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MegaSteam Install - updated with final photo

Clance
Clance Member Posts: 53
edited January 2021 in Strictly Steam
I have changed the title of this from "Install Day 1" and updated this discussion to include the finished installed photos further down.
Hi Everyone.
I have had a few different discussions going on here lately and so many have offered their wisdoms to help me learn. Thanks to @EBEBRATT-Ed @ethicalpaul @Youngplumber @Jamie Hall @clammy @AdmiralYoda @kenlmad @GW @JUGHNE and others.

My installer showed up 1st thing this morning and went right to work building the new Burnham MST288 - so I thought I would share a few pics of Day 1 progress. Will post the final install tomorrow.




mattmia2LS123EdTheHeaterManluketheplumber

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,695
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:

    No wet steam their that's for sure. looking good

    Just hope they don't have @ethicalpaul's inspector.
    ethicalpaulEdTheHeaterManluketheplumberCanucker
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,248
    There used to be a thing in the ASME code about the gauge glass tappings going straight into the gauge glass with no elbows, tees, or crosses etc
    LS123EdTheHeaterMan
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,287
    A 2" header for three system takeoffs? Are we sure this is ok?
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2021
    @JohnNY
    Interestingly I started a discussion about the header a couple days ago... though didn't mention there were 3 take-offs...
    Similar to the advantage of 2 risers over 1 thus cutting the velocity out of the boiler in half, wouldn't the 3 vertical 2" takeoffs from the header serve to slow the velocity coming out of the header, before it enter the horizontal mains??

    Here's the link to the thread, and check out the video in it posted by @ethicalpaul
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/182910/header-size-velocity-question#latest
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,437
    That looks like @New England SteamWorks work if I ever saw it. Don’t think there is any question he did the velocity math @JohnNY. I believe that’s the MST288, in which case 2” is sufficient. 
    ethicalpaulClanceNew England SteamWorks
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,287
    Sounds good. FWIW I haven't read anything about this installation. To me, three 2" takeoffs suggests a higher EDR load than a 2" header should be able to handle. All good. Carry on. I'm gonna eat my Chinese food.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    ethicalpaulluketheplumber
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,810
    edited January 2021
    Looks beautiful 
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
    Clance
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,372
    I'm sure it must be out of the ordinary for such a small boiler to have 3 main takeoffs and from what I remember of the main layout drawings that I saw, this is a pretty out of the ordinary situation :)

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    @ethicalpaul
    The existing had a 90 T out the side of the riser above the header and there was bull T at the top with
    1 1/2" pipe to the left and to the right. Hence 3 risers on the new MST288.
    Total EDR of radiators is only 233 sq ft
    ethicalpaul
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,130
    So, OverKill is the word of the day. Nothing wrong with that... Larger pipe = less velocity. Probably could have used 1-1/2" risers and valves but if the money is there, 2" won't hurt.

    BTW Nice looking job so far. Interesting that the boiler is getting piped and ready while the existing one is still in operation, Not always an option to make a quick switch on the same day of decommissioning the old and commissioning the new.

    Yours truly.
    Mr.Ed

    Edward Young Retired

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

    luketheplumberClanceJohnNY
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,248
    How many take offs from the header doesn't matter a bit. It's a small boiler sized for the connected radiation. No matter how many take offs the load going out through the steam mains remains the same.

    Now, what does Every boiler mfg put in their instructions? "systems with unusual design or extensive piping" etc etc or words to that effect. Consult with the MFG. It may be a case of upping the pick up factor a snitch for extra supply piping
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,559
    That's nice!!!
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
    mattmia2Clance
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,378
    That work looks beautiful!

    BTW, I’ve got the perfect home for that five panel door I see in the background. I’ll try to swing by later.  :D:D:D
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,248
    Very nice
    systex
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    Thanks guys.
    @PC7060 - don't know where you are but if you're in the Boston area you are welcome to have a door - I think I have 8 of the down there in various sizes would be happy to put to better use! That's a sincere offer if you want...
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,378
    @Clance - I’m in Virginia so a bit too far to drive up.  I am bummed out to miss the opportunity!!  Maybe someone in your area will read this thread and give them a good home.  
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,810
    That MC to the feeder. Who wired it? 

    Piping is a thing of beauty!
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
    mattmia2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    So, what was in there before?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2021
    @Steamhead - heres a pic of what was there before. What wasn't there before is vents - not one on the system anywhere...

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    The MegaSteam is a much better boiler than that V8 ever was. But, I'm curious as to why you went from an indirect tank to a tankless coil.....................
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2021
    @steamhead
    The Installer suggested it. Small apartment with single tenant. I've never had a coil so it's be interesting to hear how it performs for her. My boiler is going in on the 10th, also a Mega Steam MST 288 and I'm staying with my gas hot water.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,695
    is there any point at all in the "equalizer" the way it was piped in the old system?
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    @mattmia2
    The new MegaSteam is the 3rd boiler since the old converted coal boiler came out around 1980.  The equalizer, wet returns, and Hartford loop are original to the coal boiler... crazy that no one re-piped it before now.  That’s why I’m psyched to have somebody that knows a lot about steam come do the installs.  Everything painted  silver in the picture is original.
  • AdmiralYoda
    AdmiralYoda Member Posts: 666
    ....taking notes for when I attempt my boiler re-pipe in the spring. And I sooooooo wish Burnham made the Megasteam gas fired or at least approved a gas conversion kit.
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2021
    I spent the day insulating - 1 1/2" on the steam and 1' on the returns. What ever you guys charge, it should be more :) It wasn't as fun as I though it would be.
    Here's a couple pics... need to wait to do the rest until the 2nd boiler gets installed.








  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,784
    you see what that bucket says,
    me too,
    nice job
    known to beat dead horses
    Clance
  • AdmiralYoda
    AdmiralYoda Member Posts: 666
    looks great, would you mind sharing where you got your insulation? Looks like good stuff.
  • Clance
    Clance Member Posts: 53
    @AdmiralYoda
    I ordered it online from buyinsulationproducts.com.  Reasonably priced, much cheaper than Grainger and they had everything in stock.  Ordered on a Sunday, Shipped from NJ on Monday, received it on Wednesday.  For fiberglass pipe insulation they have both Owens Corning and Johns Manville and they reserve the right to ship which ever they have on hand.  On my order, I noticed I received Johns Manville for bigger sizes and Owens on smaller sizes. Here’s a link to their site:
    https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/

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