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Another steamer with drop header

EzzyT
EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
edited December 2016 in Strictly Steam
We ripped out the 5 year old oil boiler in a 4 family home that started leaking do to leaks in the system that obviously caused the automatic water feeder to keep adding fresh rich oxygen water to the boiler and the lack of proper maintenance
We installed a Peerless 63-05L with 2 stage firing, Vxt metered water feeder and a Tekmar 279 outdoor reset control 5 Big Mouth vents at the end of the mains and 1 Gorton #2 at the end of a dry return.
Also replaced about 2"x45' rotting and leaking steam main and 11/4"x 35' wet return piping.Going back after Christmas to install the indoor sensors and insulate all the steam piping in the basement, all the exposed risers in the apartments Skim and wand the boiler.















E-Travis Mechanical LLC
Etravismechanical@gmail.com
201-887-8856
SWEIIronmanRomanGK_26986764589SailahRobert O'Brien

Comments

  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Looks Beautiful, as usual @EzzyT !
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    edited December 2016
    Nice!

    It looks like you tried one of hatterasguy's skimming caps?
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    Thanks Fred and Bob, I made my own, nothing as neat and clean as hatterasguys. It works great.
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    I got two from him that I'm gonna try out next week.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    It really does cut down the skimming time.
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    edited December 2016
    The piping looks great!

    One issue, though: Why do you mount the VXT on its side?
    To my eye, it looks like it should be mounted so the numbers and the writing read on the horizontal.

    It would be nice if Hydrolevel could improve on their already great design by allowing the solenoid valve to be reversed or mounted vertically, while allowing the numbers to be read horizontally.

    I've reversed the solenoid when I've absolutely had to, it takes a bit of doing.

    Annnd, it would be so perfect if the 120V units could be switched to run on 24V with a replaceable fuse in case ya screw up!

    I've even seen VXTs mounted upside down! Drives me nuts!

    But anyway, the piping looks first class! Cheers!
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    edited December 2016
    Gordo said:

    it would be so perfect if the 120V units could be switched to run on 24V with a replaceable fuse in case ya screw up!

    A moderately competent EE could handle that design change without breaking a sweat. Oh, and you wouldn't need a switch.
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    @SWEI :I've talked with the good folks at Hydrolevel about doing just that... several years ago.
    Sigh.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    another very nice install Ezzy.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    Gordo said:

    @SWEI :I've talked with the good folks at Hydrolevel about doing just that... several years ago.
    Sigh.

    Hi Gordo- Hydrolevel wont do anything to improve the vxt until they get competition. Least thats my theory. How about a remote digital display board that magnetically mounts to boiler jacket so orientation of feeder doesn't matter?
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • How do you spell dry steam? @EzzyT !

    Beautiful work!
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    @gerry gill : That's an excellent idea!

    What I was told several years ago by a knowledgeable insider at Hydrolevel was that they were already working on putting out one vxt that could be switched to work on either 24v or 120v.

    Too many folks were installing the wrong control and letting the factory smoke out.

    I asked about making the solenoid more easily shift-able and got less commitment for that request, i.e. not gonna happen.

    They are not likely to get competition until their main patient runs out. You would know better than me when that happens.

    McDonnell & Miller will then swoop in with their version.

    I remember not long ago talking with a M & M engineer and telling him how great I thought the VXT was and watching the anger veins pop on his forehead.

    Through gritted teeth, he informed me he was the one who designed the Unimatch.

    oh.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    lol, that must have been an awkward moment...
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

    Gordo