hydro level set up

tsayles50

recently purchased a house with a hydro level auto filler. I stopped using it because it was overfilling the boiler. Any guidance on how to calibrate these things correctly?

dko

Is it wired to a lwco?

tsayles50

yes it is

Jamie Hall

Can't say without more information. First, though, the Hydrolevel should be being tripped by the low water cutoff -- so the first thing to check is whether the low water cutoff is working properly, and, if it is not a probe type, if the connections to the boiler are free and clear.

Then assuming it is, the question is -- what model Hydrolevel? There are, I think, about 10 of them, and they're different in how they can be set and controlled...

tsayles50

VXT-120. There is an overfill problem not a problem with it emptying and the autofiller not kicking in. Since I stopped using it I haven't had problems with it overfilling and it hasn't gone dry so I don't think it is a leak. Could the water level drop too low when the boiler is going and then it overfill?

Steamhead

It may be that the diaphragm in the valve is going bad. One way to check- with the water to the feeder turned on, press the "feed" rocker switch on top of the VXT. The valve should open and water should flow. When you release the switch, the valve should close instantly- if it does not, the valve needs rebuilding.

random12345

https://hydrolevel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/VXT-120-Instructions-web-0321.pdf

See page 3 of the manual. You can remove the cover plate by loosening the two screws one on the left and one on the right side of the unit with a flathead screwdriver and check the feed amount setting.

Jamie Hall

If @Steamhead 's check shows the feeder to be OK, check what the time delay and feed amount switches are set to (refer to the manual for the feeder). Improper settings for those can lead to significant overfilling.

Also, you haven't mentioned the type of low water cutoff. If it is a float type, has it been blown down frequently? Is it possible the float is sticking down?

In direct answer to your last question, @tsayles50 , The low water cutoff should shot the boiler off if the water level drops to low. Float type units can usually be checked by blowing them down with the boiler operating -- the boiler usually will shut off and the feed pilot light on the feeder should come on. Probe types are harder to check; there is a test button on them, but it doesn't really check the operation. You would need to drain the boiler down below the level of the probe and see if the boiler fires. It shouldn't. Don't forget to refill the boiler...

tsayles50

Thank you for the guidance. Honestly, I am still trying to figure out what kind of low water cut off system I have, we moved in this past January. Any guidance on how to figure that out?

Steamhead

Post some pics of your boiler.

Where are you located?

tsayles50

Steamhead said:

Post some pics of your boiler.

Where are you located?

Pictures of the boiler.

I am in North Jersey.

HVACNUT

Have you gone through the settings on the feeder? 

Questions for the steam pros. 

1- Why is the stamp for minimum water level below the LWCO probe and the gauge glass? Anything to do with a false water line?

2- Does the back flow preventer serve any purpose here?