New Independence Gas-Fired Steam Boiler - Not Working! HELP!!

Gordo

The big greenish square unit is a device from the coal-fired vapor era and it's job was to insure the condensate water returning back from the radiators got back into the boiler if the pressure got too high (greater than 1 psi usually).

It can be thought of as a steam-powered water pump. Coal fired boilers could be a bit tricky to hold at low pressures-or so I am told.

No water should be in that sight glass unless the returning water stacked up into the device due to extreme (extreme for vapor systems, that is) system pressure, or due to 80+ years of sludge, or to a sticking check valve.

Do you see a name on the device in question or on any radiator traps? Could you post pictures of any visible radiators?

Gordo

We've seen worse piping jobs, but a beautiful, rare vapor system deserves much better than the minimum piping.

It also deserves a properly sized boiler as others have said.

With proper venting, clean boiler water and "vapor quality" near boiler piping, your system will provide you with the best heating in the world.

nicholas bonham-carter

I would suggest as this post matures, that you move it to "strictly steam", for even more eyes on the various problems associated with your system. Even though your boiler is gas-fired, and heats the house, this part of the forum is usually for forced air heating questions.
I would also be concerned about the rust on the flue pipe which I can see next to the green box. You do not want that to be leaking any Carbon Monoxide!--NBC

KC_Jones

I think that pipe is the one running to the fan in a can for makeup air. I am thinking the rust is from the vent that I am guessing is failed due to all the corrosion in that area. Again more things the contractor should have noticed. Of course when your head is inserted in an orifice in your body it tends to make it hard to see even the light of day. I would be curious how they terminated that intake on the outside of the house...

icesailor

Gordo said:

The big greenish square unit is a device from the coal-fired vapor era and it's job was to insure the condensate water returning back from the radiators got back into the boiler if the pressure got too high (greater than 1 psi usually).

It can be thought of as a steam-powered water pump. Coal fired boilers could be a bit tricky to hold at low pressures-or so I am told.

No water should be in that sight glass unless the returning water stacked up into the device due to extreme (extreme for vapor systems, that is) system pressure, or due to 80+ years of sludge, or to a sticking check valve.

Do you see a name on the device in question or on any radiator traps? Could you post pictures of any visible radiators?

Thanks for the info. When I figured out the piping when I saw the front of it, I figured out it was some sort of water trap. It doesn't take a lot of air pressure to hold back water. Like in a air fire sprinkler system.

Those old dead Steamheads could really imagine how to make the steam run around in their heads. Really cool.

Charlie from wmass

The hoffman boiler trap was not even piped right when it was installed by the deadman way back when. Has anyone checked the cross over traps? Oversized, small pipes, and the rest would not stop it from heating the building. It would make it a fuel hog, and noisey. You need to get the air out. Have the radiator traps ever been serviced?

DM2015

Some updates from today:

Some good news: I have determined that they actually installed an IN6 (although they wrote and charged me for an IN7). So, while IN5 might be better, IN6 seems ok. I also asked them to turn down the gas input by about 10%. And the install price is being corrected for the difference.

A 3-hour skim was done today. The short-cycling has stopped, at least for today, and heat is running. More skim planned for Friday.

Based on your feedback, the vent was changed, to a much larger, orange colored vent.

The green item is a Hoffman specialty trap. Based on its high location, it's likely from a much earlier boiler; and Charlie suggests it's redundant and should be removed or plugged to avoid cross-over of steam.

I need to check the radiator traps (not serviced recently to my knowledge; we moved in one year go) and the cross-over trap.

What tremendous help from everyone!

KC_Jones

Are you going to have any of the piping changed?

Fred

Get that piping corrected as has been recommended here. You are paying for a new install, it should be done right, especially with a Vacuum system. You've gotten a lot of good advice here, don't ignore it.
The next time we hear from you, let it be because you are offering another Poster advice/guidence, not because your system is misbehaving due to incorrect near boiler piping.

vaporvac

You should just plug the Hoffman Specialty Trap. It's a shame when these original elements are removed. It's such a cool thing to contemplate all the thought that went into designing the original system and is there for a future owner to admire.

vaporvac

Also did they install a vacuum vent? If not, you'll lose the ability to have your system function as designed ie. in a vacuum! all that complicated piping was meant to let your system fall into one and stay there. Please report back about the near-boiler piping. It's crucial. I'm glad to hear the installers seem to be stepping up to the plate with their mistakes. Looking forward to some pictures.

Steamhead

DM2015 said:

4. What is the additional greenish square unit? Below is a close-up photo of this square green unit above the boiler, that is up high next to the round vent. The gauge glass on the side of this unit is totally empty, and does not fill when the boiler is running. The installer did not seem to know what this unit was for. What is it? Should it have water in it?

That's a Boiler Return Trap. It is basically a steam-pressure-powered pump that can force condensate back to the boiler if the boiler pressure gets too high for it to return by gravity.

I don't think that's a Trane, though- is there a name on it?

Dave0176

Didnt see a second page lol.