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Triangle Tube Condensate Trap Question...
Javelin
Member Posts: 138
Plumbing Pros, Every year I take off my condensate drain to clean it out.. I noticed this year (maybe it was always like this) that the ball inside sinks to the bottom of the trap. Is that normal? It SEEMS like it's blocking the path for the condensate to leave through the flexible tube.. I sort of maybe remember it used to float? Can anyone weigh in? Do these go bad? is it supposed to float instead of sink?
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Comments
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It should float. I am thinking yours has a leak and is waterlogged."If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
Albert Einstein0 -
as always - thank you Zman for your expertise. Do you think I can just get a replacement ball somewhere? Supply house has the whole assembly, but its $80:
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Triangle-Tube-PSRKIT05-Condensate-Drain-Assembly-for-Prestige-Solo-110-Boiler
What if I leave it as it is (sunken).. is that a big no-no.. Or should I just remove the ball all-together for now (so it doesn't get in the way)?
I'm not really sure how it's supposed to work. Thanks!0 -
I was going to suggest measuring the ball and getting a replacement, but I wonder if it's 'special' since the condensate has high PH?
I think you would be better off removing it, since being sunken like that it is blocking the trap exit.
Huh, looks like Lochinvar uses the same trap.
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The Lochinvar is the same assembly. You probably need to buy the whole part. Is it the same size as a ping pong ball ? I have often wondered as they bounce across the floor towards the drain."If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
Albert Einstein0 -
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Not sure the ball may just be an indicator or maybe it blocks flue gas from escaping if the trap is empty0
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I think it blocks the flue when the trap is empty.EBEBRATT-Ed said:Not sure the ball may just be an indicator or maybe it blocks flue gas from escaping if the trap is empty
I am pretty sure you could play ping-pong with it in a pinch."If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
Albert Einstein1 -
Take the ball out. Find where the leak is. Use a hair drier to heat the ball and the water will flow out. You can use and epoxy to close the cracks or hole in the ball and then reuse the salvaged part. This is green method to help save the planet.
JakeSteam: The Perfect Fluid for Heating and Some of the Problems
by Jacob (Jake) Myron0 -
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Ed’s a great guy.0
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You can buy 10 1" polyethylene balls from Zoro $5.95 + shipping, cost me $5. The balls become waterlogged. Their purpose is to block flue gases from escaping from the bottom of the boiler, thru the condensate drain pipe. Balls only last 5 or six years, makers should advise on this and provide replacement balls for a couple of bucks.0
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You can try sanding it. Over years ball is covered with all sorts of stuff, after sanding, it started floating again0
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https://www.plasticballs.com/plastic-balls-polypropylene.html
Here is the link to company. I think they were 1" diameter but verify1
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