Boiler life: Probe versys Mechanical LWCO

Steve Garson_2

Is there any evidence that a steam boiler life is extended with a probe type LWCO? It seems that since I need to add around a quart or two of water every week as part of the blow down of my mechanical LWCO, that using the probe type would eliminate the addition of oxygen laden water and extend my boiler life.



Or are we simply adding convenience?



Steve

Joe V_2

That is ...

...a good and legitimate argument to have a probe instead of mecanical LWCO.

Carbonic Acid corrodes so there's the evidence.  How long will it take is another question. I just replaced my 85 year old boiler that had a mechanical LWCO.  I didn't see any signs of corrosion or anything close to pin holes. 

My feeling is, if you do a good job maintaining/inspecting the boiler and don't mind blowing down the LWCO weekly, the boiler will outlast you. 

Steamhead

Probes are more reliable

every cracked steamer I've had to replace had a float-type cutoff. We only install boilers with probes now. 

Steve Garson_2

Do you have a preferred probe LWCO

Any preference in manufacturer? For a home boiler 120V

jpf321

fyi ... i've heard

the other night at Dan's Steam School...one of the gentlemen that seemed to know about such things mentioned that both are now required for NYC code .. and 1 of them must be manually reset.



additionally, i've heard that NYC now requires pigtails of brass not black .. and a separate pigtail for each pressure control device .. and i think that all pressure menorahs/antlers need to be brass rather than black ..



is there anyone here that's up on NYC code and where to find these updates? i've tried looking for boiler code requirements, but i didn't find these things at www.nyc.gov/dob



thanks

BRIANJ

Probe type cut offs

I just removed a Cycle Guard probe type LWCO because it was shutting down the boiler every 20 minutes to check the water level. Interrupted the steam cycle for a full minute. Long enough for steam to condense. Replaced with my old McDonnell Miller that works just fine. I don't mind checking the water level and the blow down helps get rid of any debris from the old returns.

Are there any probe type LWCO's that don't check the system and shut the boiler down every 20 minutes. Is there a probe that continuously monitors the water level?

Lastly, I would think the system electric is more likely 24V transformer that 120V.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

hootie26

LWCO prove vs mechanical

I've been plumbing since 1992, I've come across both. I prefer mechanical, although I blow mine down monthly. As mentioned earlier, if you maintain your boiler mechanical is better all things considered. With mechanical lwco boiler will not interrupt cycle unless water is truely low, with the probe you can and will get false low water sensing, most due to water boiling and its rapid/violent movement while boiling. Mechanical lwco are not so much affected by boiler operation such as the probe