Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

my steam boiler never shuts off via pressuretrol

steveex
steveex Member Posts: 95
in THE MAIN WALL
Could be boiler undersized, has the boiler been replaced in the last 2 years ?

Comments

  • Big D
    Big D Member Posts: 1
    pressuretrol problems (or not)

    I have a single pipe steam system that does not seem to build pressure. All radiators in the house heat up nicely, but I never see pressure at the gauge above zero nor does the pressuretrol contacts change state (always closed). I have a new honeywell pressuretrol set to cut in at .5 psi with diff set at 1. Here are the things I have tried to date:
    1- Boiled all radiator vents in vinegar to clean them.
    2- Cleaned the pigtail and all fittings leading to the pressuretrol and gauge (I have no restriction in the pigtail).
    3- Checked for vapor coming out of the chimney indicating a hole in the boiler (there is none).

    One thing I have not done is replace the main vents. They appear to be very old and show evidence of not closing properly when steam reaches them. If they are not closing at all, would my radiators still heat up? Could this be causing no pressure building at the gauge and pressuretrol?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you
  • David Nadle
    David Nadle Member Posts: 624
    blessing in disguise?

    Big D, you're probably operating at very low pressure. If the house has nice balanced heat then don't worry about it. It may be that you will always satisfy the thermostat before you hit 1.5 psi.

    I've got a vaporstat and a cute little pressure gauge with peak detection and so far this year I haven't seen the pressure hit 3 ounces. I've never had the boiler shut off on pressure. I haven't set the vaporstat down to 3 ounces yet; I'm waiting for a truly cold day to see if peak pressure increases.

    Are your main vents spitting?
  • oil-2-4-6-gas
    oil-2-4-6-gas Member Posts: 641


    if it doesn't use a lot of oil and the house gets warm satisfies the heat demand-- no crazy banging etc.. just nice quiet steam coming up when the t-stat calls then shuts off before you reach any pressure ---be THANKFUL there are many MANY MANY oh yeah did i mention MANY people out there with steam who would like to have their system run like yours
This discussion has been closed.

Categories