Over fired boiler

Phillip Biston

I have a HB Smith GV-400 boiler that seems to make very wet steam, it will run for a short while , not even get to pressure, and it runs out of water and shuts off, then shortly the water returns and the boiler relights. The water looks very clean, I know the vents are not enough ( they are on order}. I have also raised the water level to an inch above the normal water line posted on the boiler. I am thinking that the boiler is overfired and boiling the water out too rapidly, also I don't know how to physically change the firing of the boiler. The previous owner was running 7 psi, I would like to get to around 2psi. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate them.
Thanks, Phillip

Steamhead

This is a job for a pro

Maybe the boiler is overfired, but maybe it isn't. Or it could be a combination of several factors. Regardless, the best thing to do is go to the Find a Contractor page of this site to locate a pro near you.

If you're in or near Baltimore, e-mail me!

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kevin coppinger_4

sounds more like...

the near boiler piping is wrong...raising the water level won't help, just makes it worse. It's stopping because its going off on Low Water cutoff... I doubt its over fired and most manufactures won't let you change the firing rate w/o voiding the warranty....Should get a steam educated contractor out to look at it, ASAP. Where are you?

Mike F

boiler definitely not over fired. when water is converted to steam it occupies 1700 times the space the water did. you would have to close all the windows and doors in the house and fill the entire house with steam to get the boiler to shut off on low water from water converting to steam. the problem is in the piping. you should call a few pro's and get opinions on how to correct situation.

Phillip Biston

Thanks for all of the replies, I was just hoping it was somthing other than near boiler piping. There are not any knowledgeable steam contractors in Kirksville Missouri...or in Missouri possibly. I own a 4 story brick apartment building built in 1923 (can be seen at kirksvilleapartments.com).The previous owner said the contractor that installed the boiler told him that it was to run on 7psi , and the boiler shutting off at low water cutoff was normal. I dont have the manual for a HB Smith G-400 to check the near boiler piping, if anyone knows where to find that information, I would appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Phillip

Mike F

dan's book the lost art of steam heating

steve_6

try this for info

http://www.smithboiler.com/html/pdf.html