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Steam Problem Too Much Water and Hammer

Comments

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,309

    You didn't give much written information, or a question, but I will offer that the piping of that boiler is dramatically, almost comically, bad and even with perfect water quality, it may never perform acceptably.

    Most notable to me is the way way way too high hartford loop.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,918

    @ethicalpaul A Gifford loop?

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • bburd
    bburd Member Posts: 1,131

    Ditto. Whoever piped that boiler obviously did not follow the manufacturer's minimum piping configuration, size and material standards described in the installation manual.

    Piped the way it is, I would be surprised if it did not bang and otherwise perform poorly.


    Bburd
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,309

    No, a Gifford Loop is like 2" above the water line, not two feet

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,918

    Wonder why Utica drew it that way. Wierd.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • bburd
    bburd Member Posts: 1,131
    edited February 7

    Utica added a note: "Hartford loop from old boiler in wrong location for this boiler". I agree, it's easy to misinterpret.


    Bburd
    ethicalpaul
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,879

    I'd add that the piping is woefully inadequate. According to what I see in the manual that boiler is supposed to use both tappings, and both to be 4". I'm looking at a newer version of the boiler you have, but still what I see in those pics isn't anywhere close to that. I'm not even sure if the one riser shown is 4". That piping being undersized will definitely cause it to suck water out and hammer like crazy.

    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    delcrossvLRCCBJethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,309

    Yeah you can see on the view to the right the hartford loop is at the normal height.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,162
    edited February 8

    Hello creger.robert,

    Is the system overfilled ?

    How can you tell ?

    Is there pipe pitch issues (condensate puddles) where the hammer is coming from ?

    This may be a considered a Gifford loop on steroids. Does it hammer here ?

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,162
    edited February 8

    If you think your system has too much water in it, maybe the auto feeder is leaking (Red Arrow). Looks like there is two ways to turn off the water feed (The Orange arrows). Make sure the LWCO (Low Water Cut Off) is working correctly. If flooded, drain the boiler water the the proper level. Monitor the water level, although it may be hard to since that sight glass looks really dirty or the boiler's water is really dirty or both.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • HeatingHelp.com
    HeatingHelp.com Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 119

    @creger.robert, I've merged your duplicate posts into one here to prevent confusion. Thanks.

    Forum Moderator

    ethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,309

    I'm still waiting for Robert to tell us in more detail what he is experiencing and what his question is

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • creger.robert
    creger.robert Member Posts: 58
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,724

    From looking at the near boiler piping and water hammer and water. My WAG is the near boiler piping is wrong, wrong, wrong!

  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,985
    edited February 8

    gifford ?

    or false water line for previous boiler ?

    known to beat dead horses
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,162

    neilc I was thinking of a false water line too, but the wet returns, at least what you can see of them seem plenty low enough. So I going with a Hartford loop from a previous boiler (Snowman type) or just a goofy installer.

    Is there a height limit for a Gifford loop ?

    The OP's keyboard is broken ?

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,918
    edited February 9

    According to Gifford's paper, at least 1/2" above the LWCO WL.

    https://heatinghelp.com/assets/Uploads/HPACGiffordLoop.pdf

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.