equalizing tanks?

dave_126

I have a house that has 2 boilers with 2 tanks. One tank goes to each boiler, with an equalizing line between the 2 tanks. The boilers have a common return. 1 tank runs out of oil before the other tank gets to 1/4. The equalizer line isn't plugged so why aren't the tanks the same level? Should the line be before the filter?

Jamie Hall

The line should be before the filter.

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1842241#Comment_1842241

I was trying to think through the pressure drop through the filter but was thinking the pressure drop goes to 0 as the flow goes to 0 so it should eventually equalize.

EBEBRATT-Ed

The equalizer pipe between the tanks is probably plugged.

Did it ever work or is this something new?

It would be better if each boiler returned to the same tank it pulls from.

Does the common return go to the tank that runs empty or (more likely) the tank that has more oil in it.

Do the suction lines go gravity feed to each boiler independently

techforlife

Impractical install. Small orifices in fire valves should be replaced by full port ball valves. Equalizing line between tanks should be 1/2" minimum, UNFILTERED, I.E., No restrictions for tank equalization. Install filters after that. Whoever installed this was overthinking and obviously inexperienced in oil heat reliability.

jesmed1

For reference, here is our install, with ball valves and equalizer before the filters.