Why Don't Some Pressuretrols Have A Pigtail?

Tom_22

Why do some Pressuretrols sit on a straight pipe instead of a pig tail. Is either way OK? Is a Pigtail better? If so, why? For collecting sludge or dirt?

TomBk

Big Ed

Pig tail

A pigtail will collect a puddle of water in it's lower loop which would and protect the control from steam damage. Why don't some have pigtail ? Have to ask the installer...

Mad Dog

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ a big fat dollar or two for a brass one Mad Dog

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Tom_22

I'm going to change out the nipple to this pressuretrol tommorrow and put in a pig tail although it had a straight nipple and a T before, since it can't do any harm. (right?)

This is on a big old residential boiler that must be at least fifty years old. I think its an American something or United something, I forget. Can't hardly read the nameplate.

By the way, does anyone like to put a pressure gauge on the pressuretrol connections? How important do you consider that to check the actual performance of the pressuretrol settings?

TomBk

Mad Dog

Absolutely...try to get a gauge that reads in ounces too

protect them both with a pigtail. Mad Dog

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Dave DeFord

My gauge is useless..

because it reads 0-30 psi. The needle never comes off of the pin. Never quite understood why such a useless gauge was installed.

Unknown

code

the gauge must read two times what the relief valve lets go at.

This is so that if the pressure rises above a faulty relief valve's setpoint, there is gauge enough left to indicate this condition.

Noel

Dave DeFord

So I see

said the blind man. Then I guess my plan to replace it with a useful gauge needs to be modified to leave the present gauge in place and install a useful gauge too! Thanks for the heads up!

James W.Stamo

where to get gauges

You have a place where youm can get these gauges, because I need one for my mother's boiler, the people that installed the boiler gave my mother a busted gauge, I can't replace it because the boiler jacket has to come off and a whole bunch of other stuff.I have to install it on the pressutroll.Please post the make and the supplier of the gauge Thanks.

Firedragon_3

Try here, all the gauges you'll ever need!

www.gaugestore.com

Dave_23

Example of two gauges

See attached

James W.Stamo

why two gauges

Why the two gauges? is the second one a backup ?

James W.Stamo

thanks

thank you

James W.Stamo

Is that new type

Is That a new type of pressuretroll above the two gauges.

Unknown

Sometimes

the boiler has a homemade pigtail . Take a look at Dan Foley's steam boiler under the post - Finished Steamer DF . I like to pipe the controls the same way when there is more than one , and also if there is a mercury controlled pressuretrol - theres no pontential of the pigtail moving when it heats up .

Dave_23

Two gauges

One gauge is the stock WM 0-30 psi, code-required gauge. Since the blowoff is set at 15 psi steam, a 30 psi gauge is required. The second gauge is 0-5 ounces to help measure vapor pressure in the system. The control device is a Honeywell Vaporstat, which replaced the original Pressurestat.

James W.Stamo

Vaporstat

Is the vaporstat the newest version of the pressuretro?

Dave_23

Vaportstat

> Is the vaporstat the newest version of the

> pressuretro?

Dave_23

Vaporstat

No, I replaced the pressuretrol with the vaporstat myself when I added the ounce gauge. The pressuretrol was stock on my WM steam boiler. However, my system runs at such low pressure, approx 1 ounce, that the original pressuretrol probably would have been fine as a safety device. Due to the low operating pressure of my system, the vaporstat never cuts out, nor did the pressuretrol. The Vaporstat just provides me with a bit more insurance.

Dale

Because of the codes

You have a 30# gauge because the boiler and pressure vessel code requires it. Since you have a 15 pound relief valve the code requires that the center point ( most accurate portion) of the gauge read to the setpoint of the relief. It is NOT a good idea to remove that gauge it IS a good idea to install another gauge that reads for a 2 pound setting. Also in my building the system runs at 9 pounds for condensate lift. The boiler manufacturers aren't stupid so they install what's required.