Automatic Water Feeder

mcp1

Why is my automatic water feeder calling for water to my steam boiler when the sight gauge is already full? I tried to drain water out of the boiler to get the water level down to 3/4 full on the sight glass & the feeder kicked on before I could get the water level down. I shut the valve on the feeder. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this or why it's happening?

JUGHNE

What type of LWCO do you have to activate the feeder?

mcp1

Cycle Gard Model CG400-2090

mcp1

mcp1

The sight glass is full but I am unable to drain water from the boiler? Why would that be?

Long Beach Ed

That system can be fulled all the way up to the first floor radiator vents. It's probably so full that you have to keep draining before you see it come down in the glass?

Turn off the feeder's water supply valve and open the drain valve. Keep draining it until the water drops in the sight glass. Make sure both sight glass valves are open.

The "LOC" means that the feeder has turned off because the Cycle-Gard continues to call for feed and the control believes the condition has not been corrected. Is the Cycle-Gard's bottom light lit? That would mean it's calling for water.

JUGHNE

Do you mean you open the boiler drain, let water out and the glass level does not drop?

Is the bottom sight glass port valve open? Glass could fill up from the top...steam condensing.

Is the lower port open into the boiler?

BOSN

I had a similar issue a few years back. Automatic water feeder just kept filling and filling which basically sent water to my first floor radiators and filled them up. Wife notice water leaking and off we went.

Had to turn off the auto feeder and then drained the boiler for what seemed like 30 minutes! Once I could see the site tube level (for me half-way if not just a little lower) I stopped draining. Fired the boiler back up and we were in business. For the rest of the winter season I just monitored water level and if water was needed I used the manual valve to add more. Got the auto feeder replaced in the summer months to avoid "double rates" for a winter call out.

Gordo

@mcp1 : I think in your case, after you drain your boiler, I'd remove the probe of your LWCO and try cleaning it and put it back without any teflon tape (if any found).
Make sure you have proper "chassis" electrical bonding or ground in the LWCO box and probe frame.
It seems your LWCO is not detecting the water in the boiler and sending false signals to the VXT.

ethicalpaul

BOSN said:

For the rest of the winter season I just monitored water level and if water was needed I used the manual valve to add more. Got the auto feeder replaced in the summer months to avoid "double rates" for a winter call out.

A better idea would be to not replace the autofeeder!

But regarding this thread, with this piping, how do you even completely drain this boiler or get the mud out? Maybe there is another drain on the other side.

gerry gill

Maybe it is just another crap VXT…opps, do I sound angry …lol