Summerizing Single Pipe Steam WMC EG75 Boiler Filled With Water-Water In Pigtails bad?

cubicacres

Yesterday we filled our WMC EG 75 single-pipe steam boiler (see photo) 2-3 gallons above the top of the sight glass before shutting it off for the summer (we try and fill to a different level each off-season to move any rust lines around), added 1 steamaster tablet & ran it to 180F on max heat with our Tekmar 279 boiler controller for several minutes to help dissolve some oxygen. We noticed the 1-3 psi gauge bouncing around up to 1 psi & thought it may be filled with water now if the water line is over the pigtail attatchment to the boiler. Is it ok to leave it as is & disconnect & swab out the pigtail in the fall with cleaning the boiler with our water wand

, or should we do anything right away to get any water out of the controls since this is a few more gallons than usual (we often fill to 1 gallon around the gauge glass)?

EBEBRATT-Ed

You will always have water in the pigtails. That is what they are for to protect gauges and pressure controls from steam they form a water trap.

Many advocate 'filling the pigtail with water" after cleaning it which is the most ridiculous thing I have ever herd. The pigtail fills with condensate (water) as soon as the boiler steams

ethicalpaul

I think you just saw the weight of the water pushing against the air in the pigtail. The air that's in there, just below the gauge, can't escape of course, but it might be better to remove the pressure from the gauge. I think it's probably fine, but if you're nervous just drain some out to get the level back to the level of the pigtail.

cubicacres

ok, thanks. Wasn't sure if water made it into the gauges & caused a problem. We'll do a good cleaning this fall before we start it up.

ethicalpaul

ok now I’m curious. What is a good cleaning?