Gravity Circulation

Steve_140

I recently repiped and existing boiler w/new tubing and fin tube. It consists only of 1 zone and its a simple loop configuration. I did install a sweat check to prevent gravity circulation. However I did not install it on the supply as I always do,I installed it on the return line near the boiler. Apparently the homeowner has noticed that some of the baseboard is usually always hot and some isnt. I had my helper stop over there today and check it out. From what he tells me It definately sounds like its gravity feeding. My question is does it make a difference having the sweat check on the return instead of the supply? The weight should be down when the circulator is not running and prevent this whether its the on the supply or return or am I missing something here I dont know about.The weight is in the down posistion and is not adjusted for gravity circulation.

Thanks Steve

zeke

under

> I recently repiped and existing boiler

> w/new tubing and fin tube. It consists only of 1

> zone and its a simple loop configuration. I did

> install a sweat check to prevent gravity

> circulation. However I did not install it on the

> supply as I always do,I installed it on the

> return line near the boiler. Apparently the

> homeowner has noticed that some of the baseboard

> is usually always hot and some isnt. I had my

> helper stop over there today and check it out.

> From what he tells me It definately sounds like

> its gravity feeding. My question is does it make

> a difference having the sweat check on the return

> instead of the supply? The weight should be down

> when the circulator is not running and prevent

> this whether its the on the supply or return or

> am I missing something here I dont know about.The

> weight is in the down posistion and is not

> adjusted for gravity circulation.

>

> Thanks

> Steve



No, but it makes a difference in what direction you are pumping. For example, if you have a loop . and your heat source is on the left, you should pump counterclockwise, since the gravity flow is clockwise

Empire_2

OK,...A couple of things to keep in mind.

The FLo-Control valve should always be installed in the supply pipping because that is where the water is the hottest. There are times, however, when you may need a flo-check on the return side of the boiler because believe it or not, gravity circulation can occur in a single pipe. It doesn't need a complete loop. Back end gravity circulation can occur especially if there is a radiator above the boiler on the return side.

Which side do you have the flow check installed on? Is it a Swing check? or flo-Control check? Also, is the valve stem pointed at the ceiling?

Mike T.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

> I recently repiped and existing boiler

> w/new tubing and fin tube. It consists only of 1

> zone and its a simple loop configuration. I did

> install a sweat check to prevent gravity

> circulation. However I did not install it on the

> supply as I always do,I installed it on the

> return line near the boiler. Apparently the

> homeowner has noticed that some of the baseboard

> is usually always hot and some isnt. I had my

> helper stop over there today and check it out.

> From what he tells me It definately sounds like

> its gravity feeding. My question is does it make

> a difference having the sweat check on the return

> instead of the supply? The weight should be down

> when the circulator is not running and prevent

> this whether its the on the supply or return or

> am I missing something here I dont know about.The

> weight is in the down posistion and is not

> adjusted for gravity circulation.

>

> Thanks

> Steve



I LOVE gravity circulation of hot water.

Unfortunately it often appears in low magnitude when you expect none and can only appear in high magnitude when you carefully design.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I LOVE gravity circulation of hot water.

Unfortunately it often appears in low magnitude when you expect none and can only appear in high magnitude when you carefully design.