Help ID this steam system?

Steamhead (in transit)

what you do need is proper piping.

I haven't looked at the I&O manual for that boiler but the lack of a header, Hartford Loop and possibly a second riser are certainly issues.

Generating 9 pounds of steam does a great job of compressing the steam, which takes up more water. This is likely the cause of the boiler shutting off on low water.

Gerry is right about those outboard traps. I couldn't see the brand name, but the one in the pic was made in Massachusetts.

How does the air get out of that system? There should be at least a vent on the dry return......

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Timco

Got a call about banging pipes and too much heat, and found this today. Only one main supply tapping was used. System runs at 9 psi. Other issue is the return does not have enough water in reserve and no sylonoid fill so it shuts down on LWCO until enough condensate makes it back. Note the pitch of the main & return, away from the boiler, right where there is banging. What does the trap tell us? All are painted so no info on them...this boiler was installed 3 weeks ago and the owner has fired the last guy and wants it to be "fixed".

Tim

Charlie from wmass

Must have been a used boiler. it has been a long time since H.B.Smith was blue jacketed. Are you sure the returns are not plugged?

Timco

I am goint to pull up the manual to check the age & recomended piping against what is in there, but why the adjustable traps? Can these be rebuilt like others? Do they indicate the type of 2-pipe system this is?

Tim

carter_3

hb smith

boiler looks to be gb-300 still made today and it is still blue

gerry gill

the only outboard trap

systems i've ever seen are all vapor..mouat, sta-rite, ideal, sterling, all had outboard trap systems like that one you pictured and all were vapor..we get our rebuild kits for them from barnes & jones..sometimes weve had to actually send them the trap body..but they would then make a cage assembly, give it a #, and send the body back with the order..very efficient service.

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Timco

After looking at the install manual, they want a F&T trap on the main (and a somewhat drop header using both tappings) draining back to a receiver tank. I am thinking that a tank would solve the problem of the wet return not having enough volume to satisfy the boiler during a call for heat. This is a large 50 unit complex, 4 levels. This install is just a joke, but I intend to take it on...with my first real drop header. What is the benefit of an outboard trap? I have never seen them. can it be switched to a more standard trap?

Tim

gerry gill

outboard traps are the same

as standard traps, just sideways..the therory as i understand it was they would last longer since they were harder to foul up with gunk in that position..you can replace them, but the standard traps do'nt line up with the piping usually..its better to rebuild them if for no other reason than avoiding any piping work.

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Timco

There are several vents up on the dry returns. 3 that I saw. Mestek already told me this morning that it needs 2 risers and a proper header. So the addition of a proper header, less pressure, and a heartford loop will make drier steam, and less water will be lost on a heat call? This is a huge building and my thought was the condensate is taking forever to get back to the room, and a tank would solve that. There is little wet return pipe, just a few feet of 2". Thanks, Tim

Steamhead (in transit)

Since

"there is little wet return pipe, just a few feet of 2" " if it's clogged, it will be a lot cheaper to replace than a boiler-feed tank and pump, pump controller, extra traps etc. Lower the pressure and it won't need nearly as much water per cycle. Also size your vents properly, this helps you run with less pressure.

Gravity-return rules!

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gerry gill

I've been staring at a close up of the trap,

and i think it says ''capitol brass works''.

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gerry gill

there is indeed

an outboard trap listed under ''capitol brass works'' at the barnes & jones web site.

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Charlie from wmass

guess it has been a while since I put in a large smith.

Steamhead (in transit)

One for you, Gerry

I don't think that manufacturer has appeared on The Wall before. They must have been located in Boston.....

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Unknown

I think Capital Brass Works was

originally located in Detroit. If memory serves me they where vintage the 1920's