Installing WM EGH-85 Gas Stem Boiler - have riser piping questions

MikeMens

Hello,

This is a followup to an earlier post "Installing New WM EGH-85 Images of existing piping attached looking for comments if OK to keep as is" on 10/22 where several of you were a huge help with guidance on my piping planning.
I think i have a good plan, but have one question - I have 2 3" mains running to opposite ends of my house. My plan was to come off my 4" drop header with 2 3" risers to each main. My contractor said I might just come off the header with 1 riser to a Tee to feed both mains. Is this OK?

Also, I have attaches a pipe and fittings BOM. I am coming out of the black with 3" risers, into a 4" drop header, out of the header to the 2 3" mains and out of the end of the header to 1-1/2" equalizer and hartford loop to the wet return
Anything I missed?

Last, a good steam guy here has suggested that since this is a single pipe steam system, I put in a condensate reservoir & pump & associated controls to ensure the boiler doesn't run dry Is this a good idea? What would this entail, ie parts required to do i & the right nomenclature so I can get pricing and plan ahead?

Thanks again in advance for all your help

BobC

I'm just a homeowner but I would feed each steam main with it's own riser off your steam main, using a T to feed both mains can be real trouble. Make sure both the feeds to the mains are between the equalizer and the two boiler risers -



That drawing does not show a drop header but it does show the two boiler supply risers connecting to the header next to each other as they should be.

Is there a reason why a condenser receiver and pump might be necessary? Gravity returns are simple and very reliable.

Bob

MikeMens

Bob,
Thanks. re: condensate tank/pump - he expressed concern that the new boilers are very efficient and create steam so fast that the boiler water level could run low before the condensate has a chance to refill the boiler. Said its a standard practice for many of his installs.

BobC

Lets wait for some of the pro's to chime in, Did the old boiler have the receiver and pump?

Bob

MikeMens

no

Jamie Hall

I would come off the drop header with a separate riser for each steam main. I definitely would NOT take a single feed up and then a T to go into the two mains! Do it just as you are suggesting. A small amount of extra pipe and another fitting or two -- and you'll get much much better quality steam.

I would not put in a condensate reservoir and pump. They are a bl***y nuisance, and very rarely if ever needed on a home system, even very large two pipe systems.

Fred

Stay with your original plan and tie each main into the Header, individually and nix the condensate resevoir and pump. Just not necessary.

KC_Jones

It sounds like you have a couple of knuckleheads that don't know what they are doing. Stick to your plan and listen to the people on this site. You might also refer those people to this site for some MUCH needed education on steam. All those suggestions they are making are the sure signs they don't know what is going on. You make the plans and they can turn the pipe, stick to your guns on this one. And seriously don't add a tank. If it wasn't needed before it won't be needed now. It is a good way of spending money for no reason though.

nicholas bonham-carter

There are some plans in the W-M piping diagram for a condensate reservoir, but I would determine that it is really needed before adding that in. It is basically a 5 inch x3 ft. pipe at waterline height, and connected to the return. As the waterline would drop, it will give up some extra water to the boiler. There is also a connection to the equalizer to vent it to the steam side.
Skim as soon as you have finished the piping to reduce the possibility of surging water levels, which would cause some problems with dropping water levels.--NBC

vaporvac

And just so you're clear, a reservoir is not a condensate tank/pump. There is no pump with the reservoir. I'd make a plan for it, but not install it until you see if it's necessary. Follow @nicholas bonham-carter 's recommendation for skimming as surging can mislead you about your water level.

I have a much larger two-pipe system and have not found the need for a reservoir tank. I have gone off on LW at the beginning of a cycle after a deep set-back, but never on subsequent cycles. Even that hasn't been a problem as most rads are heated by that time. It's the rare system that would merit one. A tank with a pump is just a needless complication and maintenance issue.
Definitely take off each main separately as you plan. Otherwise how does the steam know which direction to go?
Caveat: I'm just a HO like yourself, but went through these same issues with my own install. Slantfin and the fine folks on this site helped get me through.