oversize steam boiler makeup

David Efflandt

This Bryant boiler was installed about 2 years ago in house I moved into this summer. The normal optional water feed is model WF-2U-24. I wonder if installer read boiler instructions which say, if a McDonnell 101 is used "the water feed rates are too high and need to be regulated or throttled". It has a McDonnell 101-A and no regulator or throttling valve.

So I have to almost close the 3/4" ball valve on the supply (which is not really intended for throttling) to keep the boiler from filling too fast and too full. Not sure what city water pressure is (~65 psi?).

It currently goes from 3/4" shutoff through about 2' of 1/2 hard copper to the 1/2" 101-A.

David Efflandt

throttling steam boiler makeup

This Bryant boiler on single-pipe steam was installed about 2 years ago in house I moved into this summer. The normal optional water feed is model WF-2U-24 which is apparently low capacity. Boiler instructions say, if a McDonnell 101 is used "the water feed rates are too high and need to be regulated or throttled". It has a McDonnell 101-A and no regulator or throttling valve.

So I have to almost close the 3/4" ball valve on the supply (which is not really intended for throttling) to keep the boiler from filling too fast and too full. Not sure what city water pressure is (~65 psi?).

It currently goes from 3/4" shutoff through about 2' of 1/2 hard copper to the 1/2" 101-A. What type of valve would you recommend for throttling this, would a needle valve be too small or should it be a globe valve?

Hartford loop is also somewhat different from boiler manual. There are condensate lines returning from end of mains, but no main vents. I added the foil backed fiberglass insulation, since newer steam piping was uninsulated.

ed wallace

steam

i would start by finding someone who can read instructions and have the system repiped properly as to the autowater feeder the have resticters in them that are replaceable the installer probably did not put in the correct one click on to find a contractor and see if there is someone near you who can help you

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Steamhead

The Hartford Loop is \"different\" all right

it's completely backwards!

Lack of proper main vents can cause the boiler to use up more water than needed, to build pressure. This can call the feeder in when it shouldn't. Also, a too-high Pressuretrol setting can do the same thing.

Is the header (pipe coming up from boiler and feeding steam mains) copper? If so, it should be repiped with black steel. Copper often doesn't last long on steam lines- it expands and contracts too much.

And the return lines should come together well below the boiler waterline, not above it. This isolates the returns from each other.

Best thing to do here is go to the Find a Contractor page of this site and follow the instructions to locate a good steam man near you. If you're in the Baltimore area, e-mail me.


To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

David Efflandt

More info

Yes the steam mains under the foil/fiberglass are copper.

One of the first things I did was crank the pressuretrol from its 8-9 psi setting down as low as it would go (0.5 psi cut-in, 1 psi rise). That revealed the possible reason it was cranked up, the Effikal vent damper occasionally not opening when hot, even though it had power to proper pins and would open with its manual test switch. Rather than getting it fixed under warranty by someone possibly unqualified, I replaced it with Honeywell D896 which works great.

It is a 2-story 3 bedroom house circa 1910 in Elgin, IL (40 mi nw of Chicago). Boiler is 112 MBH input, rated net 283 sq ft radiation, which seems more than 6 radiators need (2 are small).

So far no luck finding anyone around here who knows anything about steam and "Find a Contractor" does not find any in Illinois. Although, I saw a post reply from a major contractor up the road so I will check with him.

David Efflandt

More info

Yes the steam mains under the foil/fiberglass are copper.

One of the first things I did was crank the pressuretrol from its 8-9 psi setting down as low as it would go (0.5 psi cut-in, 1 psi rise). That revealed the possible reason it was cranked up, the Effikal vent damper occasionally not opening when hot, even though it had power to proper pins and would open with its manual test switch. Rather than getting it fixed under warranty by someone possibly unqualified, I replaced it with Honeywell D896 which works great.

It is a 2-story 3 bedroom house circa 1910 in Elgin, IL (40 mi nw of Chicago). Boiler is 112 MBH input, rated net 283 sq ft radiation, which seems more than 6 radiators need (2 are small).

So far no luck finding anyone around here who knows anything about steam and "Find a Contractor" does not find any in Illinois. Although, I saw a post reply from a major contractor up the road, so I will check with him.

Glenn Harrison

Northern Illinois Contractor here

Hello, David. I would like to offer our services, as a "Wallie". I am a service tech for a Large contractor based out of Crystal Lake. If you would like feel free to contact our office and we can send someone out to resolve your piping problems. I do some Steam work and if it gets over my head we have some commercial/industrial techs who are good with Steam. Also, just to let you know, I just had another "Wallie" in Elgin whom just wrote me for some help.

Thanks,

Glenn Harrison, Residential Service Tech.

Althoff Industries Inc.
8001 South Route 31
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
815-455-7000
800-225-2443

Glenn Harrison

Northern Illinois Contractor here

Hello, David. I would like to offer our services, as a "Wallie". I am a service tech for a Large contractor based out of Crystal Lake. If you would like feel free to contact our office and we can send someone out to resolve your piping problems. I do some Steam work and if it gets over my head we have some commercial/industrial techs who are excellent with Steam. Also, just to let you know, I just had another "Wallie" in Elgin whom just wrote me for some help.

Thanks,

Glenn Harrison, Residential Service Tech.

Althoff Industries Inc.
8001 South Route 31
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014

815-455-7000 or
800-225-2443

www.althoffind.com