New boiler tuning

fowlerde

Recently installed a new boiler into my two pipe system and have questions about the way it is acting. It replaced a 40 year old Bryant.
First it has water hammer early in its cycle the sounds like it is comming from the equalizer.
Second there is a large 9" x10" Dunham 220p air eliminator on the dry return above the boiler. When it vents air the water level drops in the sight glass, when it closes the water level returns to normal.
Third I noticed that my wet return (gravity) gets hot.
The radiators all work like before but the above was never observed with the old boiler.
Thanks for your help
DEF

BobC

Pictures of the boiler and the piping around it would help.

Bob

Jamie Hall

A couple of obvious questions...

Did the boiler get skimmed?

Is the Hartford Loop at the correct elevation?

Is the header properly pitched and connected to the equalizer?

Is the water line of the new boiler within an inch or two of the water line of the old boiler? And, if not, has anyone gone through the whole system to check that what is supposed to be wet is wet, and what is supposed to be dry is dry?

fowlerde

The boiler was skimmed twice. Will try and attach pictures I am new to the site so have patience. The plastic tube on the wet return drain is only there to show water level in the Hartford
Loop.
Thanks for your help!!!

DEF

KC_Jones

It's piped incorrectly. Could be a contributing factor to the wet steam issue you are having. The way it's piped the water won't effectively separate from the steam. Also if I am seeing it correctly those risers will put stress on the block as there are no swing joints, this could contribute to an early death of the boiler. your installer needs to fix that an at least pipe it to manufacturers spec.

fowlerde

KC attached is the Mfg. piping diagram. Where is my system wrong??

Thanks

KC_Jones

Ok I am assuming by the highlighting someone (possibly you) thought they identified everything in the diagram?
So in that diagram both boiler risers come up and have a 90° elbow at the top, as near as I can tell you don't have that. Those 90° elbows are important as they create a swing joint to allow for slight movement to not stress the cast iron boiler block. On yours on has a 90° elbow over to the other and then a tee, this is incorrect.

Next the header. The proper order on the header is (as shown in the manual) boiler riser, boiler riser, system takeoff(s) and then equalizer. It must be in this order no questions. Your "header" is system takeoff(s), boiler risers, then equalizer.

Hartford loop connection is to be a close nipple when using a tee. See in your manual "alternate hartford return connection. It specifically states a close nipple.

How was this boiler sized? I see enough wrong there that it would have me questioning everything. You have a vapor system so you should have a vaporstat control on that boiler, can't tell if you have that or a pressuretrol.

One other personal opinion, no way would I be using PVC or CPVC (not sure what you have) connected to the boiler for makeup water. That's just my opinion though.

gerry gill

yup, piped wrong. What kind of pressure controller is on it?

delta T

I don't see a skim port anywhere, doubtful it was properly skimmed, water looks pretty nasty too....

Steamhead

The Force boiler is a re-branded Crown. Here's a thread with pics of what the piping should look like:

http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/159317/this-weeks-steamer

fowlerde

Thanks to all for your help gonna try and get someone out next week to fix it. The plumber who did this is no longer in the area.

KC_Jones

Where are you located? We may know a good steam heat expert in your area. On steam you don't want anyone, you want someone who knows steam if possible.

So you just had it installed and the contractor is gone already?

fowlerde

I am in Allentown Pa.
Thanks

fowlerde

Allentown Pa is our location.

KC_Jones

PA seems to be a dead zone for good steam contractors. I live in south central PA. Not sure if anyone on here knows of anyone, but the find a contractor has nothing for steam.

To help people out what we have done in the past is this. Contact some contractors and tell them what you need, then ask them to send you pictures of previous steam boiler installs. Post them on here and we can tell you if they know what they are doing or not. That's the best I can think of at the moment.

EzzyT

@fowlerde send me a private message

fowlerde

Thanks.
There is a guy up in the poconos that has some pictures of his installs. Will send one along.

KC_Jones

I would PM EzzyT. He is one of the best, don't miss that opportunity.