Pig Tails

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simon_skove
simon_skove Posts: 85
in Strictly Steam

I took out the 0-30psi gauge that was installed with out a pig tail. I removed the gauge and intend to use this port for two gauges (put back the 0-30 and add a 0-3) tee'd off from a pig tail which would be screwed in first obviously into the boiler.

My issue is the pig tail does not clear the LWCO and I can not screw it directly into the boiler. Does the functionality of the gauges or the pig tail become diminished if I add a 6" nipple and coupling before the pig tail?

Thanks.

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Posts: 12,880
    edited October 2

    NO

    The reason for the pig tale is to create a water seal that will prevent raw steam (that is very hot) from coming into contact with the actual gauge mechanism. The pressure at one end of a 6" long pipe nipple is the same as it is at the other end of the 6" pipe nipple.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Ironman
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,978

    @simon_skove , post a pic of the boiler so we can see what you're dealing with.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,628

    The gauge you have may not need a pigtail. Does it say "Internal Syphon" on its face ? When you rebuild the gauge piping add extra access to facilitate inspection cleaning without total disassembly.

    image.png

    Also nothing special about a pigtail other than it is in the shape of a circle, its just a water trap.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    EdTheHeaterManmattmia2
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,628

    Often the LWCO unit is easy to temporary remove from the boiler for access to add the pigtail. The LWCO box assembly will disconnect from the probe (assuming it is a probe type).

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • simon_skove
    simon_skove Posts: 85
    A4F95A23-C24C-432A-8C4B-1A9799A0FFDA_1_105_c.jpeg

    Picture below is the "before" shot.

    706D41A2-F599-4F8C-A477-005015270BB3_1_105_c.jpeg

    The picture below is after partial disassemble and the 1 1/4 black tee show the skimming port.

    04F8DD03-E3F6-464B-9CCF-8633BEDC3DA9_1_102_o.jpeg

    The picture below is the "after" shot. Replaced 0-30 with new and added the 0-3. Skimming plug reinstalled.

    1BC7120C-8AE7-4A54-BFE3-74E36C58A009_1_102_o.jpeg

    If you upload the picture below you can just barely make out black pepper sized flakes of internal boiler matter.

    9FE8176F-748B-483A-B01F-B2FF266D4989_1_201_a.jpg

    In order to orient your self for the photo below, imagine you are a mini version of Woodstock from Peanuts and you are looking up at the bottom of the boiler. As the picture shows the are bright blue and, surprising to me, tall flames that give off the occasional red tip. How do I test to make sure my flames are not too big from too much gas pressure?

    F78589B6-C9AA-416A-A239-A2281DB0EBC3_1_201_a.jpeg
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,254

    if you make the water seal out of fittings, you can use tees with plugs as ells and you can clean it by just removing the plugs. @New England SteamWorks and a couple others with steam in their name like to do it that way.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,628

    What is going on here ? Is the boiler tapping crooked or was the pipe installed cross threaded ? Maybe it is fine but it looks odd to me.

    image.png

    The original gauge had an "Internal Syphon", no pigtail needed.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • simon_skove
    simon_skove Posts: 85

    I had a hunch all last year that the internal syphon gauge was working fine. So this means the system was struggling at 8lbs. the entire season…25-26 winter

  • simon_skove
    simon_skove Posts: 85

    And the left riser???? I figure my installer f'ed up and crossed the threads.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,254

    looks more like something with tolerances in the block vs the jacket and exactly how the jacket is sitting on the boiler.

    ethicalpaul
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,628

    The "Internal Syphon", means no pigtail is needed, however it does not mean the gauge is working correctly.

    8 Lbs is extremely excessive. The Pressuretrol should shut the burner off at about 1.5 Lbs. As far as the gauge reading, it is good to get a second opinion.

    If you truly had 8 Lbs pressure your system is running over 110 times the pressure of my system.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,978

    I bet that "internal syphon" is plugged. When that happens, as the gauge heats up it will show higher pressure than what's actually in the system. I always replace these with a proper, cleanable brass pigtail and a standard gauge. No more issues.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

    mattmia2Mad Dog_2
  • simon_skove
    simon_skove Posts: 85

    Pressuretroll pig tail was packed tight.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,628

    Here is a pigtail substitution method (@EzzyT install). Larger piping than a typical pigtail (should take much much longer to plug up) and plenty of clean out points without disassembling the base piping. It can be built with brass parts too.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,628

    @New England SteamWorks install.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System

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