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Anything wrong?

John Mills_5
John Mills_5 Member Posts: 952
in Strictly Steam
Been in 17 years, block has opened up 3 times. Wonder why? BTW, anybody know the EDR of that cute little rad 20x8?

Comments

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,547
    No equalizer? Is it couterflow?
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • John Mills_5
    John Mills_5 Member Posts: 952
    No, just your garden variety 1 pipe steam.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,315
    That piping isn't acceptable counterflow or not.

    John, just by eye I'd guess 10-15 sqft.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    When you have no equalizer, then too much water is traveling out of the boiler, into the supplies, and thermally stressing the sections, even though the level may not get down enough to trigger the LWCO
    What’s the pressure set to?
    Have you enough main (not radiator) vents?
    Is the autofeed activating frequently, indicating a leak?—NBC
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    Anything right?
    Steve Minnich
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,380
    Obviously whoever installed that boiler didn't believe in wasting his time reading the manual.

    We had a similar situation with a Burnham Independence. We first got rid of it and put in a boiler that would last, and then found a host of minuscule leaks that were increasing the amount of make-up water needed.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,470
    Unfortunately the hacks are ruining steam systems faster than we can save them. We are outnumbered
    ethicalpaul
  • John Mills_5
    John Mills_5 Member Posts: 952
    He did a nice job of piping like he would a hot water boiler!

    Only 1 vent in the basement, he says sometimes steam comes out.
  • John Mills_5
    John Mills_5 Member Posts: 952
    Here's the vent they have.

    Doing the EDR, I come up with 239 sq ft out of 10 rads. I believe I multiply times 1.33 is it? The main is insulated, good old asbestos. So if 1.33 is right I'm at 318. W-M EG40 is 325. Scared to cut it too close, EG45 is 392. Current boiler is 175K or 454 sq ft. Suggest 40 or 45?

    Thanks
  • John Mills_5
    John Mills_5 Member Posts: 952
    Here's the vent.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,380
    edited July 2019
    No need to add the 1.33 pickup factor- it's already figured into the boiler square feet ratings. If you're using W-M, the EG-35 at 258 square feet should be plenty.

    Also, that vent looks like a vacuum-type Hoffman #76. It is possible for a vacuum vent to hold water up in the system piping, which would make it spit water.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • John Mills_5
    John Mills_5 Member Posts: 952
    Thanks Steamhead!

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