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Anyone use a sight glass float ball for quick reference?

Bodycount
Bodycount Member Posts: 39
edited January 2022 in Strictly Steam
Something like this. 


Comments

  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,524
    yes..On solar system tanks.
  • Bodycount
    Bodycount Member Posts: 39
    Can it be used in a residential steam boiler sight glass?
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    The sight glass with the heavy red line are easier to read.
    I think the ball might get hung up and be misleading.
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,524
    JUGHNE said:

    The sight glass with the heavy red line are easier to read.
    I think the ball might get hung up and be misleading.

    i have never seen on hung up
  • Dan_NJ
    Dan_NJ Member Posts: 247
    The first time I opened my sight glass valve to flush it that ball would be in the bucket.
    SuperTech
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    It wouldn't fit out the valve, you'd have to remove the glass. It doesn't bother me, but I don't really see the need for it...but then I have a small basement :joy:
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • AdmiralYoda
    AdmiralYoda Member Posts: 624
    I just have a line that I drew with a permanent marker. I have two lines....the "Fill To" line about 2/3rds up the sight glass and a line about a third way up the sight glass.

    If I'm not there I can ask my wife to check the sight glass and if it reaches the bottom line....fill it until it hits the top line.
    ethicalpaul
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    I don't see why you can't use them.
    I always thought they were meant for steam boilers.

    I went with this style glass.


    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    SuperTech
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Yes, the red line. Or hold your hand behind the glass.

    On a water clean up project from leaking UST at gas station, we were pumping water that was slightly tainted with oils etc.
    I put a clear tube sight "glass" on the 1000 gal holding tank and put a fishing bobber in the tube. The trace of oil would make the float cling to the tube.

    I am thinking a little oil in the steam water might do the same.
    Of course in theory there should be no oils left in a clean boiler. ;)
  • Bodycount
    Bodycount Member Posts: 39




    The boiler that’s been giving me stress is at a two family I own & maintain. 

    The image above is a Ring Wi-Fi camera, so can monitor it on my phone. 

    I like the redline glass but my local Wallington Plumbing only has clear and I bought 3.  

    I’m gonna order the ball & report back. 
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    edited January 2022
    I think the ball will work perfectly.

    But your boiler also looks like it's in desperate need of skimming

    Or not.  I see what you mean the water is higher than the dark area

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    Bodycount
  • Bodycount
    Bodycount Member Posts: 39
    Skimming. YES! Thanks. 

    I’m otw to pickup the hardware. I’m pretty sure it’s 3/4”.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    Bodycount said:
    Skimming. YES! Thanks. 

    I’m otw to pickup the hardware. I’m pretty sure it’s 3/4”.
    For skimming?   1 1/5" I think but it's been a while.

    The gauge glass I think is 5/8"
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Chris, 1 1/5"???....it has been awhile. ;)
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    JUGHNE said:
    Chris, 1 1/5"???....it has been awhile. ;)


    Oh boy.
    1 1/2".
     :o

    I've got a lot of numbers going thru my head 
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Bodycount
    Bodycount Member Posts: 39
    Definitely 1 1/2” as I brought everything else. 


  • CLamb
    CLamb Member Posts: 273
    If it's rusty water than is making the level hard to read you can stick a magnet to the side of metal rod on the side. That will draw all the rust particles to a spot near the magnet leaving the rest of the water mostly clear.
    Bodycount
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    But rust is virtually nonmagnetic. Also, a little rust in the water makes it easier to read, as long as it doesn't build up on the glass. I use a small black cable tie to mark the water level on my gauge glass. I tried painting it, but that wore off, then I etched it, but that was too faint. The cable tie works great.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
  • mygardenshed
    mygardenshed Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2022
    I put two o-rings around the outside of the glass. One at max and one midway to min.
    Sometimes use the lower one as a reference to see if things are consistent as far as water use goes.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    I just keep my water half way to 3/4 up the tube.

    Never thought it was precise enough to require markers.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,476
    edited January 2022
    I just put an index card behind the sight glass to make it easier to read.

    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