Water Feeder on Steam System

Ken_40

Most feeders are triggered by the LWCO "sensor" end switch. They allow the water to get EXTREMELY low, before giving the boiler a drink; typically within 1/4" of the absolute dead lowest safe water level, typically ~1/2" from the bottom of the gage glass!

Feeders can be a good or bad thing. Good if you leave town for a week or more in winter, bad since system leaks will be "masked" by the automatic nature of the device. If there was a blown rad vent, main vent or internal boiler leak, the feeder would just mask it by adding water daily, hourly, etc.

A well performing steam system should NOT need a drink (going from the bottom third of the gage glass to the upper third of the gage glass) more than once a month in spring and fall, a or more than once every two weeks in the dead of winter. With an automatic feeder, unless turned off, this rather essential information is unavailable.

If you are draining the boiler of a gallon or so, more than once every two weeks, STOP! Blowing down the LWCO SHOULD be done every two weeks AND DONE WHILE THE BOILER IS UNDER PRESSURE (firing!) This steam cleans the LWCO chamber which is the most important safety device on the boiler, far better than cool water drool-outs into a bucket.

Hope this helps.

Brian_51

Water Feeder on Steam System

I have a steam steam with an oil fired float-type boiler. I also have an automatic water feeder. In the past I would periodically flush the water and at tines, the water feeder would kick on and replenish the amount I just took out. A few days ago, I emptied some of the water for the first time this year, however the automatic water feeder did not kick on. Now the water level in the glass is only about a quarter full instead of the usual half to two thirds. Can I hit the feed button on the top of the feeder to replenish the water level (should the boiler be off when I do this)? How bad is it that my boiler has run a few times with this low water level? Does mean my water feeder is not properly functioning?

Thanks in advance,
Brian

Charles G.

Water feeder

In regards to the safety of running the boiler @ existing water level: it is safe/unsafe depending on whether or not the LWCO is actually doing it's job. While blowing down the control while the boiler is running, eventually the boiler should (MUST) shut off. If so=safe. If not, get the tech out there NOW. The LWCO will control the water level in the boiler and what that level is is not terribly important as long as it's visible in the gauge glass. Once the water drops out of sight on the glass, it's time for the feeder to kick in and/or the boiler to shut down. And yes, you can feed water manually via the button, but if all is working well, why bother? If not, don't push 1 button, push 7--on the telephone.

Brian_51

Guys-

Thanks so much for the feedback. Your information is very helpful - I feel much more comfortable with the system now.

Best,
Brian

Steamhead (in transit)

I agree with Charles

sounds like the LWCO is stuck, and needs replacing. Get this done NOW or you may lose your boiler. You can locate a steam pro on the Find a Professional page of this site.

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[Deleted User]

over filled boiler

I was servicing a customers oil burner when he told me the boiler overfills, I flushed the lwco the burner shuts down when the water level is above the safe line on the lwco about 5/8 in the gauge glass the delayed water feeder feeds water in and floods the boiler. There is a check valve in the wet return don't know if it should be there?
Any help would be great.
Thanks

Steamhead (in transit)

Replace the LWCO

and get rid of the check valve. Does the boiler have a Hartford Loop?

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Ken_40

Steamhead's right!

Remove the check and make sure the system never sees anything over 2 p.s.i MAX! If it is higher, the check was an incorrect "fix" for wild flooding and/or priming and surging.

If by chance it's a vapor system, half a pound is the correct pressure max...