What is this on my boiler? Flow control?

Joe.G

On the top of my boiler I have a stack where the hot water goes to the pipes that go to the radiators, on the very top of it the is a handle I can turn is this some kind of flow control valve? I have heard that if my circulator goes bad I could either open it or close it I forget and it will circulate the water to my radiators? thanks a lot

P.S it is a 1947 work heat boiler.

joe_14

picture



a picture would help,if it is a flow control valve its there to stop gravity flow when not calling for heat. if circ fails and you open up valve you will get a gravity flow of heat how much heat you get depends on size of piping.

joe.g.

Al Letellier

flo control

From your description, it is a flow check or "control" A picture would help to make sure, but it seems that is what you have. If your equipment is that old and the flow check is original, consider yourself lucky if that lever or knob still turns.
It's function is to limit flow of water through the system by gravity when the boiler is hot and the physics of hydronics want to make that hot water move. It takes the head, or velocity created by the circulator, to lift that check and allow the system to circulated. If you can open it, it will allow stored heat in the boiler to circulate to the higher elevations of the system, until the temperature equalizes, and then you need that power to come back on!!

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Joe.G

How far should this little knob/vavle be open? it is connected right to the pipeing, So if my ciurlator goes bad I can open or close this to heat my houes intill I can get the new circulator on? thanks

Joe.G

I mean if the circullator went bad, so it should be all the way closed when everything is working right and all the way open if the cirrcullator went bad?
What happens if everything is working right and it is open?
Should I try and see if I can open it? just to check if it works? Thanks