christmas present to myself....

jpf321

lookie at what Santa brought me ..a new glass pipe...



<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jpf321/Fitzgibbons400Boiler?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOPnfifvI7MNA#5420442675709015426"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_JuuICk78iPs/SzlH5RMA9YI/AAAAAAADLfQ/h6NI3OPkOJ0/s128/IMG_9215.JPG" /></a>



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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jpf321/Fitzgibbons400Boiler?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOPnfifvI7MNA#5420443237162828002"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_JuuICk78iPs/SzlIZ8xCQOI/AAAAAAADLfw/Fo8bwqHHYOs/s128/IMG_9218.JPG" /></a>



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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jpf321/Fitzgibbons400Boiler?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOPnfifvI7MNA#5420443621030542386"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JuuICk78iPs/SzlIwSyOvDI/AAAAAAADLgI/HprjEewMJes/s128/IMG_9221.JPG" /></a>



<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jpf321/Fitzgibbons400Boiler?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOPnfifvI7MNA#5420443808347981890"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_JuuICk78iPs/SzlI7MmMCEI/AAAAAAADLgQ/Ssm-CQNCPX4/s128/IMG_9222.JPG" /></a>

gerry gill

why?

?

jpf321

mainly...

mainly for educational reasons .. so that I can learn about what's going on in my wet return .. i can watch hot water enter (by seeing the convective currents in the pipe) .. i can assess the flow rate... i can see flecks of dirt drop out and settle...it helps learn whether the muddy water in the boiler mug leg is from the boiler or from the rest of the system.



since my system and returns are old, it helps me to understand the state of the pipes.



additionally, i do intend to install magnets .. i figured that if i put a magnet on an iron pipe, i'd magnetize a larger of the pipe than with glass .. i may also permanently magnetize a section of iron... these problems are avoided with glass .. as well, i will be able to see when i have captured a big clump of gunk and will be able to flush it.



lastly, i did want to install the return flush valves and iso gate .. so this gave me an opportunity and motivation to perform those upgrades.

Matthew Grallert

Why?

Besides it's really cool:-)

Johnny13

Cool!

I get the reason for the magnet, but how are you going to deal with the collected material? Will you have to take it all apart?

Mark N

Glass Pipe

I can't wait to see the one he installs on the sewer pipe. All kidding aside, I wouldn't put any more money into that boiler. I would save up to replace it. A proper sized boiler for his system would burn 1.05 gal /hr, not 1.75. That .7gals of heating oil per hour of run time. He has installed an hour meter on this boiler just do the math.



Mark

DavidK_2

I bought a meat grinder

for myself. I'm going to go make sausage

David Nadle

Laws, sausage, and sludge...

...it's better to not see them being made. Or so they say.

jpf321

magnet cleanout...

with the flush drain I will perform a normal return flush .. taking the glass out as needed is a 5min job .. the fittings are stainless steel rubber gasketed compression onto bare end pipe .. simply loosen them up and slide it down to the left

jpf321

completely agreed

since I only took ownership this past summer .. and we had other more pressing "move-in" expenses .. i had to table the boiler replacement this season .. i did have 2 "knuckleheads" through in the early fall to give estimates .. that was all before I found "the wall" .. i'm glad I waited since I am now much more prepared for anyone else that comes through.



i certainly don't like the idea of an oversized and hungry system, but it is what it is right now.



i don't think any of the improvements (or curiosities) will be thrown in the trash when the new boiler arrives...so I don't think of it as wasted money .. money has been spent on vaporstat, low pressure gauge, hour meter, glass pipe, main and rad vents, insulation (although I got the wrong size), Dan's books .. none of which I feel is wasted money...and may even be contributing to $$ savings this year.



i do appreciate the comments, i hope you appreciate my interest in becoming educated and informed in "the art" ... even if some things are deemed as unnecessary or superfluous...if they help me to better understand.. i feel that is valuable.

Mark N

Replace Boiler

I know all about putting off replacing the boiler. I waited 20 yrs. For most of that time oil was under a $1 a gallon. I switched to gas. I wanted the tank out of my basement. My boiler was truly ancient. It was a Weil-McLain K-167. It had no hartford loop and no lwco. I have no idea what sized nozzle was in it but no doubt it was oversized. I never had any trouble with old boiler andnever paid much attention to it. Just flushed and added water as needed.



Mark

DavidK_2

If you make your own

you know how they are made

jpf321

magnets on return update

in case any of you were being kept up at night waiting for an update on the magnets on my return pipe .. here are some pics from today ..