Battery Powered Boiler

Matt_11

Every time we have a power outage here in the northeast and my heat goes off, I've often wondered if it were conceptually possible to run a steam boiler off a battery. There are no moving parts, only a thermostat to "call" and a gas valve to open. I realize the the low water cut-off and the pressuretrol also use electric current to function, but if one were to 'tend' the boiler during this type of operation, could it be done safely until the power is restored?

Constantin

Better Yet...

...put the whole package on a big UPS and the thing should run for hours, if it, in fact, only draws very little power.

The trick would be how to intertie it safely with a UPS. After all, the emergency cut-off switch, etc. should still function whether its on a UPS or not. Never mind the code issues...

Uni R

UPS

It could just simply get its power from the UPS. Most UPSs have the draw from the batteries and the batteries are always being charged until the lights goes out. When the main power goes out it just continues on battery power unless the battery goes dead before the power is restored. The only issue may be that some UPS units produce AC that may be more square in its wave forms and certain equipment may have issues with this, especially since this is the juice it will be getting 7-24. Another option would be some car batteries with an inverter and then switch over to it manually.

Dean_7

power

It could probably be done. However the last time my power went out (twice in two weeks for over 12 hrs each time) I bought a generator that can run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas. Piped it for natural gas and installed a transfer switch. Works great.

Pat_11

battery back up

I seem to remember a presentation at Brookhaven back in 2000 which talked about this. The idea being, as the boiler ran it charged the batteries and when power went out the batteries took over. The system worked, but was not cost effective for low volume manufacturing. Their system was trying to run an oil FHW boiler or furnace which required more elctricity. I'm sure it can be done, but can it be manufactured cost effectively in low volumes, and pass all the approval agencies?

Tony_8

Convert it

Convert it to millivolt. The pressuretrol is only a switch and doesn't care if it sees 24 or .5 volts. Change the LWCO to a float type (if yours is currently probe) and you're in !

Al Corelli - Agix Associates

Powerless boiler?

How about an old powerpile system? Just flip up the flow valves. At least you'll get some heat.

Before my Dad got his Viessmann, he had an atmospheric Weil Mclain. He had a spare powerpile control just for power outages.
Never did have to use it. Probably cause he had it. Gotta work with "Murphy".

Einsiedler_2

pumping

if the Boiler is running on battery power. What about pumping? is there a low voltage circ that will provide adequate flow?

??
EIN

Uni R

no pumping

This topic was pure steam...

Ron Schroeder_4

Hi EIN,

Yes, you can get low voltage circs. I run one on my heating system.

Ron

tim smith

battery back up

You can get a commercial grade back up battery bank with converter that would do the job, I would think for several days depending on size of battery bank. Tim

Nron_9

low voltage pumps

I am intrested in the low voltage pump for control for solar and geothermal systems , who is the supplier and manufacturer

Kal Row

read the rest = the ups solution is the best...

do it right at the boiler main switch, put in a double box, and put in a Ground Fault Interrupter outlet on one side hooked to the ac supply - now cut the socket off heavy duty grounding extension cord and wire it to the boiler main switch in the same box from a bottom knockout and using a "cord-grip" connector - now plug the boiler into the ups - remember to fasten down the excess wire with "strain-reliefs" (most locals don’t allow for more than 12" of floating pigtails – the “code” wants the wire to pull out if someone or something trips on it instead of getting hung up on something, and cutting and shorting and the shorter the floating pigtail, the less likely it’s going to get caught on something), plug the UPS into the GFCI outlet and "have a nice and code legal day!!!"

in nyc the code for workshops like an auto shop – doesn’t allow outlets, they want 14” or less pigtail sockets from the bottom of the box, this way if you drive out a car with the droplight still attached – it simply pulls out – so tack the wire downward with insulated strain-relief screw downs until, and as close, to the ups as possible, and if the inspector should complain, send him to me I will talk him to death he will run away

Ron Schroeder_4

Hi Nron,

Go to:

http://www.lainginc.com

Click on "DC Pumps" on the left side then click on "ECOCIRC DC PUMPS"

I am using the D4.

Another good series of DC pumps is the "EL-SID" from Ivan Labs Inc. They even make a DC pump/injection controller all in one unit. I don't think they have a web site but their number is 561-746-9760.

There is a link to their brochure at the bottom of this page:

http://www.lifetimeenergy.com/ivan.html

Ron

1solarguy

ups, inverters

If you're using an ups or a cheap inverter beware. They use what they call a "modified sine wave". This AC power has usually one or two steps on an otherwise square waveform as the polarity switches from positive to negative. This will overheat, mess-up, and possibly destroy sensitive (modern) electronics. If you want to run your controls circs,etc make sure you get a pure sine wave inverter. It obviously costs more to create a sinusoidal AC waveform, but probably less than all new controls etc. Don't ask how I know.

Rodney Summers

How to convert to millivolt?

tony,
How Do I convert my boiler to millivolt so that I can get ti to fire without power?

brucewo1b

Unknown

Concerning changing

a design piece of equipment to Powerpile. This is a violation of ANSI standard Z21.8 which mandates a dual seated gas valve on all heating. The powerpile valves are all single seated valves.

I also do not recommend homeowners or anyone else who is not qualifed to do this kind of thing.

There is absolutely too much freedom taken by many of you on the site here when it comes to recommending things to customers which create a liability.

You all need to have some serious discussion with your lawyers about how far you can go.