Heating Help

CO monitor wired into appliance...

@ October 13, 2011 6:37 PM in CO monitor wired into appliance...

I was browsing through Kele's catalog a while ago and saw a line voltage CO monitor that had a SPDT output. I figured at the time that it would be a worthwhile safety control to wire in series with your limits; if there was a CO condition in the boiler room, the output can shut down your appliance and signal an alarm if desired.

Anybody use a similar control on any of their installations? Curious to know if there are any recommendations.

Keith

wipe

@ October 11, 2011 1:06 PM in Lead wipe on Long Island

Hi!

I just wanted to stop by and say thanks to all the people who replied to this thread on the wall or by email, and to the several people who called me and offered their words of advice and encouragement.  I'm very glad to say that I was able to connect with an older Union brother who remembers fondly doing lead waste lines in Brooklyn & Queens back in the 1950s.  We spent about 4 hours practicing over the weekend and I feel as if I have enough to go by to practice every night until the test, and pass with no sweat.

Thanks again to the wall and to all who offered their help.

Keith

wipe

@ October 9, 2011 7:28 AM in Lead wipe on Long Island

Thanks Bob... Manny doesn't teach the wipe anymore. I connected with an old timer who also took the test in the 70's, but his hands don't work well enough to actually sit with me and do a practice anymore. Trust me, I have all the tools in the world. In fact, I'm better prepared than the other applicants for this test - no one else for the written part even had an idea that this was part of the practical!

You are right that the LI test is a roll wipe which makes it a lot easier than the old NYC test which required you to splash your piece. I've been making pieces that pass my inspection, but I need to know that they will pass the examining board... which is why I'd like to connect with someone who really knows 100%.

Keith

wipe

@ October 8, 2011 4:24 PM in Lead wipe on Long Island

Please...

All of those questions are valid and there is no point to doing this - but I've resigned myself to just tackling the test and getting it over with. The fact is that the test is the test and you can't fight city hall.

Keith

Lead wipe on Long Island

@ October 8, 2011 4:09 PM in Lead wipe on Long Island

Hi!

I'm checking in on the main wall in hopes that a fellow Long Island plumber might be reading and could help me out. I'm gearing up for taking the Town of Hempstead master plumber's license practical part, and am beating my head against the wall trying to master the lead wipe. I have every tool imaginable, all the right material, and a lot of written material to get me to the point of the pour... but I can't get my technique down.

I'm not scared of the lead, in fact I've poured thousands of bell & spigot joints in my life (doing a lot of work in NYC schools) and have a great set of tools. If anyone local feels like coming down this weekend or whenever to my place in Floral Park, and can help me master this technique, I'd really appreciate it and make it REALLY worth your while.

Call me at 917 288 2415 if you'd like to get together. I look forward to hearing from you.

Keith

price

@ October 12, 2010 7:09 PM in prices

A lot of things influence price. Most of those things are the overwhelming costs that a contractor incurs before he is ever able to even set foot in your buildings. Remember that he has to take a top of the line machine shop, tens of thousands of dollars of tools, maybe $40,000 worth of material, and a top notch technician. . . and bring them to your building, so that your unique installation can function with a minimum of downtime.

Next time you have a problem with your unit, you should ask your repair company if they'll give you a discount to bring the boiler to them, so they can take a look at it in their shop. I'm sure they'll be willing to cut the price significantly.

Keith

water

@ September 24, 2010 6:09 PM in Added more water to system after ~8 months.....

Check your compression tank.

Is all your pipe visible? If it is, do a thorough check for leaks. If not, a little creative investigation may be in order.

EDR

@ September 22, 2010 5:36 PM in EDR ratings for Steel Convectors

I used to post online asking for ratings too. . . it became easier to buy the book EDR than it was to try to explain everything to people via the internet.

Pick up the book. It's a good buy.

Keith

Burnham

@ September 15, 2010 6:11 PM in What's the best oil boiler I can buy?

I've installed maybe a hundred steam boilers. Worked on more than i can ever count. A properly maintained block will not rot. All I install is Weil Mclain and Burnham. They're the best out there whether you choose to believe it or not.

boiler

@ September 14, 2010 6:54 PM in What's the best oil boiler I can buy?

The best oil fired steam boiler on the market is the Burnham Megasteam. I can understand that you're a little fired up at your defective unit, but it happens and the company is honoring their warranty. You didn't buy a lifetime installation anymore than you buy a lifetime automobile. Parts wear.

Keith

Steam

@ September 13, 2010 7:48 PM in Purchasing new steam boiler, need some input...

I'm not sure that plumbing skills necessarily telegraph over to steam expertise. . . and that's being polite. Just because the van says "Plumbing and Heating" doesn't mean the person is an expert on all things. Find a qualified installer.

Keith

steam

@ September 2, 2010 5:12 PM in Reconnecting Radiator - Silicone Tape?

All good advice clean the mating surfaces and use a good quality pipe joint lubricant. DON"T use a hardening sealant! Use something like Hercules' REAL TUFF, or the silicone lubricant as described above. Don't overtighten - you'll just peel brass away with the wrench. Just tighten it up, get your forearms working, and let the threads to the work. Check for leaks at first steam and then after a day of heavy use.

Keith

dope

@ August 28, 2010 1:21 AM in Thread sealant

Unless the guys are particularly messy there will be very little pipe joint lubricant in the pipe itself. Skim and you'll be fine.

Keith

King valves

@ August 25, 2010 3:52 PM in drop header question

Are those ball valves rated for steam temperature? And are they full port? I'd be afraid of decreasing velocity so close to the header. When I put kings in they're always gates.

Keith

FB

@ August 23, 2010 3:59 PM in Insulating pipes

1" thick fiberglass is adequate

trace

@ August 16, 2010 2:27 AM in Detective Work - Tracing Heating Circuit

Tap each line with a wrench. Have a helper with you.

Service/Efficiency Agreements - what are you offering?

@ August 14, 2010 12:04 PM in Service/Efficiency Agreements - what are you offering?

Just want to put a question out to you guys. What sort of annual service and efficiency agreement do you offer your customers? Without divulging price, what services and options do you include with your agreements? What have you found to be the best features, and what have you provided that you found didn't work out so well?

Thanks
Keith

online backup

@ August 12, 2010 12:38 PM in Guys, I need some pictures of bad installs

Yeah I use Carbonite for all my backups. It's $50 a year, so far it's worked great

Header

@ August 11, 2010 3:18 PM in Piping & Wiring Nightmare

Matt I like your profile pic. What do you hit your black pipe with? Glossy black spray paint? Or is that some other kind of coating?

Keith

lwco

@ August 10, 2010 10:17 AM in LWCO not working / Not typical use for boiler / ideas?

Add a 67

collections

@ August 5, 2010 8:15 PM in Need help with collections?

Now you're going to bring the evil side out in us by imagining what the revenge was. . .

Heat Load Software

@ August 5, 2010 8:02 PM in Heat Load Software

I've been using Slant Fin's Heat Loss Explorer for years, in addition to an Excel spreadsheet that I put together based on John Siegenthaler's formula in "Modern Hydronic Heating".

I was recommended to Wrightsoft's Manual J software. I took a look at it. . . it seems very powerful, and worth the price, but it has a heavy emphasis towards HVAC. Furnaces, CFM, etc.

What software are you using?

Keith