Hartford loop configuration

STEAM DOCTOR

Good eve. Does it make a difference if the wet return connects to the bull of Hartford loop T and the connection to the boiler return is from the bottom of T or if the wet return connects to the bottom of the T and the connection to the boiler return is from the bull? Either way there is a loop that protects the boiler in case of leak in the wet return and either way there is pressure from the equalizer to hold water in boiler. Also the header should be able to drain either way. Any insight would be greatly appreciated

Steamhead

The wet return connection

should always be to the bull. The equalizer should always be a straight line thru the tee. I believe this is so there are as few bends in the equalizer as possible.

STEAM DOCTOR

after the fact

Thanks Frank. On my way home from boiler install I realized that I had the boiler return connected to the bull instead of the wet return. Would you think that it needs to be changed.The boiler is approx 165 mbtuh gross with a 3" header and 2" equalizer. Even though there are more turns then normal, the equalizer is also bigger then norm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steamhead

I'd change it

if for no other reason that if something ever goes wrong, and the piping isn't exactly as specified, they may not honor the warranty.

STEAM DOCTOR

Very tricky

This is the Slant Fin boiler that I mentioned in a previous post. The manual calls for 2.5" equalizer down to the Hartford loop. I emailed tech support asking them why they require such a large equalizer. They emailed me a diagram with a 2" equalizer instead of the 2.5". I put in the 2". Bottom line the boiler is not piped according to the manual anyway. I have a hard time understanding how damage could result from the boiler being piped the way I did it. If anything the water line might bounce around a bit. Please correct me if I am wrong.

P.S. There actually might be a benefit to the way I did it(even though that was not my intention, it was just a mistake). The benefit would be that there wouldn't be water hammer if a short nipple wasn't used. Again please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks!

STEAM DOCTOR

One more point

Sorry if I'm obsessed. I  am not sure how extra bends below the water line will negatively affect either the drainage or the pressure equalizing functions of the equalizer.Thanks again. I think I will equalize my head a bit and hit the sack. I hope that I don't have nightmares about equalizers with fangs and claws. Over and out 

Ron Jr._3

Wracked my brain on this one

For the life of me I can't think how the orientation of the HL tee would affect the operation . If it's piped 2 to 4 inches below the normal water level , I don't see an issue at all . As long as you immediately drop the pipe out of the tee to the ground to connect to the return pipe .  



I've piped some HLs just like yours a few times . Had one fail inspection for it though ........

Paul Fredricks_3

Same here.

But then I picture the live fire WM display and that water flying down the equalizer. If the equalizer went straight through to the house return piping it seems to me it could keep the water from returning to the house, just because it has to fight the water coming from above. If the house return goes into the bull head at least it has a fighting chance.



I had to pull up a piping diagram to wrap my head around this too. My apologies if I'm wrong. Fighting off a cold.