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how to create a false water line?

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Ken_40
Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,310
in THE MAIN WALL
does the system run at?

This sounds like it would have been one of the few "dropped header" applications that is required - rather than just something "cool."

Did you install a dropped header?

Comments

  • joe_84
    joe_84 Member Posts: 7
    how to create a false water line?

    Newly installed low pressure steam boiler on a one pipe system was installed at incorrect height. "a" dimension reduced from 32" down to 8". I installed condensate receiver with adequate steam traps, results in steam hammering throughout basement. Design in "lost art of steam heating" describes creating a false water line on a two pipe system, will a similiar design work with a one pipe system or is there any other solutions?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    how did ya

    How did you lose 24" of the space? Did you fill the pit? I say repipe the boiler..
  • joe_84
    joe_84 Member Posts: 7
    how much pressure

    max. 5 psi, no dropped header. boiler was originally pitted. Pit was filled in, new boiler placed on pad and saddles. Raising the water line approx. 30"
  • joe_84
    joe_84 Member Posts: 7
    how did ya?

    didnt install boiler, previous contractor filled pit installed new boiler on a 6" pad and 12" saddles, losing 24". Repiping boiler would mean to re-pit boiler room. Boiler is 100 hp. Reinstallation is financially unfeasible. Must search other means.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    is the installing

    Is the installing contractor still in business? Sue the contractor if you can, there's only ONE way to install/replace steam system.. The RIGHT way and there are books to prove the contractor wrong.. Best of luck..
  • Ken_40
    Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,310
    Lenny,

    start with the least expensive solution possible! DROP THE PRESSURE!!!

    The rule of thumb is for a 2 p.s.i. maximum steam pressure on anything resembling your configuration.

    You want the boiler to turn off at 2 p.s.i. and come back on (assuming there is still a call for heat) at 1/2 pound.

    If you can drop it to one and a half pounds for the "off" setting, try that too!

    After listening and observing for a day or two with medium load (moderately cool weather), get back to us on the reslts you see.

    We can help. The cost of re-piping for either a "false water line" or a dropped header may not be the only solution at hand, and the simple pressuretrol adjustments may make things better, if not completel satisfactory.

    Stay in touch, please.
  • Lenny_5
    Lenny_5 Member Posts: 2
    creating false water line/ Ken

    Bldg is 6 story requiring 4-5 psi to efficiently distribute steam.
  • Lenny_5
    Lenny_5 Member Posts: 2


    the contractor is still around, what books are available to use
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Like Ken said............

    2 psi max.is the rule. If you need more than this to "distribute-evenly", then you have other problems too. As far as books goes, there are all kinds available here!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    at top of this website

    At top of this website, there's "shop". "Lost Art Of of Steam Heating" aka " Laosh" and "You got Steam Heat" both of the books are good, esp the laosh as it explained all kind of problems when you filled the pit and lose the REQUIRED distance between the water line and steam supply pipe... Wondering what the contractor doing to slove your problem?
  • mike in pa.
    mike in pa. Member Posts: 3
    vents

    You mentioned a condensate receiver. Is this now a feed water system with an open pipe for a vent? Are all the end of the mains/ drip legs vented? Are the "return" lines consistently above the top of condensate receiver? If the line drops below the reciever you may need to put a vacuum breaker or air vent in the return line to help with flash steam and to "help" the water back to the tank.

    Make darn sure that if this is a feed tank to trap ALL the drips and end of mains!
  • Wayne_17
    Wayne_17 Member Posts: 24
    Pressure

    I am running a seven story building at 1 psi and have no problem heating it all.
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