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Hurst Boiler not getting up to steam, pressure issues

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zancer
zancer Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 1
edited October 2021 in Strictly Steam
Hi, we have a Hurst ABC-1000 natural gas boiler that is not getting enough steam. We had our boiler technician come down and confirmed we do not have enough "volume" in our gas lines. We soap tested all of our pipes to see if there are any leaks but no leaks. THe boiler technician says we do have enough "pressure" but we cannot find anything that is causing the drop in pressure.

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  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,847
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    soap tested. 
    What’s the standing pressure?
    Whats the operating pressure?
    Whats both readings at the meter?
    mattmia2
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,286
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    A number of things can cause "not enough pressure" -- but leaks isn't one of them.

    Inadequate pressure in the gas main at the street. Inadequate pipe size of the lateral (or kinking of same if excavation has been done nearby-- very dangerous). Sticking or faulty house regulator. Partly closed valves. Inadequate piping from the meter to the appliance...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    mattmia2pecmsg
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited October 2021
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    (or a different list if this is lpg like too small a tank for the climate, either regulator bad, tank empty.),,,but i see you said natural gas.
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,580
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    Run your boiler at high fire and clock the gas meter.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,646
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    The meter measures volume. If your pressure is low you will measure more volume but have transferred much less mass of gas through the meter so in order to have an accurate measure of the amount of gas that flows through the meter you need good regulation of the pressure.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,524
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    @zancer

    You need to find out the required gas pressure is at the inlet to the burners gas train.

    Since Hurst is a commercial boiler it could have been ordered for any gas pressure. 12" wc, 1/2 a pound 2 pounds 5 pounds etc

    If you cant find that information call Hurst with the model and serial # and they will tell you.

    Then, put a gauge on the gas line where it enters the burner gas train upstream of the burners gas regulator. Turn the gas on , start the burner and see what you get.

    You gas service need to provide that gas pressure when the burner is on high or low fire
    mattmia2
  • retiredguy
    retiredguy Member Posts: 905
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    What is the actual model number of this boiler? What is the rated gas input, incoming gas pressure, size of the gas line. Can you post a picture of the boiler in question.
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,478
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    Years ago I had the gas company down to check my gas because I thought the pressure was low. They came down and verified i was not getting 3.5" of gas at the boiler. They reamed out the gas pipe to the street, there was a lot of rust in the line, and said they would be back.

    The next day they were back and ran a new line from the gas main to the meter in the house.

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • dopey27177
    dopey27177 Member Posts: 887
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    The best advise came from Bob C. Call the gas company and check out the service pressure.

    Jake
    Steam: The Perfect Fluid for Heating and Some of the Problems
    by Jacob (Jake) Myron
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
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    Or if you have a block--vent--block gas train; with the 2 main operating gas valves with auto venting between when the MV's close.
    It has happened that the vent solenoid is passing gas, (hopefully thru the roof outside) and your pressure is dropping because of this. FWIW

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