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> Who can you me help identify steam boiler external parts and their functions?..Please and thank U!

LS123
LS123 Member Posts: 466
Hello All!
I need your help to identify some things and their functions? I also have few other questions.
This is the Steam boiler that connects to all the cast iron radiators (this unit is about 70 years old, from 1950s, used to burn coal, and it has been converted to oil many, many moons ago)

(pic 1)

=======================================================================

(pic 2)

--> on the top of the boiler one pipe going to the radiators. But not sure what the circled in white closed one for? Is that one available to connect to another steam pipe?


(pic 3)

this is what is on the side of the electric unit

(pic 4)

---> What is cut out and cut in points mean on the electric unit? Is the deferential setting correct on it?

--> Marked in Red 1 is the electric unit, Marked 2 is a pressure gauge. What are these for and what do they do? , and why the pipe is looped ( referring to Pic 3)?


(pic 5)

--> What are these valves do, they are on the left side top?
(pic 6)


(pic 7)

--> Not sure what this is for? its on the top left back corner?


(pic 8)

--> I am not sure function of the unit marked 1 in red? Right now we have to add water to the boiler manually by opening and closing a valve, marked 2 in red. but this water feeding line is connected to some kind of return steam valve.


(pic 9)
This picture is here your info, its on the top right side...

Questions are.....

1) Is it possible to add a automatic water feeder to this old beast? I have attached the above picture (pic 9) to show that water has to stay at the limits indicated in the glass tube.

2) I heard things like lime could build up inside the water chamber that can cause issues in the long run. there is a water drain valve on the bottom of the boiler. how do I clean the inside of the water chamber? Should I have to clean it?

3) This steam boiler must be 70 years old, it was converted from coal to oil, what is the water chamber is made of? cast iron? What is the max temperature the water chamber can handle without being damaged?

I think that's all the questions I have for now....
Thank you all !!
\-LS123
Greetings @Jamie Hall , @STEAM DOCTOR , @Charlie from wmass , @EBEBRATT-Ed, @Steamhead










Thank you!
@LS123

Comments

  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    Picture number 7 the item labeled number one is an external tankless coil for domestic hot water production. Item number two is the water supply to the boiler. in the photograph the looped pipe is what we refer to as a pigtail and the electrical device is what we refer to as a pressuretrol. These boilers were often used for hot water as well as steam and the extra pipe sticking off the top of the boiler may have been for hot water use. The black item on the top of the boiler is your safety relief valve which is supposed to be checked and serviced once a year and obviously has never been touched since the boiler was installed. I am not a big fan of installing automatic feeds on boilers of this age but if you were to install one by hydrolevel that has a water meter it may let you know how much water your systems going through and allow you to make a quicker decision and I'm getting a replacement for this boiler. I hope that helps with your questions. 
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    LS123
  • LS123
    LS123 Member Posts: 466
    @""Charlie from wmass" thank you! I was wondering if you might know what is the water chamber is made of? is it cast Iron?
    Thank you!
    @LS123
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    The small valves in picture 5 are test and try cocks.
    If you open the top one you would get steam and open the bottom one would give you water.
    They are placed at the water line, as in the sight glass, and a manual way to check the reliability of the sight glass.
    IIWM, given the age of things, I might not try to open them as they may not reseal.

    How often do you have to add water?
    Water loss is not to be ignored.
    Do you have any water return lines under the floor?

    Also there does not appear to be any form of Low Water Cut Off control. That would be some device that has wiring to shut down the fire in the event of low water in the boiler......Important!!!
    LS123
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    The water chamber at the back of the boiler is made out of cast iron and there is a copper coil with in it for the domestic water. A low water cutoff would be very important but I very much feel that put aside an account and start saving money for a new boiler with an automatic feed instead of throwing a lot of good money at this old boiler.while we can do things to improve the efficiency of this boiler you're still heating up a huge mass every time you need to boil water which is how modern boilers use lots of fuel without having dramatically increased efficiency ratings. We can end up with a boiler that is 10% to 15% more efficient on the combustion efficiency and still gives a 50% reduction in fuel usage.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    LS123
  • LS123
    LS123 Member Posts: 466
    thank you @JUGHNE
    Q:How often do you have to add water?
    --> I check the water during winter at least once a week. Not very often. I add a little bit of water perhaps every two weeks.
    Do you have any water return lines under the floor?
    --> There are return lines about foot above ground that connects to the boiler.

    @Charlie from wmass ... I was planning to replace it this summer, but due to pandemic, I decided to wait out until next summer. yes, this boiler uses a lots of oil during winter. I am impressed by savings of fuel by 50% on a new boiler.

    Thank you both very much!
    Thank you!
    @LS123
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    What burner is on that boiler?

    Where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    LS123
  • LS123
    LS123 Member Posts: 466
    Good morning @Steamhead !

    one on the boiler is probably 20 years old, it is a brakette but has capability firing 0.5 gpm. we plan to get old one replaced with another unused one we found in the garage old owner left is carlin 100cd (this one also has the capability firing 0.5, and I hope its not so loud like the old one.

    *distance between the burner and water chamber on this steam boiler is about 2 feel. so it MUST use lots of fuel as it has been.
    I will send an email regarding my location.
    Thank you!




    Thank you!
    @LS123
This discussion has been closed.