Pressuretrol at water line?

New2Steam

Hello, bought an old house with equally old steam boiler and this will be second winter coming up.  Last year replaced a pressuretrol that wouldn't cut off before 10# with the same PA404A model which then worked fine for last season running between 0.5/1.5#.  However, as I'm testing for this winter the new pressuretrol now isn't cutting out before 5# still set at 0.5/1.5.  The previous owner had mounted the pressuretrol on a pigtail coming up from the LWCO, but the sight glass shows the standing water level about even with the bottom of the pressuretrol.  Could water have entered and damaged the pressuretrol?  Should I use a pipe to extend the pressuretrol higher above the water line (by how much?), replace it (maybe vaporstat) and/or move it off the LWCO and use it with a tee alongside the higher-up located 30# gauge?

Jamie Hall

Quite possible

that water has damaged the pressuretrol.  Or their may be other issues with it.  If it were mine, I'd put it on a T with the 30# gauge (which is on a pigtail, I hope, brass?).  You have to keep that 30# gauge, by the way -- but I'm sure you knew that.

First thing I'd do is move it to a T with the gauge and see if it worked right.  If not, I'd invest the bucks and get a vaporstat.

Steamhead

Is there any other place

to mount the Pressuretrol? Mounting it on that #67 LWCO is not the best, since dirt will get into the pigtail and clog it.



If you're not sure, maybe it's time to have a Steam Man take a look. Try the Find a Professional page of this site.