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Steady Water-Level Contest

JStar
JStar Member Posts: 2,752
in Strictly Steam
I propose an informal contest for the remainder of the winter. Who can get the steadiest sight glass level on a steam boiler on a new install. Here's my first entry. Sorry for the sideways video.



SMITH 8S3 with Carlin power burner firing at 120,000 input.

Double 2" risers. 3" drop header. One 2" main.



<a href="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DYNzAYjd5K8">http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DYNzAYjd5K8</a>

Comments

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,231
    Difficulty

    Jstar, had trouble watching your video on a PC, but it seems this link will work.

    http://youtu.be/DYNzAYjd5K8





    This is the only video I have of mine right now, I will have to do another.  I think I took this the first week I fired up the boiler so I had a lot of skimming ahead.



    https://www.facebook.com/v/10150510866966253





    Sorry for the low quality facebook video.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,231
    Wow

    I can't believe no one else has posted. I was hoping to see someone post who has a........ now I can't remember it.



    Its a variant of the hartford loop that is said to produce really steady water lines.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Gifford Loop?

    I'd lke to learn more about these myself...
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,231
    Gifford loop

    Thats the one!
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Water

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6GovyXSRg2M
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    edited January 2013
    Wow

    Has anyone here used this?And, if it is all it claims to be, why wouldn't everyone use it? https://78462f86-a-1c056b1f-s-sites.googlegroups.com/a/energysavingscience.com/www/articles/henrysarticles/HPACGiffordLoop.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7crY_BRyOtz4MqZyfPfWph5UCrrUSMSEPQ6t79jw-9431pCs2IeKpsKL7kaFn1EhDy-dSZbsngtlM0hcXlFzHdFktfwfbAlkghw15ebMbntNtzan_1R216CG0NlRDq5y-t1PfEoy8k_EQs6Dw-Q-VnHXbe9mcfzdN8BXn3vXVd3CXjOlhRMAX_eP3utYL-JJxKvoapUokYGGfLgomzqrjaSSIeEmDjA9EnWBCPGqtfVunSO_Pw9N75MwJ4GU_On3xhkPITgj&attredirects=0
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    I would, but...

    Mine's not a new install, so it doesn't count.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,231
    Hmmm

    I didn't realize thats all a Gifford loop was, was raising the connection. Though what i don't get is I thought having that above the water line risks water hammer?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    drips

    Connecting drips above the water line risks that, but there's no way this puts the condensate in contact with live steam.
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Water line

    I'm reviving this contest.



    http://youtu.be/C1NJ0oDRsss



    Smith 8S4 with Carlin Ez Gas. 4" drop header. Two 2" mains.



    We installed a Gifford loop on the VECO job. The only quirk was needing the water feeder to kick in for a few gallons as the system steamed up. Water levels rock steady on both boilers.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,231
    edited October 2013
    Header

    Is this the unit that is sporting a 5" header?  If so I call cheating. :)

    You're making me want to rip out my Hartford loop and replace it with a Gifford loop.



    Mine has never been near that steady.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Water level

    The 5" header wasn't mine. It sure did look good, though!



    The Gifford Loop was partially by accident. The new boiler water lines were about 10" lower than the old boiler. We kept the Loop connection and changed the name from Hartford to Gifford. I've found that with proper near-boiler piping, the Loop makes a very small difference in the water level.
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    Gifford Loop

    The purpose of the Gifford loop is to prevent cyclic fluctuation of the water line, where the condensate returns so slowly that a low water condition may occur mid-cycle but adding make-up water results in flooding once the system drains. It doesn't reduce bumping or surging in the boiler.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • gcp13
    gcp13 Member Posts: 122
    edited October 2013
    1st day 5in header

    First day 5 inch header

    Replaced both warren Webster trap cages above watchman

    & fired up

    Skimmed for 2 hrs.

    Building heated up within 10 min.

    Not bad. Still needs more cleaning after running a while



    http://youtu.be/YHoV2ts0X3A
This discussion has been closed.

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