Didn't want you think I was lost

Charlie from wmass

How small can we go? I don't often use Utica boilers but this was a duplex and the other boiler is already a Utica PEG112. I installed Utica p e g 75 for the second floor boiler. The second floor actually has a larger Edr than the first floor, but I also did not install the first floor boiler.

Danny Scully

That return is in no mans land @Charlie from wmass

Charlie from wmass

you need a better ruler.

Steamhead

Nice. That snowman/Midco E20 was probably 40% efficient or so. they should save a lot!

Danny Scully

My by sight ruler is the best @Charlie from wmass! would this fall into your trombone header category?

Charlie from wmass

I've never installed the trombone heater is that for winter use? The far end of the dry return was dipped and rolled out from the wall because there will be a sewer pipe eventually run along that wall. When I do installations I try to be considerate of all the trades. Also all the main line venting for that section is kept at the end of the Maine 2 feet after the last radiator. I did that to minimize the temperature of the return pipe so that it will cost less problems with the plastic sewer pipe that will be along the same wall and in this configuration I minimize the amount of wet return to reduce the corrosion of the piping.

Danny Scully

Didn’t you coin the phrase trombone header?

Charlie from wmass

you said heater. A trombone header has a riser at the rear of the boiler higher than the front and makes a hundred and eighty degree Bend back to The Equalizer so that you can separate the supply pipes. This boiler because it's so small just uses one Riser up and over to the supplies and drops to the return and The Equalizer.

John Mills_5

Amazing how some boiler owners keep their suckers forever. Sure don't see 70 year old gas furnaces around here.

New England SteamWorks

Because you're good, knowledgeable, and well respected, what made you really decide to go with a Utica? Surprises me a little given their reputation for steam.

nicholas bonham-carter

And with apparently only one riser?
No tilting water level fears I see.—NBC

Steamhead

We've used those little Uticas as well- Columbia re-brands them. The little 75 and 112 models don't require two risers according to the manual, and in those small sizes the steam velocity is low enough that it doesn't cause problems. They work well in little rowhouses.

Oh, and @Charlie from wmass - if you're in a boiler room, you aren't "lost".

Charlie from wmass

Thanks @Steamhead . @New England SteamWorks the boiler matters little. The installation determines the life of the boiler. @nicholas bonham-carter the jacket of the boiler is 10 and 7/8 in wide I'm not worried about a tilted water line. The boiler 75000 BTU input. The steam velocity is quite low. Using too large of a header or multiple risers where they are not required increase system volume therefore increasing Air volume that needs to be vented during a heating cycle. Sometimes people do too much and it doesn't do anybody a service to add extra cost and time to a job with no appreciable gain in efficiency or comfort. I was taught that a journeyman tradesperson meets or exceeds the code on every installation and a master tradesperson does it with the minimal amount of fittings and time.

Danny Scully

Agreed @Charlie from wmass

The Steam Whisperer

I agree Charlie. Using multiple 3 inch risers on little 150,000 btu boilers doesn't make sense. A single 3 inch riser can handle up to 200,000 btu/hr input without the velocity getting high enough for water to carry over. Some time ago I posted the question whether headers were even needed on small models of boilers with large 3 inch supply tappings. A little 112,000 input Peerless 63 would probably do quite will without a header and using a large 3 inch riser up a couple feet. However, that middle height return line (in no mans land) could be a problem. As the boiler pressure builds and the pressure drop increases between the boiler and the end of the main, the water may stack up into that return and the anvil chorus will be in full swing when the water meets the steam.

Charlie from wmass

195 square feet of steam feeding a 178 square feet of steam. When will there be pressure? Also 15 inches from water line to bottom of return before it turns vertical.

Charlie from wmass

@The Steam Whisperer I also have my main vent at the end of the supply not the end of the return. So steam is not as aggressively hitting the return water if it backs up a little.