Stuck Pressuretrol

LanceT

I have no quick answer for you... I'm going through this right now as well. See my other posts:

http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&Thread_ID=60652&mc=12

http://forums.invision.net/Search_Results.cfm?CFApp=2#Message426441

Mark_125

Stuck Pressuretrol

Hi (w)All,

I just moved into a house with Single-pipe steam heating and have been reading everything I can on the subject. I've looked at my pressuretrol and it looks like it is set between 3 and 5 psi. I've tried changing it, but it wont budge - am I ok to try some WD40 or something on the mechanism to get it moving?

thanks,
Mark

LanceT

You're using the set screw, right? I initially tried to slide the indicator then realized that is only an indicator and you need to set it by turning the set screw at the top... that is if it looks like mine: http://forums.invision.net/Attachment.cfm?pressuretrol.JPG&CFApp=2&Attachment_ID=36106

(this photo is with the cover off -- you can't see the top of the set screw, but you can see the screw itself).

Bill_110

The one I've got has a screw on top of the case which sets the scale on front where the cut in pressure is. One might think it was the indicator on front that set the pressure, while it is actually the screw on top. You might want to check around for old boiler literature in a packet somewhere, it might contain info about the pressuretrol you have, or use a magnifier to get the exact model# and see if you can find info on the internet.

My old boiler had a White Rodgers pressuretrol, most of the ones now are made by Honeywell I think. On most of these you open up the case to be able to adjust the differential, which can be subtractive or additive - kind of confusing if you don't have the instructions - although in your case I would hope it would be subtractive since your pressure looks so high. I know that when I opened up the case of this White Rodgers pressuretrol the differential dial seemed to prevent the adjustment of the cut in on the outside, or maybe it was vice versa, why this was I can't really understand.

The experts here can probably help you out, but I know that after I fiddled around with this old pressuretrol, it developed the habit of sticking when the barometric pressure dropped really low, like when a winter storm was approaching. The boiler wouldn't fire, so you had to nudge this set screw in with a screwdriver to get it to work, it was a real pain.

Dale

screw

Yes, you can use some rust buster on the screw shaft with the cover off, I wouldn't spray it as you only need a drop, you probably have a PA404A and the top adjustment screw goes into a treaded area by the spring. Turning it till it's loose on top usually gets me to a pound or less on the cut in, set the cut out wheel to 1.5 as a start.

Mark_125

Aaaah, its a set screw....

Thank you very much - I had assumed it was a lever to be moved. I will check it tonight. The previous owners of the house knew nothing about steam heating and assumed all the spitting radiator valves were normal because it is an 'old house'. I suspect it has been set really high by some knucklehead previously.

I have already adjusted the cut-out to 1 down from 2. Should I adjust the cut-in in increments or just go right for 0.5 psi.

thanks again

Mark_125

Air Vents

Additionally, as I previously mentioned - pretty much ALL of the air vents are spitting. Should I just replace all of them? Are the ones you can get at Home Depot ok for the job or is there another manufacturer you would recommend.