Return/Condensate pump questions

GW

can I get some help from the two pipe people. Every time I learn something about two pipe, five years passes and I forget what I learned. We don’t have many large homes around here.

Something weird is happening with this condensate return. It kicks on for no reason every four or five minutes, for about three seconds. I open up the small Petcock and nothing is coming out.

all of the return condensate flows through this pump system, so somehow the water is getting back.

we came to replace a dead automatic water feeder, but this caught my attention
thanks

GW

in the meantime, I’ll try to locate a manual

mattmia2

very strong possibility it doesn't need it and someone installed it trying to fix some other problem.

The first thing to look at is what controls the pump in the feeder.

A missing or failed check valve could cause the condensate to drain out of the boiler and back in to the tank every time the pump shuts off or various arrangements that need some sort of a vacuum breaker or equalizer so they form a syphon.

Jamie Hall

If that thing is triggered by a float switch in the receiver, I'd agree with @mattmia2 up there — a small leak in the check valve coming back from the boiler. But wait… there's more! Is there a way to adjust the differential between on and off on whatever triggers it? That could also be a problem — whether it's a condensate return (switch in the tank) or a boiler feed (switch in the boiler).

JUGHNE

Check valve in the discharge line would be my first guess.

GW

Thanks guys, I think it's just a switch on the tank. The boiler has plenty of water yet the feeder still does its phantom cycle. I can only see line voltage going to the pressure switch. If there's a float inside, I'm scratching my head as to how the switch is seeing a power leg. Unless there's a float attached to that pressure switch

But with no water coming out of the petcock, that threw me for a loopsy

Should i pop the top and see what's going on?

Thanks

mattmia2

I believe there is a square d float switch with a box that looks like a pumptrol.

jumper

»someone installed it trying to fix some other problem«

over the years; well designed properly working go astray…..

pumps are sold by well meaning hungry folk.

Pumpguy

The switch shown in the picture is a common mechanical linkage type float switch. There are adjustable semi-circular stops on the linkage dial that set the start and stop points.

As others have said above, most common cause of short cycling condensate pump is leaking pump discharge check valve, followed by improperly adjusted float switch linkage.

Looks to me like some of the return line piping feeding this pump's receiving tank is below the tank's inlet. If true, you have a water seal in this return line which prevents the system from venting air. Is there any other form of venting air from these return lines?

GW

@Pumpguy yes you seem to know the deal. I asked the realtor if they want me to look further into it.

yes seems like the check valve is gooped

Yes the inlet to the tank is definitely pitching down (into the tank)

What about underground wet lines? I think I need a basic do and don’t sketch on return lines to the condensate pump. I don’t quite understand. The level in the tank is lower than the level in the boiler—

all the rerurns appear to be trapped at the radiator or crossover traps at the end of the mains. I didnt notice any additional venting but wasn’t looking for them either

Thanks for the tips

mattmia2

Unless there are emitters in the basement, returns below the boiler are easier to pipe directly.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Check valve between the pump and boiler is leaking back. I believe you supposed to have 2 of them 1 at the pump and another at the boiler.

GW

@mattmia2 yes there are some units in the basement. One or two