Heating Help

Trunk Monkey

@ February 11, 2010 9:04 PM in Want A Giggle?(OT)

I need to get one of these ! Thanks Dave those clips made my day !

F & T trap idea

@ January 17, 2010 8:42 PM in adding a high water cut-off?

I don't think an F & T trap would work due to the relatively small size of the drain. I believe it would have an extremely difficult job in keeping up with the volume of water, unless you were to use a HUGE  F&T (which would probably be cost prohibitive).  Just my opinion.

Found another article

@ January 17, 2010 8:28 PM in Hot water baseboard on steam system

http://www.heatinghelp.com/heating_howcome6.cfm

Found 1 article

@ January 17, 2010 8:18 PM in Hot water baseboard on steam system

Try this:http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/11/Hot-Tech-Tips/201/Hot-water-zone-off-a-steam-boiler

water level rising

@ January 14, 2010 7:27 PM in weil mclain steam furnace

If you definitely have a steam boiler [not furnace :)], which I assume you do,as evidenced by the gauge glass, the answer is no.  A steam boiler generally runs about 1/2 full on the gauge glass, but it can vary.  I would  check to make sure your fresh water feed, or auto feeder isn't overfilling the boiler.  You could possibly have a problem with a leak on a domestic hot water coil if your boiler also supplies your domestic hot water needs.

Clearification

@ January 9, 2010 8:22 PM in Oxygen Content?

If you mean the unit containing the compressor outside, no it shouldn't have any effect on oxygen content. However, if he doesn't have a form of back-up heat, he may become extremely uncomfortable, depending on how cold it is. But if you mean an ERV or HRV there could be a drop in oxygen content.  

Purpose of the dye

@ January 1, 2010 11:20 AM in Color for water

I assume from Charlie's post, that the purpose of the dye is to view the waterline easier in the gauge glass.

Pressure switch news from York

@ December 31, 2009 4:57 PM in Variable speed scorched air furnaces

SIMILAR SWITCHES ON LUX,COLEMAN.



SERVICE INFORMATION

Unitary Products

5005 York Drive

Norman, Oklahoma 73069

1/8778747378

Date: February 5, 2009 YS00209

Revised

To: All York Distributors

All York Branches

All Field Service Supervisors

Subject: Pressure Switches PC9, PM9

We have received several product reports regarding pressure switch problems on the 40”

modulating 95% furnaces. (Switch P/N S102435308000/

SAP# 157719 upflow models &

S102435324000/

SAP# 160209 downflow models)

Investigation into these issues and analysis of field returned switches have shown that the

fault code 3 is caused by high contact resistance on the electrical contacts within the

pressure switch. On each ignition cycle, the modulating furnace control ramps the draft

inducer blower up and down and verifies the pressure sensor and switch operation by

comparing the switch opening and closing points, as measured by the pressure sensor, to

the proper switch set point for that furnace model. If the electrical contacts within the

pressure switch body become contaminated with a foreign material, the switch may close

mechanically but may not close electrically at the calibrated set point, causing the control

to detect a pressure switch that is open when it should be closed. This will result in a 3flash

error code, and the furnace control will not continue the ignition sequence.

To address this problem, the switch supplier has made a recent change to the switch

construction to add an industrial contact lubricant that prevents contamination from

adhering to the electrical contact surfaces. Testing has shown that this makes the contacts

many times more resistant to contamination by foreign substances. Pressure switches

with code dates of 0309 (third week of 2009) will have this new construction. Source 1

should begin to have a limited supply of the new switches available for shipment by

February 6 th .

The contact contamination problem will not affect any of the NG33 models, even those

without the contact lubricant on the pressure switch contacts. The contamination on the

contacts is usually silicone carbide, the source of which is the silicone hose connected to

the switch. Silicone molecules outgas from the hose and migrate to the switch contacts,

eventually affecting the electrical connection. On the NG33 models, which do not have

closed burner boxes, there is no silicone hose on the side of the pressure switch in which

the contacts are located, and so there is no direct source for silicone contamination. The

problem will also not affect previous singlestage

or twostage

models, since those

models do not have pressure sensors that compensate for vent length and firing rate so

they always provide a pressure level that insures the contacts are cleaned mechanically on

each cycle.

This YS letter will provide a replacement pressure switch and one hour labor at the

dealers registered DOA labor rate. Due to the nature of this issue, we recommend that the

dealers replace the switches now, instead of waiting for them to fail. Make sure you

reference the YS letter number when filing claims for this issue.

For any units in distributor inventory, this YS letter will allow for replacement of the

pressure switch along with a fair and reasonable allowance. Contact Mark Freund at 4054196609

for prior authorization to submit the billing for reworking your inventory.

For repair parts in distributor inventory, contact your Source 1 account representative for

a Return Authorization of switches with code dates prior to 0309.

Mark Freund Robert Cabrera

Mark Freund Robert Cabrera

Manager, Residential Field Service Director, Indoor Products Engineering

brass piece

@ December 27, 2009 1:59 PM in wye strainer?

That looks like a check valve (swing check). I don't see any strainers.

Response re: pressure switch

@ December 21, 2009 8:18 PM in Variable speed scorched air furnaces

Thanks for the input guys, but due to me working out of town at the time, I was unable to actually make the repairs myself.  I just posted what happened so there was a disposition on the post.  After informing my buddy what the service manger said (leading me to believe it's a known manufacturing defect) he contacted a local residential York dealer, who came out and verified that it was in fact the differential pressure switch. Please don't think that I would just swap out the switch without first verifying the actual pressure readings. I carry an inclined tube, slack tube as well as a digital differential manometer on my truck. Unfortunately due to my buddy working midnights and me having to work out of town, there was no way I could pick up parts and make the repairs in a timely manner. One thing that did surprise me was the disparity  between part prices the OEM switch was $7, universal replacement switch (adjustable for actual setting) was $40-50.  Is it really any wonder why they seem to be failing ? :)

Riser heigth

@ December 19, 2009 11:20 AM in Noisy one pipe steam system in Pittsburgh

Dave-O, what he's referring to is the fact that if the riser isn't the proper height, water can remained entrained in the steam, making for what the pro's refer to as "wet steam". The steam needs that riser height to allow the water droplets to drop out of the steam. That water which remains in the steam can cause a whole host of problems, including water hammer.  If you don't own a copy of  "The Lost Art of Steam Heat" I'd strongly recommend that you get a copy. It will help you understand your system and possible problems with it, much more.   

Good news

@ December 7, 2009 4:41 PM in Variable speed scorched air furnaces

I called the local York parts depot and realized that I knew the branch service manager through RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society). I left a message for him to call me which he did promptly. After speaking with me for 2 minutes, he advised me that the problem was the pressure switch.  After replacing the faulty pressure switch, the heat was back on ! The worst part of the whole ordeal was attempting to get the warranty part from York (I don't work for a York dealer) ! Now my buddy has to see about getting his money back from the original service contractor for their obvious misdiagnosis.

variable speed furnace woes

@ December 6, 2009 8:13 PM in Variable speed scorched air furnaces

In response to your questions Tim, the furnace is a York Infinity variable speed, natural gas fired. I haven't  been over yet to critique the installation.  I do understand what you're getting at in regards to problems with installs.  I myself have always strived to be the consumate professional in regards to installs I've done, checking gas pressures, temperature rise, duct sizing, etc.  From what I gathered from the homeowner, the service company who responded really wasn't clear as to how much the final price would be.  They also seemed elusive as to whether or not the parts would be covered by warranty.  The tech said something about the board not putting out the full voltage to the blower or the induced draft motor.

dry contact

@ December 6, 2009 7:19 AM in Taco Zone Valve Controllers

It looks to be a dry set of contacts; that is, there isn't any power supplied from the board going to the contacts. As Eric said, it's just a switch, which completes the circuit, turning the circulator on.

Variable speed scorched air furnaces

@ December 5, 2009 10:44 PM in Variable speed scorched air furnaces

I was wondering what other wallies thought of the variable speed forced air furnaces ? Are they really worth it ? Seeing that I do exclusively commercial and industrial HVAC (and work for one of the big three manufacturers) I only seem to hear horror stories.  I'd think that the problems with ECM motors have been solved.  I was just planning on installing a V.S. system for one friend, when I hear that another friend was just quoted $1600 for a fan board and squirrel cage replacement on a 3 yr old system.  Wouldn't a 3 yr old residential systems' fan board and squirrel cage still be covered by warranty ? Any insight / thoughts would be appreciated.

Probably not a good idea

@ October 31, 2009 9:50 PM in 6 cu. ft. outdoor chest freezer

If you plan on leaving a running freezer outside, you run the distinct possibility of "slugging" the compressor.  By slugging the compressor ,I mean trying to compress liquid refrigerant, which will damage the valves.  At the very least I would try and install a crankcase heater on the compressor to ensure that refrigerant doesn't migrate to the compressor during the off-cycle.

Don't forget airflow !

@ October 25, 2009 3:11 PM in AC basics

Another thing to check is airflow inside. I f you have an extremely dirty filter or a bad motor or belt, or if it was run without a filter for a long time, this will also manifest it self with similar symptoms.

Thanks Jamie

@ October 24, 2009 9:00 PM in Stay with one pipe ?

Thanks for your input, Jamie, I appreciate it !  Yes, I do own most of Dan's books, but I'll be adding to the library with this job, because I'm going to pick up "Every Darn Radiator".  After I do a heat load,  I want to  make sure that the load matches the boiler (my brother-in-law  might have taken out a radiator years ago). And yes, being a pipefitter by trade I'll be putting in the riser with steel pipe and cast fittings. Having concentrated on the refrigeration end of the industry the last 10 yrs, I've been out of the loop as far as boilers go, do you have a preference as far as boilers go ? Do they make a high efficiency steamer ?

Stay with one pipe ?

@ October 24, 2009 10:31 AM in Stay with one pipe ?

My sister and brother in law, who have a one-pipe steam system are looking to possibly swap out their old boiler (approx. 30 yrs old).  I have concerns with the integrity of the piping, due to the age of the house (circa 1924). I was just wondering if I would be better off  removing the old piping and installing a hot water radiant system.  Obviously the allure of running pex is more appealing to me than replacing all the old steam piping (finished drywall ceiling in the basement,etc).  From an energy standpoint wouldn't a hot water system be more efficient ? As this would be a "no-pay" for me I would obviously like them to obtain a "Cadillac" system. Home is approximately 1800 sq ft, two stories, with newly finished basement (not heated, yet) and they do utilize a room in the attic. Any comments or input would be greatly appreciated,

Detroit fitters/ service

@ March 16, 2006 8:55 PM in Union -Pipefitter question

No difference in pay between fitters and service in Detroit