Steam Boiler Gauge Always Not Working

melo · November 3

Is it normal to have the boiler pressure gauge die like every season basically? Is it potentially a bad/poorly constructed gauge? I think this is my third one that doesn't work in 5 years. I need to replace it soon.

STEAM DOCTOR · November 3

Yes. They are typically not well made. Not sure that there is a good reason to replace. Depends

mattmia2 · November 3

what kind of gauge is it? a 0-30 psig gauge won't typically register the minute pressure of a properly sized boiler.

melo · November 4

here it is.

Also, is ut normal for water glass to have water disappear or go to the bottom limit with boiler running? Both boilers in 2 houses do the same.

STEAM DOCTOR · November 4

Looks like it could use a good cleaning

leonz · November 4

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/202515/steam-boiler-gauge-always-not-working

Changing water levels in your steam boilers are normal. Doing the normal maintenance for steam boilers is very important.

You should visit the heating help bookstore page and purchase several of Mr. Holohans well written books about steam heat, you will lean a great deal from his writing about steam heat.

Whoever sold you that gauge or the ones before this one should not have sold it to you period.

You need a high quality guaranteed "low pressure 0-5 PSIG steam pressure gauge".

You can purchase them from Marsh Instruments or from Dwyer Instruments through one of their retailers in your area.

I learned the hard way that chinese gauges cannot be trusted UNLESS they were manufactured in Taiwan.

mattmia2 · November 4

the water shouldn't exit the boiler

it looks like there is oil on the water as @STEAM DOCTOR alluded to which will cause surging, it probably needs to be skimmed.

melo · November 4

Is it possible for me to put something in between my boiler and my gauge to make the install a little easier in future? A way to bring it outwards?

mattmia2 · November 4

you could put a nipple and a coupler in there. i would also add a tee and a low pressure gauge that is maybe 0-3psig or ~0-50 oz/in^2g off the pigtail to the pressuretrol/vaporstat

melo · November 4

something like this is acceptable?

I would have the blue be the gauge, while the pressuretrol is above it.

Would the extra piping have any impact on the functionality of the pressuretrol?

mattmia2 · November 4

that would be fine. you might want to put a valve before the low pressure gauge until you get the surging sorted out, it could potentially damage the gauge, only open the valve when reading the gauge.

109A_5 · November 4

The gauge you are using is not labeled that is has an internal syphon. Its exposure to steam and the other water contaminates may be a contribution factor to its demise.

What you purpose would work, I just would not do it that way.

I like redundant opinions I would add a pigtail to that boiler tapping where the gauge presently is. However the pigtail becomes a maintenance issue.

The added pigtail will help protect the gauge.

Or use the correct gauge with internal syphon.

109A_5 · November 4

" Steam Boiler Gauge Always Not Working "

Even when the gauge is new do you see any reading on it ? Your normal system pressure may be very low (which is good) and may be hard to see on that gauge. My system runs fine at 0.072 PSIG which won't move that gauge.

melo · November 4

yes, when the gauge was new i did see readings on it.

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1870755#Comment_1870755

melo · November 4

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1870747#Comment_1870747

wait so I can another pigtail to the boiler? Basically another pigtail where the gauge is currently then put the gauge on the pigtail?

This is my setup now.

leonz · November 4

As 109_5 has stated the addition of a pigtail will create an issue where additional maintenance will be required to clean it.

You can purchase low pressure steam gauges with an extended bronze male thread adapter to avoid the need for a pigtail.

Jamie Hall · November 4

Do you really need the pressure that high? I very much doubt it. Try lowering the main scale to 2 and the differential to 1…

Also, if you add a low pressure gauge, you need to be aware that you ADD it. Your insurance and building codes rquire that a 0 to 30 psi gauge be in the system and connected at all times.

melo · November 4

how does this look? Added a stem of sorts to build the gauge away from the boiler and also got a winter 15 psi gauge.

Also what is the screw on the top middle of the pressuretroll? Doesnt seem to be doing anything.

melo · November 4

boiler has been running for 25 minutes and clearly has some pressure but gauge didnt stop picking up till later. Any reason?

mattmia2 · November 5

the boiler is still hot when the burner stops firing, it may continue to heat the water for a little while. look to make sure the burner goes out when the valve closes, they can stick and not close all the way or be slow to close.

leonz · November 5

Using pipe tape is never good because it affects the gauge's ability to correctly sense the pressure.

109A_5 · November 5

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1870906#Comment_1870906

I'd like to read an explanation of that. Since the tape just helps seal the tapered pipe threads, maintaining containment of the pressure.

mattmia2 · November 5

just don't put the tape on the first thread or 2

leonz · November 5

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1870911#Comment_1870911

When I replaced the chinese made junk that came with my coal stoker, The Marsh Instruments instructions were not to use any teflon tape or paste on the threads of the 4 inch Tridicator that I purchased from them because it will affect the gauges ability to sense temperature changes.

Steam Boiler Gauge Always Not Working

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