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1 pipe Steam???

Richard D.
Richard D. Member Posts: 32
in THE MAIN WALL
The ? is.. My son installed a new steam unit last week.2 boilers into 1..1st flr. 1 pipe to the rads. main Loop in basement returns to Hartford loop...2nd flr. 1 pipe main to 1 pipe rads.ret. from main....Prob#2.sales ZONED it..Zone 1 OK,then zone 2opens and sucks the boiler water up the return!!What is the best way to repipe it??a bypass to the ret. on 1st flr.??or boss want a bypass to both sides of the zone valve..(band aid)another band aid is a check valve BUT the problem is not fixed..I can notfind the info in Dans book,,Thanks Rich

Comments

  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    Need pics. to get a

    better image. Perhaps a sketch? Zoning residential sized steam is not for the faint of heart. You can hear the dead men laughing from afar...

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  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Hey Ken

    I ll post a pic soon as I see my son.. I did not see the job yet,,,will post tonite...Thanks....Rich
  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Hey Ken

    here is a drawing from what I was told.. #1 is now. #2 is it feasable??? when valves close the boiler pressure pushes the boiler water UP the return...I also told him to down fire a bit,may be overfired.valves keep boiler running while closing..Maybe a bypass relay to drop out the endswitch when T stat satisfied??? Return line vents are new...over 24" on risers!!! THANKYOU for your time..as this is a new one for me..hopefully I can get to job site to check it out,and will do photos.. Rich
  • Jim Bennett
    Jim Bennett Member Posts: 607
    vacuum?

    Is a vacuum created in the boiler when the zones are closed and the boiler not firing?

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Hey Jim

    It is either vacume or a pressure differental.. Not sure. still havent gotten to the job site yet..Yhe boss sent someone else.. But I agree it may be vacume.. I was told when the valves areclosed it shots upthe return.. I also think the boiler is overfired to the load...Boss had the tech install a bypass loop on eithere side of the zone valve!!!I DO NOT like that idea!! I think it is a smallband aid not a fix..My son is good at what he does( went from apprentance to Master Lead tech in 6/7 years) :) but new to steam..I gave him Dans Lost art book and several others for fathers day.. now if he reads them lol...Thanks for your input maybe I should install a vac. gauge on the boiler to test it?? Rich
  • Rodney Summers
    Rodney Summers Member Posts: 748
    Looks to me as if

    the possibility to pull a vacuum is indeed a place to start looking.

    Although I despise them because of the obvious things that are wrong with them, a vacuum breaker on the return(s) could help keep the water of the system in the boiler and returns, rather thahn being sucked back into the return/mains?

    Although, a decent Gorton end of main air vent should provide the same action...

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  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Hey Ken,

    Thanks I give that a try.. and yea I hate Vac breakers as well.. Ive seen some on jobs,,and well you no..lol...Thanks..for the help. Rich
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