What the heck is this???

Mark Eatherton1

I finally figured it out after futzing around with the system for over an hour. The call originally started out as a no heat call. My guys were the last ones to touch it, so natch, it's our fault (and it WAS).

Any of you old timers care to explain just what the heck this is and how its supposed to work?

I'm headed up to Alice Colorado to teach a bunch of Solar heads the proper way to interface solar with hydronic heat. I'll be back this afternoon to fill you all in on the details.

ME

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Nron_9

solar

not enough information for me sorry but I will be in denver for the co course in May 17- 21 maybe if you have time for dinner it would be great to have a face to go with the name email me if you feel like you have the time or if your in the area Nron

Robert O'Connor_7

What is it?

This was a manifold connection that was on forced water boilers returns years ago. It use to allow you to have the purge valve, water feed and expansion tank connections all in one. If I'm not mistaken the pump sat on top of it too and their also was a place for the compound gauge as well. It usually was in the worst possible location for service and again if my memory serves me correctly (I forgot which manufacturere it is) It was always millivolt/powerpile systems. It's old but not that old maybe mid seventies....Robert O'Connor/NJ

Pat Clark

correct

and, in my experience, if you actually try to close off the valve for purging (thats the rod with the hinged piece on it) it would usually break or start leaking and then you would have to repipe your return manifold. The boiler shown appears to be an old American Standard. Another thing about this boiler is that it had a step opening and step closing gas valve. Those are no longer available and if you put a step closing only gas valve on this boiler you will normally have a pilot outage problem on burner ignition.

If memory serves me right, American Standard Boiler division was bought out by Burnham and the boiler was redesigned taking out both of those items and became the Burnham American line.

Pat

Robert O'Connor_7

OH Yea!

Pat, you are correct about the valve thingy, had to re-do more than one. It appears the the fill valve fitting is missing ( this is where the current water connection is ) and it had the gauge, PRV & extrol tank all in one. Thanks for the nightmares (I mean memories)...Robert O'Connor/NJ

Mark Eatherton1

BINGO!!!

You're both correct. I was fighting a VERY slow floor drain, a system with no conventional means of purging and a lack of time.

I first thougt maybe it was like a balance cock, because the stem just spun and spun, but my attempts to purge it were fruitless. Out of frustation, I grabbed a hammer and started tappping on the end of the stem, and lo and behold, it moved inward, eventually bottoming out.

All of a sudden, air started coming out of the purge/drain cock like there was no tomorrow.

Once the system was fully purged, I pulled it back out, tightened the packing gland and the system worked like a champ.

Funny how you can be in this business for 30 years and never see something like this ain't it?

Good job guys!

ME


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Mark Eatherton1

Maybe...

If I were you, I'd sign up for the RPA "Radiant Basic course that I'm teaching on the 21st being held in Loveland. I can GUARANTEE lunch with me then...

If you choose to do the Radiant Basic course, Jim Davis has agreed to stay late Thursday night and certify those people attending the RPA course the next day. What a guy!!

For more information on the Rocky Mountain RadFest, go to http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=102

Not too late to change your ticket...

ME

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