Steady Water-Level Contest

JStar

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>

ChrisJ

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.

ChrisJ

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.

SWEI

Gifford Loop?

I'd lke to learn more about these myself...

ChrisJ

Gifford loop

Thats the one!

JStar

Water

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6GovyXSRg2M

Paul48

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

I would, but...

Mine's not a new install, so it doesn't count.

ChrisJ

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?

Paul48

drips

Connecting drips above the water line risks that, but there's no way this puts the condensate in contact with live steam.

JStar

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

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.

JStar

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

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.

gcp13

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