How to set & adjust steam boiler pressure controls

In this video, I discuss the different types of steam pressure controls and how to adjust them. It goes into detail about what the typical settings are and the purpose for each type. I hope you enjoy the video and it shows you some things you never knew

[@boneypearson8185]

thank you Sir. will be following you.

[@boilerroomdetective]

Thank you I appreciate it

[@GotSig1510]

I have two of these devices on my residential steam system. I have the additive and subtractive controls. Exactly the two on your first slide.

[@boilerroomdetective]

Hope it helps you better understand them Thanks for watching

[@strikerj4810]

I got the L404F shown at the beginning of the video and the L4079B towards the back of the video. Both are on the boiler and its a low/high/off or low/high/low. Supposed to cut steam off at 12 psi, which I'm actually close pretty consistently at 12.5 psi. But want to get the boiler to to fire back up at 10 psi. However I cannot get the L404F to get programmed right. At one point I was fairly close, with a heat call at 9 psi and fuel call at 7psi, but its been all down hill after that. Any suggestions? I want to get some gauges and put on there with them but something ain't right. A few times I had to hit the reset button on the 4079b to get the call for heat to come up (showing less than 5psi on gauge when this happens and one time dropped to 0 with still no heat call).

[@boilerroomdetective]

When Im setting these up, I set the manual reset limit control for 15 psi. If it has a low high low burner, I set the operating control for about 1-2 psi above the firing rate control. I set the firing rate control for my desired operating pressures. For example, If Im trying to operate between 10 and 12 psi, I will use the following settings. Manual reset limit control is set for 15 psi. The operating control to shut off around a pound less. 13.5-14 with a 2 psi differential. The firing rate control is set to shut off at 12 psi with a 2 psi differential. Good luck

[@strikerj4810]

@@boilerroomdetective Thanks. Upon further inspection, removing the cover of the pressuretrol, the diaphragm was damaged, (which we had a broken part in shipping, but thought that was it). It wasn't sitting square/plumb to the brass female fitting below it. Thats why sometimes you could just touch it and it would start up.

[@sabbath7081]

It was a little bit nerve-wracking we worked in a laundromat that had a cleaver Brooks boiler running at 100 PSI plus for the clothes and stuff pressing or steaming whatever, packings on the large OSY valves were spitting and spraying steam over the top of the boiler.

[@boilerroomdetective]

Wow that would be scary and dangerous I hated working on a laundry boiler lol

[@2FrEsH4ya617]

What should I set my additive cut in and cut out too I live on the first floor on my in-laws house 2 units I have my own and she has her own but my water doesn’t stay hot for long I have it at 1 cut in 2 cut off right now

[@boilerroomdetective]

I would suggest checking the main air vent and radiator air vent if it's a one pipe system and the trap if it is a two pipe system on your in-law suit. The pressure setting should be good It sounds like you have air in the pipe

[@2FrEsH4ya617]

@@boilerroomdetective I turned it to .5 and 1 cut off last night .. I’m just trying to have my hot water in the shower to last longer it gets cold fast the heating up the house works good … 2 family house but other than the water getting cold quick in the shower I think it fine … the water level in the clear glass is about the low level line if you get what I’m talking about … do I just need to add more water in the tank if so how

[@boilerroomdetective]

@@2FrEsH4ya617 So the steam boiler heats your domestic hot water? I was bit confused. Not sure why that would happen. It could be the water temperature control or the heat exchanger is scaled. Perhaps you can get on HeatingHelp.com and find a good service tech in your area.

[@2FrEsH4ya617]

@@boilerroomdetective all set I called the company that came and fixed my radiators cuz it was fine until after they fixed my radiators but they came fixed for free I wasn’t home my mother in law was so she knows what they did I’ll ask and post it

[@greekmaster1001]

New subscriber here

[@boilerroomdetective]

Welcome!!

[@greekmaster1001]

@@boilerroomdetective thank you I have a question for two Pipe system Steam on a small house with a 109,000 BTU boiler and 12 radiators where would you recommend the settings?

[@boilerroomdetective]

@@greekmaster1001 I would set it for for 2 psi If its an additive pressuretrol, set the cutting for 1/2 and the differential for 1 1/2 psi Good luck