Vaporstat Vs Pressuretrol

Tim_64

Still tuning my system, loving that November on Long Island has been mild so far..

If I fire the "cool boiler" i.e. boiler water is 120F per aqaustat. I get steam at the radiator valves in 9-11 minutes. In another 10 or so minutes I have heat across almost every radiator (some rad vents need tweaking)

In all it takes 20-22 minutes to get heat across all the radiators.

Checking a pressure gauge I have mounted on a tee on the farthest rad.... I get pressure indicated at 24-26 minutes (needle just starts to lift)

Pressure rises rapidly after that. Cut off is below 1.5 psi..

5 degree call for heat satisfied in 32 mins, no pressuretrol cut in.

Now that I've provided my latest data, I'll ask the questions :-P

If I have heat in all the rads at around 20-22 mins, should I get a Vaporstat instead of a Pressuretrol? and let that control the burn?

All the radiator vents seem to close around 26-28 mins then pressure ramps up.

I'm thinking that there is no reason to have a 1.5 psi cut off on this system.

What type of Vaporstat? Differential or additive..? I'm thinking differential...

Or not change anything at all? monitor the system this season and make change next heating season?

Lastly just underfire the burner a bit..

Its funny eliminating one problem at a time from this old system has, what in my limited steam experience got it to run so much more efficiently...

For example the other day I stopped myself and said SELF... I was comparing pitch of pipes against bottom of joists.. then I said SELF.. the floors in your 100 year old house aren't level... then I kicked myself in the ****

So I corrected the pitch on some pipe.

Thanks for any advice

Mad Dog_2

You are OBSSESSED with The Steam.....ain't cha?

Unless you have money to spend and alot of time, I'd say you have this system working VERY well. I'd leave it be. Good work, Tim. Mad Dog

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Fred Harwood_2

Vaporstat

Sounds as if you don't need to downfire. In fact, response may be slightly slow, but it's close.

Also sounds as if your system is well designed and can heat the rads with very little pressure. So, yes, get that Vaporstat (L408A 1132) and keep the pressure under 1 psi.

Also, consider thermostat anticipation, which helps minimize temperature overshoot.

Tim_65

I'm obsessed

I'm obsessed with saving every gallon of fuel I can by getting the steam system working as efficiently as I can. I have plenty of time to work on this, since I provide all the labor. Obviously I'm not a plumber, but I am one of those guys you were all poking fun of a few weeks ago... a PE

The vaportstat is pretty expensive though, while I can afford it, the ROI may not be there.

If I'm able to save 100 or 200 or more gallons of fule this winter, thats more race fuel,slicks, and spares for my racecar.

I think I'll wait until the cold really arrives, and letting the system work for a few weeks or months, while analyzing its behavior. Then decide on any changes..

Again, thanks for all your help.

nicholas bonham-carter

obssesion??

and what's wrong with steam obssesion, or the search for perfection of operation?
to check the timing of those rads getting hot,get some little foil muffin dishes and identical sized pats of butter[ 1 in each], and put them in the fridge.
when you make the test, take them out, and place on the vent end of the rads.fire the boiler, and all should melt at the same time., also works checking relative temps of racing tires]
lastly reward yourself with a plate of buttered toast[sourdough rye is my favorite]!!--nbc