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Why Don't Some Pressuretrols Have A Pigtail?

Tom_22
Tom_22 Member Posts: 108
in THE MAIN WALL
Why do some Pressuretrols sit on a straight pipe instead of a pig tail. Is either way OK? Is a Pigtail better? If so, why? For collecting sludge or dirt?

TomBk

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Comments

  • Big Ed
    Big Ed Member Posts: 1,117
    Pig tail

    A pigtail will collect a puddle of water in it's lower loop which would and protect the control from steam damage. Why don't some have pigtail ? Have to ask the installer...
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ a big fat dollar or two for a brass one Mad Dog

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Tom_22
    Tom_22 Member Posts: 108


    I'm going to change out the nipple to this pressuretrol tommorrow and put in a pig tail although it had a straight nipple and a T before, since it can't do any harm. (right?)

    This is on a big old residential boiler that must be at least fifty years old. I think its an American something or United something, I forget. Can't hardly read the nameplate.

    By the way, does anyone like to put a pressure gauge on the pressuretrol connections? How important do you consider that to check the actual performance of the pressuretrol settings?

    TomBk
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    Absolutely...try to get a gauge that reads in ounces too

    protect them both with a pigtail. Mad Dog

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Dave DeFord
    Dave DeFord Member Posts: 119
    My gauge is useless..

    because it reads 0-30 psi. The needle never comes off of the pin. Never quite understood why such a useless gauge was installed.
  • Unknown
    Unknown Member
    code

    the gauge must read two times what the relief valve lets go at.

    This is so that if the pressure rises above a faulty relief valve's setpoint, there is gauge enough left to indicate this condition.

    Noel
  • Dave DeFord
    Dave DeFord Member Posts: 119
    So I see

    said the blind man. Then I guess my plan to replace it with a useful gauge needs to be modified to leave the present gauge in place and install a useful gauge too! Thanks for the heads up!
  • James W.Stamo
    James W.Stamo Member Posts: 28
    where to get gauges

    You have a place where youm can get these gauges, because I need one for my mother's boiler, the people that installed the boiler gave my mother a busted gauge, I can't replace it because the boiler jacket has to come off and a whole bunch of other stuff.I have to install it on the pressutroll.Please post the make and the supplier of the gauge Thanks.
  • Firedragon_3
    Firedragon_3 Member Posts: 13
    Try here, all the gauges you'll ever need!

    www.gaugestore.com
  • Dave_23
    Dave_23 Member Posts: 190
    Example of two gauges

    See attached
  • James W.Stamo
    James W.Stamo Member Posts: 28
    why two gauges

    Why the two gauges? is the second one a backup ?
  • James W.Stamo
    James W.Stamo Member Posts: 28
    thanks

    thank you
  • James W.Stamo
    James W.Stamo Member Posts: 28
    Is that new type

    Is That a new type of pressuretroll above the two gauges.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Sometimes

    the boiler has a homemade pigtail . Take a look at Dan Foley's steam boiler under the post - Finished Steamer DF . I like to pipe the controls the same way when there is more than one , and also if there is a mercury controlled pressuretrol - theres no pontential of the pigtail moving when it heats up .
  • Dave_23
    Dave_23 Member Posts: 190
    Two gauges

    One gauge is the stock WM 0-30 psi, code-required gauge. Since the blowoff is set at 15 psi steam, a 30 psi gauge is required. The second gauge is 0-5 ounces to help measure vapor pressure in the system. The control device is a Honeywell Vaporstat, which replaced the original Pressurestat.
  • James W.Stamo
    James W.Stamo Member Posts: 28
    Vaporstat

    Is the vaporstat the newest version of the pressuretro?
  • Dave_23
    Dave_23 Member Posts: 190
    Vaportstat

    > Is the vaporstat the newest version of the

    > pressuretro?



  • Dave_23
    Dave_23 Member Posts: 190
    Vaporstat

    No, I replaced the pressuretrol with the vaporstat myself when I added the ounce gauge. The pressuretrol was stock on my WM steam boiler. However, my system runs at such low pressure, approx 1 ounce, that the original pressuretrol probably would have been fine as a safety device. Due to the low operating pressure of my system, the vaporstat never cuts out, nor did the pressuretrol. The Vaporstat just provides me with a bit more insurance.
  • Dale
    Dale Member Posts: 1,317
    Because of the codes

    You have a 30# gauge because the boiler and pressure vessel code requires it. Since you have a 15 pound relief valve the code requires that the center point ( most accurate portion) of the gauge read to the setpoint of the relief. It is NOT a good idea to remove that gauge it IS a good idea to install another gauge that reads for a 2 pound setting. Also in my building the system runs at 9 pounds for condensate lift. The boiler manufacturers aren't stupid so they install what's required.
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