Can I skim through pressuretrol port?

HarryL

The installer didn't add a skim port on my Burnham Independence so I've never skimmed it and I doubt the it was done during install. Burnham does a great disservice to homeowners by not providing a nipple and leaving the skim port open. As shipped, the skim port appears to be optional. I've seen another post where the installer didn't pipe the skim port on these boilers.

Okay, so my rant is over, now my question. Is it worth trying to skim through the 1/4" port used by the pressuretrol. I need to remove the pressuretrol and clean out the pigtail as that hasn't been done and I think the pressuretrol isn't responding correctly. I'm also going to install a low pressure gauge to check the current pressuretrol before I likely replace it with a vaporstat. So, my thought is I would remove the pigtail and install an 8" nipple and skim before I replace the pigtail. This lets me put off until next spring to mess with getting the 1" plug out, which is not terribly accessible. Or, is 1/4" port too small to effectively skim this boiler?

Thanks,
Harry

KC_Jones

1/4" is going to be too small. You need as large of a port as you can to skim. You can try it, but don't be surprised if it doesn't do much if anything. The manufacturer shows a skim port and it's up to the installer to be knowledgeable enough to hook it up. Which is the problem with steam, not enough knowledgeable people working on them. Bad install is a bad installer not a bad boiler. How old is the boiler?

DanHolohan

There was a thread a few weeks back where the guy was trying to skim through the gauge-glass port. That, as expected, also proved to be too small and a major source of frustration.

Waterbury Steam

That guy was me. It didn't work. Don't waste your time trying--just get a proper skim port installed.

DanHolohan

Thanks.

HarryL

Thanks @KC_Jones I figured that would be the answer. I didn't come across the other posts of failed attempts in my search. Time to dig out the breaker bar and PB Blaster.

Mark N

The boiler tapping for the pressuretrol on a Burnham Independence is 3/4". Remove the elbow for the pressuretrol and install a tee. Skim real slow it will work.

HarryL

Thanks @Mark N! I didn't look / read closely enough to see that the pigtail is coming off of a bushing.

Mark N

The skim port is preferable as it 1 1/4". But the other will work in a pinch. Like i said skim real slow, just a trickle.

Fred

I have a Burnham also. I skim through the side mounted Pressure Relief Valve tapping which is 3/4". I put a Tee on it so it is always available when needed. Works fine as long as you skim very slowly.

DanHolohan

Careful, Fred. That relief valve has to be right in the boiler.

Fred

It was mounted upright on an elbow. I just replaced the elbow with a Tee

HarryL

@Fred, I went merrily to the basement and pulled out my socket set, PB Blaster, and breaker bar to take out the bushing you mentioned, only to discover that the boiler jacket was tight against one side of the bushing. Looks like a bigger job to put off until I get more time. I also have the knock out popped off for L. Being a bigger tapping I suspect it will be much harder to get out so I think I'll try adjusting the jacket to get at the pressurtrol tapping as you suggested.

j a_2

theres more than one way to SKIM a cat