Expansiion Tank Test

Paul_28

Can I test the air pressure in the tank on the bioler?

Alan_6

expansion tanks

Are you talking about a bladder tank?

Paul_28

Yes

Alan_6

tire guage

You can test them with a tire pressure guage. The pressure should match your system pressure. Some people think they can tell if they are water logged, by tapping on the tank, and hearing a hollow sound. This does not work, when a tank is water logged, the pressure will increase rapidly, as the water warms up. Usually if you find the pressure very low it is too late, the bladder has already over stretched.

larry_9

Test Bladder tank

One quick way of testing a badder Tank is to shut the valve going into the boiler and watch the pressure guage if it dropes and then when you open it and it raises you badder tank is eiather under sized or water logged.

Al Letellier

Xtank pressure check

you must chech the pressure in the tank WITH NO PRESSURE on the system side of the tank. That means that if there is no isolation valve, you must lower the system pressure to 0 and then check and adjust the tank pressure to the normal operating pressure of the system, then watch it for 10-15 minutes to make sure it is stable. If it drops, replace the tank. Then you must refill the system to normal pressure and make sure you get all the air out. If you're not familiar with these proper proceedures, hire a pro......an often used phrase, but well worth doing!!!!

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Boston Boiler

Tip

You must be asking because you think there may be a problem
and if in fact there is and you are determined to change the tank yourself rather than calling a pro here is a tip.
A water logged tank is heavy and when you are unscrewing it and the last thread comes off be prepared for a forcefull and unexpected downward drop, don't let that last thread catch you off guard. Also when the new one goes in tighten it with a wrench, NOT by hold the tank and turning it. Holding the tank and turning it works nicely but you can easily break the weld.
BB

hr

And if you are going to

change it out, or remove it, make sure the boiler is not up to 180° Hot and heavy is a really bad mix!

hot rod

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Firedragon_4

Great point rod, and

why I pull the Schrader valve guts out, punch a hole in the top and drain them first.

Once had an apprentice who broke his foot when a #60 landed on it after slipping through his hands!

John M_2

expansion tank size

How do I know the correct capacity expansion tank to get when switching from an old (and leaking) pressure tank to a diaphram expansion tank?

Firedragon_4

Here ya go:

http://www.amtrol.com/website/content.nsf

But you may want to have a pro do this.

DaveC

Sneaky tanks!

On the same job, I had 2 bad experiences with the tank replacement. First, the waterlogged tank slipped out of my hands and landed perfectly into the slightly larger diameter bucket I had placed below it - sending a column of hot, foul-smelling water right up into my face (as I admired it's descent). Then, the replacement tank split the air scoop, just as I made the final tightening turn (the threads felt loose, so I put several wraps of teflon tape on them - could that have caused the split?).

They feel so "beachball" light when empty, though! :^0

SRTECH

EXPANSION TANK TEST

ONE WAY TO DETERMINE IF YOUR EXPANSION TANK IS BAD,IS TO HEAT YOUR BOILER UP 10 DEGREES.MAKE NOTE OF THE PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM AND THE TEMPERATURE. THERE SHOULD ONLY BE A MAXIMUM OF 2LBS(PSI) RISE FOR A 10 DEGREE INCREASE IN TEMP.IF IT EXCEEDS THIS PRESSURE RISE IT IS EITHER BAD OR UNDERSIZED.IF YOU DO REPLACE IT A GOOD IDEA WOULD BE TO PUT A 1/2" THREADED BALL VALVE AND A 1/2"X2" BLACK NIPPLE ABOVE IT FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS.