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Safe water level????

Roebling
Roebling Member Posts: 7
in Strictly Steam
What is the safe water level reading for a oil boiler? I have a glass tube that shows the water level bouncing around midway up the tube. Is this safe?

Comments

  • jpf321
    jpf321 Member Posts: 1,568
    midway is fine...

    low water cut off's usually trip at less than 1/4 way. if you don't see any water, I would be VERY worried.
    1-pipe Homeowner - Queens, NYC

    NEW: SlantFin Intrepid TR-30 + Tankless + Riello 40-F5 @ 0.85gph | OLD: Fitzgibbons 402 boiler + Beckett "SR" Oil Gun @ 1.75gph

    installed: 0-20oz/si gauge | vaporstat | hour-meter | gortons on all rads | 1pc G#2 + 1pc G#1 on each of 2 mains

    Connected EDR load: 371 sf venting load: 2.95cfm vent capacity: 4.62cfm
    my NEW system pics | my OLD system pics
  • Roebling
    Roebling Member Posts: 7
    safe water level

    ok, my roommate was saying that you need to be concerned about the water level in the gauge when the boiler is not burning. And when it is burning, it is normal to see it dip under halfway in the gauge because the water is up in the system as steam, is this right?



    Such an amateur question I know, but I need to understand this critical stuff. Thanks!!
  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
    Design Water Level

    Hi - As JPF  mentioned, having the water halfway up the sight glass tube when the boiler isn't running, is "in the ball park". You can find the measurement (up from the boiler's base) for the designed waterline in the Boiler's I&O manual (Installation & Operation). If you don't have the manual, let us know the make and model numbers of your boiler (They're on the manufacturer's plate attached to the boiler) and we may be able to find you a copy.

    You might also be interested in  getting a very good book on steam heating available on this site. It's called "We Got Steam Heat!"

    http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence

    It's written for the homeowner and is easy, humorous reading and after a few nights of reading you'll be light years ahead in your knowledge about residential steam heating and it's operation. This book has actually saved me at least 100 times valve since I got it.

    - Rod
  • Roebling
    Roebling Member Posts: 7
    safe water level

    Thank you guys for taking the time to give good answers, much appreciated! Rod, I am one step ahead as I actually ordered all 3 books in the "steaming good deal", so I am eagerly anticipating their arrival. When I get home tonight, I will look up the make and model number of my OLD boiler, which appears to be from the 70s. That would be excellent if anyone has the manual.

    I am a new homeowner in a 100 yr old house, so this website seams to be just what I need!
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