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Steam boiler in NYC

sixtog
sixtog Member Posts: 10
in Strictly Steam
hi guys, my first time posting on this forum. I'm hoping someone will be able to help me out! I do most of my plumbing in NYhC and DOB is requiring a secondary low water cut off. The problem is that my secondary low water cut off is going off on safety before the primary. I spoke to another plumber and he is having the same problem. His solution was to disconnect the secondary low water cut off. I don't think this is the right approach, so I'm wondering what you guys think may be the cause. Check out the picture, the secondary low water cut off is below the primary by a few inches. I don't want to put anything below that point because I'm afraid of dirt clogging the probe. 

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,385
    Dirty boiler water can cause this. Also, next time use a boiler that has a secondary LWCO tapping right in the boiler. That looks like a Slant/Fin Galaxy, which does not have such a tapping.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,384
    I’m not liking the location selected for the second LWCO. It should be in the boiler, not on the near boiler piping. That location looks like it should bre below the water line but sometimes there is air in the equalizer below the Hartford loop when the boiler is steaming.

    If there is no other location available on the boiler, you may need to put the operating LWCO where the skim tapping is located (you can use a tee fitting to keep the skim port available)

    Then put the manual reset LWCO where the current one is now.

    If there is another location it’s will be in the I/O manual. What is the make and model number?.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,854
    edited January 2021
    what would happen if the primary is moved up to a tee where the skim port is ?
    (skim pipe to the right off the tee)
    known to beat dead horses
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,384
    edited January 2021
    I like to use a mechanical and an electronic whenever two are required. The M&M 67 is a good choice for that boiler. But I’m not sure which of the two in that combination is the lower one. I never used that boiler for a steamer. I would also use a larger valve (not a 3/4” boiler drain) as a blow-down valve on the return

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,859
    To all of which, allow me to add -- your plumber buddy's idea of just bypassing the secondary LWCO is a serious building code and insurance violation. Something happens to that boiler -- or the building it's in -- I hope he is a very wealthy man.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • sixtog
    sixtog Member Posts: 10
    Steam head your are right the boiler is a slant fin / galaxy.  But is a new boiler so the water is clean . I thought the same thing after the boiler start it making steam some how a packet of air comes through the hartford loop.  Thank you so much for the suggestion Ed 
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,479
    @sixtog

    Just because the boiler is new doesn't make the water clean. Looks like you piped the skim tapping so I assume you skimmed it.

    I would yo use a MM #67 on the gauge glass with a manual reset switch on it. And keep the boiler water line 1/2 way up the glass

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