What Am I Working On? An abbreviated photo dump of the month's activities.

JohnNY · May 23

Troubleshooting and writing proposals is how I spend most of my time. The toughest part of it is switching gears several times per day between the multiple systems, locations, and clients.

The first picture is a municipal steam-to-water heat exchanger that provides hydronic heating to a church and food pantry in midtown Manhattan. They're overheating.
The second is of a Leonard mixing valve in Brooklyn. Water temperatures are inconsistent.

Third is an Aerco Benchmark getting too hot too quickly.

Fourth is an NTI high efficiency system installed by the irretrievably clueless.

Fifth is a duplex ejector system in a single family residence that needs constant attention because it fills with cooking grease twice a year.

6th is a high efficiency boiler installed with a back-pitched flue resulting in daily lockouts.

Last pic is graduation day for my Plumbing and HVAC students at The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of New York City's trade education program called Mechanics Institute. This is a big day for me at the end of every 2-year program.

Questions and comments are most welcome.

GGross · May 23

I love seeing your jobsite photos

Mad Dog_2 · May 23

Very interesting........Mad Dog

EBEBRATT-Ed · May 23

#1 The steam to water HX. It can't help but overheat where the sensor is located its not in the hot water.

I used to have to "switch gears" all the time. I think that is what caused my anxiety.

LRCCBJ · May 23

Last is a high efficiency boiler installed with a back-pitched flue resulting in daily lockouts.

I wonder if you might need a few more pumps on that one…………………….😉

JohnNY · May 23

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856252#Comment_1856252

Thank you! I’m glad to hear it.

Larry (from OSHA) · May 23

You look like the proud dad after the kids graduation from middle school. Great work John both with your students and all your jobsite work. Thanks so much for sharing.

mattmia2 · May 23

I feel like i have to visit the general society next time i'm in NYC.

PC7060 · May 23

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856313#Comment_1856313

I highly recommend; people, building, display and library are wonderful.

PC7060 · May 23

Wow, that is a huge ejector for single family home!

JohnNY · May 23

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856347#Comment_1856347

You can't imagine. The home is staggering.

JohnNY · May 23

Thank you, @Larry (from OSHA) ! Teaching isn't what I'm best at, but it's the best thing I do. Enjoy the holiday.@.

Steamhead · May 23

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856346#Comment_1856346

This. And when you visit, see if you can get @JohnNY to show you over the steam system.

Intplm. · May 24

I always enjoy your pics/posts.

That Leonard mixing valve. Inconsistent, fluctuating water temps are a sure sign of the internals gone bad.

I did a multi-building commercial project where we replaced many mixing valves like that with Symmons commercial-grade valves. They had the largest series mixing valve. I'm not sure, but I believe it was something like a 7400 series valve…?

The problems went away and stayed away. If ever there is a need to replace the internal thermostat, they are relatively simple to service with minimal downtime. And consider installing an inline round dial-type thermometer on the mix. It will give you an immediate and consistent read of the temperature going to the fixtures.

Again. Great post. Always enjoy your stuff.

JohnNY · May 24

@Intplm. thanks for all that. It’s much appreciated. Yes, we’ve learned the Leonard valve is temperamental and some seem to require a semi-annual rebuilding and o-ring replacement while others just don’t. I haven’t figured out why some are more vulnerable than others, but this one, when it works, performs better than the two 2.5” Holby valves sitting next to it.
It’s a 3-zone DHW system in a 25-story building so the zones all operate at different pressures.
Never a dull moment…

mattmia2 · May 24

you could probably get o-rings that are better suited for being in water with a disinfectant from an o-ring supplier, maybe that would solve the problem. there are very few compounds that deal with both water and the typical chemicals in municipal water well.

JohnNY · May 24

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856437#Comment_1856437

That's a great observation. Thank you. I'll look into it. Right now I'm buying rebuild kits 2 at a time,

hot_rod · 12:45AM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856439#Comment_1856439

try a LegioMix a self cleaning ball valve design

What Am I Working On? An abbreviated photo dump of the month's activities.

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