Old mercury Prestol..there is a dial way back NOT attached to anything.should it be??

LS123

Hello,

for some reason, I felt like my PresTol is not working right... I put a new pig tail, waiting for new 3 PSI pressure gauge which will be tomorrow... pipes are all clean...

I tool the PresTol apart to clean and take out the gunk and oil on the bottom mount....

I notice way way back there is a dial like a hand of a clock, but not attached to anything.

Not sure if it should be? it can move toward both left and right... not sure when I used my compressor air gun to blow dust, it the dial came out of something it should be connected to. Picture below. Dial highlighted in red... also I notice one of the springs kind of bent
Thank you!
.

LS123

better picture attached

mattmia2

Was that glued to the arm with the mercury switch somewhere such that it acted as a pointer to show the current pressure when the cover was on?

JUGHNE

Are you referring to the hanging needle in the back on the right side?
That is the pendulum indicator for leveling. Works like a plumb bob. Line it up with the mark on the bottom of the case to be level....necessary to do with the HG switch.
The spring would be compressed/bent as it is cocked like the hammer on a gun waiting for the steam pressure to pull the trigger with pressure increase which will trip the bulb to the off position. IMO

Jamie Hall

This ^^^

LS123

@JUGHNE yes... that is what I was referring to. thank you SO very much... I was worried that I might have to spend another $150 to get a new one... just got some Gorton #2 main valves, sight glass replacement kits, etc.. for $300... its definitely worth it....
I love this site and the knowledge I have gathered is significant... @mattmia2 please see above JUHNE info about my original post

LS123

@Jamie Hall

JUGHNE

I would be careful with that glass bulb, not a lot holding it in place.
You cannot buy another new mercury bulb p-trol.

LS123

oh yes... I am... I dont want any mercury anywhere me... I am sure I eat enough mercury from sea food

mattmia2

That mercury switch will last another 70 years. Can you buy replacement diaphragms for those?

LS123

@ mattmia yes it will has a while not that I know its not broken... its been at this house for a long time, boiler has all original parts from the 1950 except the burner.. I love it.. give me something new to learn each day

LS123

@mattmia2 I do not know if new replacement parts available for old prestol like mine... perhaps one could search for used parts..

JUGHNE

Many here would trade a new P-trol for your old HG one.
If you feel endangered by mercury in your basement.....

As far as replacement parts for it, HW would disavow any acknowledgement of it's existence.

LS123

@JUGHNE , I meant that I did not want to damage it and get mercury on me ... I put the Ptol back on... put it to work... as per setting it flip to the other side.... cant wait for tomorrow to put the new main vents... what is HW stands for? highest bidder gets the old HG P-trol

JUGHNE

HW is for Honeywell....often referred to as Moneywell.....or has gained the saying of "Honeywell...you can buy better...but can't pay more".

LS123

LOL..