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Glass Gauge Informatio

Elsa
Elsa Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL
We have an old steam furnace that works well. Last year we had a new automatic feed installed.
I need simple Info about Glass Gauges -- the clear glass tube with a open-close handle on top and an open-close handle on the bottom.
I asked our oil company "inspectors" and got 2 answers one says OPEN at all times and one says CLOSED. How exactly do you operate this device? What exactly are they supposed to be for? Can they control the water level?

(This is a non technical question) (Simple answers please) Thank you

Comments

  • todd s
    todd s Member Posts: 212
    steam gauge

    I prefer to leave them open. Its nice to be able to see what going on inside and just where the water level is.
  • Al Letellier
    Al Letellier Member Posts: 781
    gauge glass

    Ditto that answer. Always open unless it leaks, then close and fix, then re-open

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  • Dale
    Dale Member Posts: 1,317
    OPEN

    For safety reasons always open, when you do your weekly safety check of the low water cut off by blowing it down you watch the water leve in the guage glass drop to show its seeing water level and you hear the burner shut off. The most dangerous thing to do with a steam boiler is add water to a hot boiler that doesn't have water in it. By leaving the gauge glass open you watch it drop before you add water to a warm boiler.
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