Adjusting Cut-In

Pat_M

Couple of questions:



1 - Can I adjust the cut-in and cut-out while the boiler is hot/running? (Can I open the pressuretrol to get at the cut-out while the boiler is hot/running?)



2 - I can't seem to move the cut-in lever. Should I simply be able to push it down? Couldn't do it with my finger. Couldn't do it with a flathead screwdriver. Don't want to risk breaking it. Tips/thoughts? (It's only a couple years old -- not rusted or anything.)



Thanks!

jpf321

keep in mind

keep in mind that there is 120VAC running through your pressuretrol .. poking around inside with the power turned on is cautioned ..



you should be able to turn the screw on the top with a screwdriver without opening the unit (and this should be safer than poking around live voltage) it the screw impossible to turn or does it turn with no results?



post a picture so that people understand exactly which pressuretrol you are using .. and do tell us, or show us in picture, where the cut-in/cut-out levels are set right now.

Pat_M

Adjusting Cut-In

Thanks jpf321. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be turning the screw or pushing the lever down. It's a Honeywell, currently set at about 8 PSI! I know - way too high. I'm learning! Haven't opened it to look at cut-out yet.



So, are you saying that I should NOT open it up while it's powered on?

jpf321

i'm saying

i'm saying that there is live voltage running through the pressure control ..



i would recommend shutting off your circuit breaker or emergency off switch when you open the box and start poking around...it should only take you 1-3minutes of power-down to get in and get out.

Pat_M

done - thanks

Cut-in easily adjusted down to .5. Opened pressuretrol and cut-out (or diff) was set at 1. We'll see how it impacts my bills.



PS - how critical is it that the pigtail is set up as Dan's book describes. Page 125 of "We Got Steam Heat" says: "When you're looking at the front of the control you shouldn't be able to see the 'hole in the donut'. If you can see the hole, turn the pigtail 90 degrees so that you can't."



Thanks again!

jpf321

pigtail

pigtail depends on whether you have mercury or microswitch .. mercury is more important to have the correct orientation, microswitch much less so.