Near-boiler piping : what do you think ?

dfavoriten

Hi Dan,

I saw your YouTube video on near boiler piping and wanted to know what you think of my current setup for my new boiler installed 3 months ago to replace a very old one. Both units Weil McLain.

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mattmia2

Check the diagram in the manual for the pipe sizes. The header may be too small. The part we can see looks good if the mains are parallel flow(have separate returns from the far end of the mains) but we need to see the part wedged between the wall and the boiler. It will be a pain to service, they should have slid it out some or turned it 90 degrees or both but unless that was specified it would be hard to argue that it is a problem.

mattmia2

and @DanHolohan is retired though he shows up here from time to time.

dfavoriten

The manual says the EG 40 ( model I have ) needs a 2.5” riser and header pipe. Here are pics of what’s between the wall and the boiler

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mattmia2

ok so it is parallel flow and the dry returns connect below the water line like they are supposed to. it looks good.

dfavoriten

thanks !

mattmia2

make sure the pipe is 2.5". i think it is but i'm not good at judging pipe sizes in pictures.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Measure the diameter of the pipe, the risers. I am guessing they are 2" which will be undersized. The outside diameter of 2" pipe is 2 3/8"

2 1/2" pipe is 2 7/8" OD.

measure the OD not the circumference

mattmia2

i think i see a "2" cast in to one of the 45's

Ironman

It definitely has a “2” cast on the ell.

clammy

To bad he faced the service side towards the wall ,possibly should have spun it 90 degrees hopefully the next service tech is not large . I usually try to make the sight glass and lwco on a side that has access but ya cant always get what you want or need .Piping looks fine as for the size its about what 99 % do cause no one is really checking usually and steam is quite forgiving and most of the time it no noticeable difference not everyone wants eye candy they just want it to work . i would gather that larger risers and header would have increased the price somewhat and when your bidding against others you bid what they do unless ya dont mind loosing most of the jobs ya look cause your more money and usually higher priced bids end in the waste paper basket .Its always easier to let the home owner make the decision over using a doom and gloom pressure to get the job that's never been my angle .

peace and good luck clammy

dfavoriten

the circumference of the riser and header pipes is approximately 7.75” . So dividing that by 3.1416, the diameter comes out to 2.42 inches.

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1876632#Comment_1876632

2"

Pipe Sizing Charts - Circumference, O.D & Threads Per Inch.

dfavoriten

so what is the negative impact of having a 2 inch pipe instead of the required 2.5 inch pipe ?

EBEBRATT-Ed

The boiler generates a given amount of steam. If the pipes are too small the velocity of the steam (think miles/hour) is moving faster than it should be. This can cause the steam to pull water out of the boiler and create an unstable water line.

Check the boiler manual and show it to the installer. The manufacturer of the boiler tests the boiler and specifies what size pipe to use. For good operation the mGS instructions need to be followed.

Would you want to drive a 1 ton pick up truck with Volkswagen tires on it?

Ironman

Most contractors don’t have the equipment to thread anything above 2”, so that’s the maximum size you get.

ChrisJ

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1876671#Comment_1876671

With that boiler if they ran two 2" risers fairly high, I'd bet a 2" header would perform fine.

That lets them use the tools they have to get the job done and a happy customer.

pecmsg

when I did that work NO we didn’t like threading over 2” BUT, it wasn’t my choice. The boss paid the labor to do it.

2 1/2 and up took longer, a little more break time.

mattmia2

for something like that you can easily buy pre-threaded nipples. the risers to the main and to the equalizer can be reduced.

EBEBRATT-Ed

2 1/2 and up is a PITA but you do what you have to do. With something like that the most important thing is to be able to visualize and know how to measure.

That job is a cinch if you know what you are doing. You measure it up buy what you can (which in this case is everything) and have a supply house cut and thread some 2 1/2 inch that you measure up > In this case you wouldn't have to.

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Here is a chiller I did about 10 years ago. I was about 62 at that time. We cut back the supply and return 6" pipe and welded on 2 flanges. Ran 6" vic into the chiller.

Picture going to a job 1 1/2 hours from the shop lugging a groover and something to cut 6" pipe with all the pipe and fittings. You not lugging those tools to the roof so you would be up and down the ships ladder all day. No fun. Even with two guys it would suck.

So I spent 2 hours measuring it up and ordering the fittings. Turned my sketch in to the shop and had the pipe cut and grooved there. there.

Loaded it into my truck and went back myself. Pulled it all up to the roof with a rope myself and piped it. That's why I am a mess now.

I had the welder build the angle Iron support the same day we put the flanges on.

Its all about knowing how to measure.