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G.E. steam boiler

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after all these years , but the sidearm coil started to leak into the boiler . And the homeowner thought it was a good time to upgrade to new equipment .

Comments

  • Burnham V83

    One of the trickiest parts of these jobs is to line up the 1st header pipe with a boiler thats sitting on unlevel ground . We also removed the main vent and bull head tee it was in , and installed a new main vent about 2 feet back from where it drops down .
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,883
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    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,909
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    HEAVY METAL!!!!!!!!


    Man those things are heavy!

    Next time I sell a GE replacement I am going to carry enough money to get a magician to make it disappear!

    Nice job Ron!

    Mark H

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  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
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    Ron why

    is the header inverted???Never seen 1 piped that way...Or am I seeing wrong....Are you trying to slow the steam flo out or the boiler???Looks great..Thanks for any feedback..Richard
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,909
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    Drop header


    An excellent way to get good seperation of wet and dry steam.

    Mark H

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  • And also

    it makes connecting the 2 boiler riser pipes much easier , and gives the pipes a bit more wiggle room when they expand and contract . Its called a drop header and the 1st one I saw , Noel's steam boiler pics , I thought I was seeing an optical illusion also . For the 2 extra street ells , its well worth the effort . Thanks Richard .
  • I wonder how much

    they weigh ? We just moved it to the side because the air cell was still on it , but what a chore getting it over just 6 feet . They made these babies to last . Thanks Mark .
  • And also

    once again , I appreciate your comments Steamhead . Originally I didnt think I would have the time to mess around with the dry return , but then I was thinking " Steamhead wouldn't like the looks of that bullhead tee " . This website is great for keeping those bad thoughts in check .
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,909
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    The small ones


    weighed about 900lbs!

    I haven't touched one in a while,(I think I replaced them all!), but you NEVER forget a GE downfire!

    My bones are crackin' just thinkin' about it!!

    Mark H

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,883
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    Here's

    Noel's version, which inspired Ron and so many others. On this one, he used horizontal nipples instead of street elbows and built the header on the other side of the boiler. You'll notice the steam mains on this job were rather low, and the drop header allowed the use of taller risers from the boiler. This further reduced the possibility that water would get into the header.

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    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Bryan_5
    Bryan_5 Member Posts: 270
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    Steamhead,
    Is the drop header primarly used for a lack of space? Or the drier steam? Or would you still use it even with enough room?
    Bryan
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,883
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    Originally

    I believe they were a way to get around those low steam mains and still have the 24-inch risers coming out of the boiler. But they're also easier to install, which is why we love to use them.

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    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Bob_19
    Bob_19 Member Posts: 94
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    You notice

    large commercial and industrial boilers always tap off the top of the header with bends for 2 reasons. Tap off bottom for return only.
    Decrease moisture content of steam.
    Bends act as expansion joints giving some free movement of the steam riser to header.

    But I wonder! does anyone on residential installs need a trap at the end of the header? I noticed there weren't any.
    Or is that to not break up the Hartford Loop?
  • [Deleted User]
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    Traps

    Traps aren't found on one pipe steam systems. The supply and returns are all the same pressure.

    Noel
  • Bob_19
    Bob_19 Member Posts: 94
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    Got It

    You know! I thought of that after I typed the question, didn't notice if it was or not, Thanks
This discussion has been closed.