backup power for gas boiler

Tim Gardner

Very cool! Anything equivalent for oil?

Paul Llewellyn

backup power for gas boiler

A year ago, I adopted a 65 year old one pipe steam system on a somewhat old (not 65 years, maybe 30) Weil-McClain gas boiler. Problem is, the power often goes out in town during heavy snow. Obviously, this occurs when it is cold out, and when it would be nice to have heat.

Is there any way to get the boiler started and safely running during these power outages? Alternatively, is there any way to patch a battery backup into the low voltage lines running to the boiler and thermostat?

Mark J Strawcutter

computer UPS

Since it's a steam system, the power draw should be minimal. Measure the (fractional?) amp draw on the primary power. Size a UPS for the length of time you'd like to maintain that draw, and wire the boiler primary thru it.

Mark

Dale

Besides the UPS

Another way is to convert to a powerpile valve and T86 power pile stat. This is the way alot of the old steamers were set up, if done by someone who understands powerpiles it's a good system that needs no 120v.

Tim Gardner

The powerpile stuff looks very cool! Anything equivalent for oil?

steve_6

power supplies

one option is to convert your system to millivolt. Another option would be to buy yourself a deep cycle marine battery, a trickle charger, and a power inverter. Then wire your 24 volt transformer to a pigtail with a plug on it that you can move from a 110 volt outlet to your power inverter.