipes basement temp).
We need to find out if the system has adequate venting. Lack of venting can cause short cycling even if the boiler is the correct size.
Re: Adding thermal purge to oil boiler with 2 zones
what is the goal of the purge? How high of a mass do you have to make it worthwhile to purge? Will the purge overheat a zone or room?
The purge may leave you with a cold start boiler on every fire? Cold starts are the least efficient run mode for that boiler, so any purge gains may go up the flue anyways.
I’d be looking for a way to keep the boiler online as much and long as possible. Outdoor reset is a good option for long or near constant boiler run cycles.
hot_rod
Re: Any issues with long pigtail for pressuretrol
@melo, there is no issue with the pigtail in your picture.
Re: Flue liners hindering check of flue
Pull the cap off and shine a decent flash light down it while looking up with the mirror?
ChrisJ
Re: Does any company make slip tees in propress/copper press standard?
I know on most sweat copper couplings or tees you can file out the stop and slide it up the tube.
I don’t think the hub design of typical press fitting allows that?
hot_rod