Steam pressure question

geemalar

So I definitely got lucky……..I was able to drill out the center of the broken stub, and kept drilling until there was just a little bit of material left of the brass stub pipe. Took my handy pointed chisel, sharpened the end, and started peening over one end of the remnants. I was able to break it out in little pieces. Nicked a few threads of the insert, so I have to run out and get a thread chaser of the proper size.

Would have been easier if I didn’t have to work between the boiler and the basemenwall to the right, only 15 inches of space to work in.

I plan to put about a 2 inch copper stub pipe into the insert, then put in a 90 degree brass fitting, the put a new 30 psi gauge with a bottom mount fitting.

So the next question…….heres the gauge I pulled out. I noticed it is only about 3 inches above the water line. Is there any special 0-30 gauge I need to get, as it would appear this one is subjected to direct steam as it was not fitted on a pigtail.

mattmia2

it needs to be "internal syphon", that protects it from steam. Or you can just plug it and use a tee or cross and put it with your other gauge.

Or better yet plug it with a short nipple and a cap, that will be easier to get out if you ever want to use that tapping for something else.

ethicalpaul

They all fail fast and you don't need them except apparently for code purposes. The Right Way™ is to leave that factory one in there broken and forgotten and use your low-psi one that you added.

geemalar

So don’t bother putting any 0-30 gauge back? Saves me the cost of purchasing one.

mattmia2

Failure usually has to do with it getting tweaked, if you bend the case while levering on something or drop it you are very likely to throw it far out of calibration or just plain get it stuck at some reading.

bburd

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1855577#Comment_1855577

You still need a 0 to 30 psi gauge for code and insurance purposes. The gauge must have at least twice the range of the setting of the pressure relief (safety) valve, which for a low pressure steam boiler is 15 psig by code.

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1855577#Comment_1855577

I believe a 0-30# gauge is required by code!

ethicalpaul

Yes, I'll quote myself:

They all fail fast and you don't need them except apparently for code purposes

Failure usually has to do with it getting tweaked, if you bend the case while levering on something or drop it you are very likely to throw it far out of calibration or just plain get it stuck at some reading.

Nope, they die all on their own very fast

geemalar

I put in a copper stub pipe with a 90 degree elbow and plug for now. My local plumbing supply store only had a back mount, but it did not say it was an internal siphon style. Once I find the correct type I will install one just so I’m up to code.