Heating Help

Paul, response to question

@ May 22, 2013 8:28 AM in Inspections needed on condensing boilers!

That is just our neutralizer assembly we fill with stone. There is a drain off the end of cap of that to a sanitary drain!   That tee is not part of any sanitary drain system. We put like 2# of dolomite limestone in the fitting we make. Works great. The plug on end is to clean it out. It is about 14" long, cap on one end cleanout plug on other. We drill and tap the cap end and thread in 3/4 pvc adapter then run to drain. There are 2 firetube boilers going into this assembly

Mark, re annual inspect

@ May 21, 2013 9:01 PM in Inspections needed on condensing boilers!

This is just over 2 yrs old and service annually by us, trap taken off and cleaned and tightened back on. Needs retainer!!!!  I am going to make some for the 60 or so we have out there that we service annually. I agree that the heat and cool down expansion probably caused this. This boiler runs it's you know what off, does pool and heating.

RE: washers seals

@ May 21, 2013 7:34 PM in Inspections needed on condensing boilers!

All in place in correct order. I have brought up to the major mfrs of this design boiler the idea of a built in retainer cable or pin to hold trap in place.  ? how do you trap it if you hard pipe it?

Inspections needed on condensing boilers!

@ May 21, 2013 4:14 PM in Inspections needed on condensing boilers!

See attached pic, I had brought this up to a couple of the mfrs that I was concerned about this happening. Found this one today while looking over some other work customer wanted done. Smelled gas in boiler room, go figure. Ps, this is a 285 wall mount, union was tight on trap also. They need to have retainer pin or cable to keep this from happening.

Hey all, looking for old cast iron feet supports

@ May 14, 2013 7:56 PM in Hey all, looking for old cast iron feet supports

Can't remember the name of the old cast iron fluted cups they use to use to raise up radiator heights. Really could use 4 of them, price not too important  if anyone has any or at least what name to find them under. For the life of me I cannot find any online. Thanks in advance, Tim

Re: copper pipe corroding

@ May 10, 2013 9:26 AM in Copper pipe pitting

I have done a bit of research on this and have found many times it was flux sitting in the bottom of the arc of the pipe and eating through the copper along straight runs of pipe. If the pin hole is right near an elbow in a recirc line then most the time it is velocity in the line and turbulence causing a was out more than likely due to poor reaming practice. Rarely is it electrolysis as many people would state back years ago I feel. Just my thoughts on the subject. 

Re: boiler choice

@ May 9, 2013 7:38 PM in Time to choose a boiler

Go with Triangle tube PT boiler. Great stainless vertical firetube condensing boiler, also you can drive to the factory in Blackwood NJ if something goes wrong :) .  The Lochinvar WHN boiler is very similar, basically the same heat exchanger design with their own control. Triangle was the first in this size range of boiler that had the vertical firetube and has been a great performer. have over 60 of them installed over last 7 yrs and very happy overall. Not to say nothing ever fails on them but overall solid.

Re: upgrades etc

@ May 8, 2013 8:45 AM in 1961 KEWANEE BOILER CONTROL UPGRADE

You might want to check on their annual useage for entire bldg and see if there is any energy efficiency grant money available from your utility. You might be able to make a case for a new High efficiency condensing boiler, maybe a Triangle Tube PT399 or Lochinvar WHN399 if that will meet the building load which I think it is very close to being able to. I usually see a 25% reduction in fuel bills when going from older firetube boiler to condensing. Just a thought? You could probably leave old boiler in place for now to keep cost down to help justify the change out.  

Re CBs and efficiency etc

@ May 8, 2013 8:15 AM in Power Gas Conversion Burners

We have done 100s of CBs over the years since the 1960s. Generally our combustion efficiency will be in excess of 78% and many times over 80. Old pot belly boilers, firetubes, cast iron sectionals etc. Reality is the thermal efficiency is probably only 70% on these pre 1970s boilers.  On modern day boilers we do check with the mfr to see if there has been any testing with gas guns. If not we tend to shy away due to liability. We still repair e20s, ds 20s, ds22s, F400s and 800s. Parts have become scarce for the old Economites but we come up with replacement boards through Robertshaw. Always a challenge these days although with mfr support having gone away on the old burners.  Just my .02 worth on this subject.  Tim

Re: installers and supplier

@ May 6, 2013 5:30 PM in Suggestions for frustrated and confused homeowner

Call this ph # (604) 903-4050
  in north Vancouver.  They are the local Triangle Tube distributor. Ask them who they feel are the most reputable installers in Vancouver. Tell them a little of your saga and I am sure they can help. We are big fans of Triangle tube here in Seattle. Been installing them for 7 years and have take some jobs out that are not much prettier than yours and turned them into a nice boiler room that actually works. Good luck. Tim

Re: your project and sharing

@ April 28, 2013 11:07 AM in A Steam Odyssey (Part 2): Midco Low-NOx Burner

Mark, this project is just too cool. I really appreciate your time in this and the sharing of your process and the results you are getting. If I had the time I would be a mad scientist all the time rather than just when the circumstances allow it.  Kudos to you and also thanks to Midco for this design and their involvement.   Ps, I would lose the blanket with this burner design as you should not see any impingement. Will be interested is if you see any stack temp drop if you do so. 
 The other boiler I would love to see this tried on is the Mega steam from Burnham, I know Steamhead would like that too.  Thanks again. Tim

Re: pics etc

@ April 26, 2013 9:11 AM in A Steam Odyssey: Midco Low-NOx Burner Oil to Gas Conversion Project

Nice looking repipe, also like your uss Enterprise control panel, the only thing missing is a interstellar out of phase gyroscope. Velly special.   Btw, I had talked to Midc about using that burner in some of our boilers and or new a few months ago. I am looking forward to hear the outcome. Good show.  Tim

Re; OLD BLDG

@ April 26, 2013 8:43 AM in heat pumps and old apartment buildings

Do you have a chiller also? No a/c?  Your most economical solution if heat and hot water only would be new high efficiency gas condensing boilers, indirect hot water tanks off boiler and use a external monitoring company who puts wireless useage sensors on the piping to each unit, they have tenants sign a billing agreement and they collect for this from the tenants for you. The charge for the service was not bad when I talked to one of my clients last. Other option to sensors is the external billing company basis useage on sq foot then no sensors. Not quite as equitable but still works and they get to deal with collecting this.  

Gateway plumbing

@ April 23, 2013 11:31 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

John, thanks for considering this. I know there could be hidden things we are not aware of on these jobs. I just thought if anyone could figure out, you could. I just hope there is not a hidden agenda but have to have faith sometimes.  Thanks again. Tim

Re: New york and proper licensing

@ April 19, 2013 8:52 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

Charlie, I was not saying that someone should go in and do the work but go in and assist with the diagnosis and remedy options. Then at least maybe she can get this fixed. I do feel for her that she can't seem to get this taken care of. 

Re: your boiler problem

@ April 18, 2013 9:09 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

I think one of our group here on the wall should make a trip up there. If I were closer than I am here in Seattle I would do it.  Maybe this is a good story for Dan to do on the trials of consumers in our heating world.  I find the lack of use of the golden rule to be such a travesty sometimes.  Dan??? any ideas. Or someone else from the wall able to go see this lady?  I think documenting a job like this would be quiite interesting for people to follow and to see what good minds and hearts do.   Maybe there is more to this story, but I see often enough the lack of good practices that fall short of  providing an adequate heating system.

Re: adjustment of Powerflame

@ March 29, 2013 11:26 AM in adjusting the air on a power flame gas burner

Best suggestion is to find a local well seasoned commercial burner guy to set it up and you be there to learn. Will be invaluable if you find a good teacher/tech.  Good luck, Tim

RE: New York boiler guy

@ March 29, 2013 9:46 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

Call Matt Sweeney, he is just across the way in Floral Park.  Looks like he is now working at Olympic Plumbing and Heating in New York. Great guy. Give him a try.   Also good option is John Cataeno at Gateway plumbing and heating. Not sure if I spelled last name right but  ph # (212) 980-0909      

ReL pump size and flow direction

@ March 28, 2013 9:25 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

I think it would help if you could get as many angles of pics of the boiler piping as possible. I would like to see what direction the airow is on that taco air scoop near back wall that has small brass air vent on it. The Green block looking thing back behind main piping at shoulder height. Get several angles.  Also, maybe someone will chime in on the direction on those taco 1 pipe venturi tees, maybe we can back track to boiler to verify flow direction. If flow direction is correct, I think a ups26-99fc Grundfos might be a good choice to replace black pump, try different speeds but again, depends on how much radiation is connected to that zone?  Snap close up of the fitting at ceiling below radiator in the one pic at top of post, it is that black tee fitting on left side of pipe going up to radiator.  Good luck, T

Re: pump size or flow direction

@ March 27, 2013 11:58 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

My best guess is that flow is reversed but also I think the black pump is serving the main system and the back green pump serves a basement zone maybe? It is a 3/4 line that heads behind boiler off green pump so I think that may be basement. The black pump I think would be to small for monoflow main house system which would explain lack of flow on top floor. Pressure on system looks ok.  I think it probably should be closer to a up26-64 or 26-99 Grundfos pump for monoflow. Just a guess depending on the size of the system which we don't know?

Re: flow problems etc

@ March 27, 2013 9:13 AM in Sandy still haunts my home!

what would really help is if you have pics of the old boiler also. We can then compare what it use to look like and what it looks like now.  Do you know if the black pump on side of boiler at chest high was original or is it new?  I feel the problem is one of 2 things. Pump is now pumping wrong direction for one pipe system or  pump is too small and they did change it.  See if you have pictures of the bad boiler installed. I think this will tell us all.  May the heat be with you. Tim

I directs

@ March 20, 2013 10:13 PM in Indirect water heaters

My go to's are superstor and lochinvar squire. Out of Appx 30 or so superstor's I have had one with weld failure, no other type of failures. Been a solid product. Viessmann a real good product but just not sure extra cost warranted. Just my take.