Replacing Pressuretrol with Vaporstat

gerry gill

but you can put the vaporstat on the vent tee, but make sure there is a pigtail.

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Dave_4

Vaporstat

I am having a problem with a Pressuretrol not functioning properly and have been told in another message that a Vaporstat would be a better pressure control for a residential boiler. My boiler service company has "no problem" with the pressure cycling between 3-5 lbs on cold days - (so, in addition, I need a new boiler service company - but that's another topic).

I read an article on the web which had the following paragraph:

"If you want real economy, buy a vaporstat that operates from 0-1 PSI, and is graduated in ounces. Install it at the boiler, or even better, at the end of the steam supply main. Wire it to break one leg of the thermostat wire through it, and leave the pressuretrol as is, as a high limit. Set the vaporstat as low as you can and still heat every radiator."
( http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/archive/index.php?t-49460.html )
The above sounds like something I can easily do without involving my boiler maintenance company (aka my fuel supplier).

To accomplish this it seems like all I would have to do is tee the Vaporstat next to my Gorton #2 vent at the end of one of my mains and then wire the Vaporstat in series to the Thermostat (I have only 1 thermostat).

Is this reasonable or is it a dumb idea?

Also, what is the going rate for Vaporstats. The cheapest I can find them on the web is about $200 shipped - more typically, $300 shipped. Is $200 shipped a reasonable price?

Jamie Hall

They are expensive

your price doesn't sound that far off...

Others can comment on the installation better (much better) than I

JB_8

stat

You have to put it on the boiler with a pig tail. A good set up is to leave the pressuretrol as a high limit safty shut off. If the vaporstat fails the pressuretrol will take over. Use a 1/4" tee and a few nipples for the vaporstat on the same pig tail as the pressuretrol and wire them together series. Wire it in series from the vent damper to the gas valve. That way the vent damper will not open and close every time the vapor stat breaks on pressure. Look under hood of vent damper to see the color of the wire to the gas valve.

Fred Harwood_2

Vaporstat install -- oil

I often see comment on clogged pigtails and dead Pressuretrols. Replaced a steel pigtail yesterday, and added a 16-ounce Vaporstat. I follow Weil-Mclain's Dane Nobbs's recommendation to make up a siphon out of quarter-inch pipe nips and tees, so that every second year or so the siphon can be blown clear by removing the plugs one at a time.