Anyone use a sight glass float ball for quick reference?

Bodycount

Something like this. 

Derheatmeister

yes..On solar system tanks.

Bodycount

Can it be used in a residential steam boiler sight glass?

JUGHNE

The sight glass with the heavy red line are easier to read.
I think the ball might get hung up and be misleading.

Derheatmeister

JUGHNE said:

The sight glass with the heavy red line are easier to read.
I think the ball might get hung up and be misleading.

i have never seen on hung up

Dan_NJ

The first time I opened my sight glass valve to flush it that ball would be in the bucket.

ethicalpaul

It wouldn't fit out the valve, you'd have to remove the glass. It doesn't bother me, but I don't really see the need for it...but then I have a small basement

AdmiralYoda

I just have a line that I drew with a permanent marker. I have two lines....the "Fill To" line about 2/3rds up the sight glass and a line about a third way up the sight glass.

If I'm not there I can ask my wife to check the sight glass and if it reaches the bottom line....fill it until it hits the top line.

ChrisJ

I don't see why you can't use them.
I always thought they were meant for steam boilers.

I went with this style glass.

JUGHNE

Yes, the red line. Or hold your hand behind the glass.

On a water clean up project from leaking UST at gas station, we were pumping water that was slightly tainted with oils etc.
I put a clear tube sight "glass" on the 1000 gal holding tank and put a fishing bobber in the tube. The trace of oil would make the float cling to the tube.

I am thinking a little oil in the steam water might do the same.
Of course in theory there should be no oils left in a clean boiler.

Bodycount

The boiler that’s been giving me stress is at a two family I own & maintain. 

The image above is a Ring Wi-Fi camera, so can monitor it on my phone. 

I like the redline glass but my local Wallington Plumbing only has clear and I bought 3.  

I’m gonna order the ball & report back. 

ChrisJ

I think the ball will work perfectly.

But your boiler also looks like it's in desperate need of skimming

Or not.  I see what you mean the water is higher than the dark area

Bodycount

Skimming. YES! Thanks. 

I’m otw to pickup the hardware. I’m pretty sure it’s 3/4”.

ChrisJ

Bodycount said:

Skimming. YES! Thanks. 

I’m otw to pickup the hardware. I’m pretty sure it’s 3/4”.

For skimming?   1 1/5" I think but it's been a while.

The gauge glass I think is 5/8"

JUGHNE

Chris, 1 1/5"???....it has been awhile.

ChrisJ

JUGHNE said:

Chris, 1 1/5"???....it has been awhile.

Oh boy.
1 1/2".
 

I've got a lot of numbers going thru my head 

Bodycount

Definitely 1 1/2” as I brought everything else. 

CLamb

If it's rusty water than is making the level hard to read you can stick a magnet to the side of metal rod on the side. That will draw all the rust particles to a spot near the magnet leaving the rest of the water mostly clear.

Hap_Hazzard

But rust is virtually nonmagnetic. Also, a little rust in the water makes it easier to read, as long as it doesn't build up on the glass. I use a small black cable tie to mark the water level on my gauge glass. I tried painting it, but that wore off, then I etched it, but that was too faint. The cable tie works great.

mygardenshed

I put two o-rings around the outside of the glass. One at max and one midway to min.
Sometimes use the lower one as a reference to see if things are consistent as far as water use goes.

ChrisJ

I just keep my water half way to 3/4 up the tube.

Never thought it was precise enough to require markers.

BobC

I just put an index card behind the sight glass to make it easier to read.

Bob