New boiler..happy, but....

Ron D

We had a new (actually a 4 year old, slightly used) gas Weil McClain boiler installed this spring to replace an ancient oil fired American Standard that was never right. The old one did not have a Hartford loop, nor a true manifold, took forever to make steam, and heated unevenly. The new one makes steam quickly, is more even, and does not overheat like the old one. So overall, we are happy so far...BTW, this is in a 1400 SF 1920's bungalow in the NC mountains, and we've not had much cool weather to really see how well it operates.

A couple of things I've noted so far: Even though the heat comes up much sooner and is much better regulated than before, I've already seen 2 PSI on the gauge, and it has not cut our on pressure yet. That seems high to me, but I'm only a homeowner. I thought under 1 PSI on a one pipe system was desirable.

Second: The nasty water! I've blown this thing off twice a day, and still get really black, ugly water. It's been blown down about 15 or so times already, yet there's no real improvement. Is this normal, or should I drain the whole thing and refill?

Third, there is a 20 foot main that feeds 2 radiators. There had been a third radiator in this run, but was removed because we do not heat this room and the radiator was in the way. A Hoffman 4A main vent was installed in place of the radiator, and it is always venting steam now. (the old system never built any pressure). Is a 4A an appropriate size or should a different size be installed?

Wild Rover

Just a suggestion

I believe anyone who has steam heat should own a copy of Dan's " We got steam heat". This book will help you get more comfortable with your system.

My uncle refuses any help with his steam system so i gave him my copy and he thanks me everytime i see him. Take the plunge, it's worth it.

Wild Rover

Timco

If it get to 2psi and runs & runs, it may be leaking steam out of a bad vent. It should get to whatever you set the pressuretrol to and shut down. Check to see what it is set to. 1psi should do it.

Timco

As for the water, with a cool boiler, drain & refill, then skim. You will never blow down all the junk in the water...

Tim

Mad Dog_2

or.......

it could be under-sized OR perfectly sized to the load. You may to to MEX that boiler, Pal. Mad Dog

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steveex

Clean all tappings into boiler, pig tail and glass valves, perform a 2 hour hot skim, until dry and smooth.

Ron D

Where did I put it?

I've got to fing my copy again...I think it's somewhere in the neighborhood! I've shared it a lot and just need to rememeber who has it.

Ron D

Thanks

The vent is only a few years old, but that doesn't mean anything. The old boiler never could develop pressure except on the coldest days, so the vent never leaked. I took it off last night and shook it, rinsed it out and reinstalled it, but it did not get cold last night so the heat never came on, and so I don't know if that fixed it for now.