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Steam boiler not cutting out

tkos115
tkos115 Member Posts: 94
in Strictly Steam
I came home today and turned the heat up and after maybe 25min I could hear a loud hissing from downstairs. The boiler was still running but the pressure relief valve was doing what it should and dumping excess pressure. I took the cover off the pressuretrol when it was running and if I manually move the lever it will shut off. The running pressure was close to 15psi. Is this a bad pressuretrol causing this? The house still heated normally but didn't kick off. 

Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,598
    Pull and clean the pig tail. 
    TwoTones
  • tkos115
    tkos115 Member Posts: 94
    That was my next thought, I just took it apart and it looks good, I flushed it with water and I don't see any obstructions. 
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,230
    If pigtail is clear, then you obviously have a bad pressuretroll. Have that replaced pronto. Next question is why are you building up pressure so quickly. 15 lb in 25 minutes is a bit obscene
  • tkos115
    tkos115 Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2024
    I found the issue, the last elbow to the pressuretrol was plugged, (the only piece I didn't initially flush). Im going to reassemble now and test. And the radiators were a little warm when I got home so I suspect it was due to being already hot. Prior to this it always ran fine and at a low pressure.

    I'm an auto mechanic by trade to hvac stuff isn't my strong suit but I'm hoping this fixes it. 




  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,956
    edited January 2024
    well that outside looks clean , , ,
    #pigtails
    known to beat dead horses
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,110
    You did the equivalent of looking for a fuel line blockage but not checking the entire fuel line. Steam and cars are the same :smiley:

    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

    CLamb
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,006
    @ethicalpaul

    maybe we should bring back the 'Stanley Steamer" and get rid of the electric cars. :)
    delcrossv
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,511
    edited January 2024
    When looking for possible pressuretrol plugging make sure the small hole at the base of the pressuretrol (or vaporstat Inside the brass fitting) is clear. That can get gunked up stop it from trading the system pressure.

    I worked in Watertown for over twenty years as a technician then in engineering, and a mile so down the main drag was Doble Engineering , That's the same outfit that developed the Doble model B steam can over a hundred years ago.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doble_steam_car

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
    CLamb
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,110
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:

    @ethicalpaul

    maybe we should bring back the 'Stanley Steamer" and get rid of the electric cars. :)

    Nah, too modern. I'm a bit old fashioned so I'm going back to the old days--electric

    https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g43480930/history-of-electric-cars/

    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

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