Steam Pressure Control

Hi all-
Having a weirdness with the steam system. The other day, went to click on the thermostat and no heat. In the basement, I noticed a rusty clog in the sight glass. Cleaned it out and it was still intermittently firing.
Called the plumber $$$, who cleaned the same sight glass, and also the 2 valves. However, when he finished, he couldn't get it to fire up...jumping the stat caused the relay to click but nothing else...told me he wasn't an electrician...
And he left!!!
So, I replaced the thermostat, still nothing, and had to hit the switch inside the honeywell pressurestat to get it to fire up. that worked, but now the heat doesn't stay on for long, and the thermostat seems useless...but if I either tap the casing of the pressurestat or in some cases open it up and physically activate the switch, the heat kicks on and it's great...for a little while.
Any ideas? I've called twice to get someone back, but to no avail...is this an adjustment that has to be made or...?
HELP!!!!!!!!
thanks,
Mike

 

Hello Mike. Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic & the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.

I am not a boiler tech. Therefore, I moved your question in the heating and cooling forum topic. Our resident boiler heating professionals will provide you with the help needed.

Please excuse the delay in moving your question. I had not access to a computer for the last several days. Been at sea.

 

thanks...we'll see who responds!
I still think the pressurestat has to be changed...
Mike

 

Need more INFO here just what do you have oil or gas. Auto low water fill, low water cut off on this boiler? Then we can help ED

 

I suspect that the control is OK but the pipe leading to it is clogged with mud. If you have a pigtail which is a piece of pipe bent in the shape of, guess what, a pigs tail, you can take it off and clean it out. The pressuretrol should be right on top of the pigtail. If you just have a straight piece of pipe leading to the pressuretrol, the mud may be inside the control. That could be more difficult to clean but still possible. Whatever you do, don't raise the pressure setting on the control. You will cause more harm than good. It should be set very low like at 1psi with a .5psi differential. Post back with any further questions.

 

It's gas. Auto low water fill, auto low water cut off on the boiler.
...yup, got a pigtail....
How do you clean a pigtail properly?

Also, isn't the pigtail a gas line??? If so, how does the mud "cross over" from the water side to the gas??? Just wondering.
thanks much folks!!!
Mike

 

The pigtail is a piece if 1/4" pipe bent in a loop that leads from the top or upper front of the boiler to the steam pressure control. It allows the pressure control to sense the steam pressure in the boiler but doesn't allow contamination to reach the control. It is nowhere near the gas lines nor is it the same size. The pressure control is most likely a Honeywell control about 3" square with a grey cover and a vertical scale and a small pointer to indicate the setting. Please make sure you have properly identified the steam pressure control before taking anything apart. To clean the control or pigtail, iot needs to be removed and rinsed with water. In the case of the pigtail, you can probe it with a stiff wire. Don't go inside the pressure control with a wire or you may damage it.

 

Thanks! The pressurestat (yes, 3" grey Honeywell) was clogged with more mud than a Georgia swamp!!!!
Picked up a new one...problem solved!

BTW, I'm a licensed alarm guy if anyone needs help in that area.
thanks again,
Mike

 

Rohrbacher check out the next line down thats Electronic Alarms
look at it you can help there , If you like ED

 

Good job. Did you match the setting on the new from the old? They come through set way too high. You probably want the diff erential (small wheel inside) set to 5, and the pointer at 1psi.

 

i have it set at 4, and at 1...boiler is from '99.
Was set at 9 from factory!!!!!!!
thanx

 

I have never did a job that required more than 2 psi and 99% of them get set at what I told you before. You can do what you want but I would recommend the 1psi setting. If you have any troubles, suspect that first. If a steam vent closes after a radiator is hot, and there is 4psi on it, it cannot re-open. The pressure holds it closed. That radiator won't get heat until the next heating cycle. There are all sorts of problems that stem from high pressure. Go over to www.heatinghelp.com and browse there for more info on pressure settings.

 

off to adjust.....
mike