Hydrolevel VXT-24 Wired Backwards - Lights Up, But Does Not Auto Feed

Polarity matters on most newer 24 volt control systems for steam boilers.

[@rickstevens6787]

It's easy to get the hot and common mixed up at the LWCO. I drain down the boiler , put the delay on the feeder to 30 seconds and see if it feeds when it goes into low water condition. If it doesn't, switch the R and C at the feeder. Then set the delay usually for 8 to 10 min to give time for the water to come back to the boiler.

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Good proceedure. I usually look for the "period" after the zero to see if the VXT is getting the signal to start the countdown. On this unit, I didn't see that dot when the LWCO was triggered. I first thought either the LWCO was not sending the signal or the VXT was defective.

[@matthewbecker3674]

Thank you for the tip. As always, looking forward to the next.

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Thanks for watching!

[@scottk0623]

Nice tech tip. Thanks Gordon👍

[@gordonschweizer5154]

This one was wired by "others" in 2019 The VXT counter showed 042, so it must have fed, right? It must work, right? Close, but not quite. Turns out, the previous owner was using the push to feed button- which does work as shown in the video- and that's what showed up on the counter. This is the first one I've seen like this. The current owner graciously let me video this.

[@scottk0623]

@@gordonschweizer5154 I’ed of thought he would of thought something was a miss when he had to add water after paying for an auto feed? Can’t figure people out sometimes. Stay well

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Well, I'd didn't realize something was amiss at first, and I'm the so-called "expert", so I'm going to cut the fellow some slack. I'm not sure when this error crept in. Other people may have altered this system since the install before I got to it, and I was mostly called to get a convector heating again (bad trap).

[@bauhnguefyische667]

Interesting find. Reading those wiring diagrams, that get ignored with ‘experience’.

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Great point!

[@bauhnguefyische667]

Welp, Gordon I’m on a job playing coroner for everything you shouldn’t do with steam. Dry Fire, all safeties failed on a two year old steamer, except the smoke alarm. Gracious my new client is alive. Fire department estimated riser pipes hit 600-700 degrees, Burt pipe dope and section seals. Whoa!

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Whoa Indeed!

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Any idea why the LWCO failed?

[@bauhnguefyische667]

@@gordonschweizer5154 Miud, Locked burner LWCO in up position. Lower LWVO, probe type was dirty and failed to send signal to condensate receiver pump. Didn’t mater fill water was off and no Hartford loop. Flow checks on receiver were mudded and open. Boiler drained itself, stand pipe on receiver dumped at tap level to pit. That’s some great craftsmanship 😡

[@gordonschweizer5154]

@@bauhnguefyische667 A true cluster foxtrot!

[@gordonschweizer5154]

It seems that even if there was a Hartford Loop, it would not have been enough

[@ed6837]

Good to know. In the old days 24 volts was ..............whatever. Now it "should" come off the secondary of a transformer with 1 side of the secondary the "neutral" grounded

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Amen. I've been caught out more than a few times by not paying attention to 24 volt polarity. Like you said, the old stuff didn't care. The new stuff of a certain does!

[@realmadrid091884]

This automatic water feeder now they come with electrical tape on the solenoid probe and the screw to attach the valve to the box don't line up i have to use zip ties to hold it I had 2 similar problems .

[@gordonschweizer5154]

I'm sorry to hear you got a bunch of the "taped" series of the new VXT. They are troublesome. Did you happen to see a video on how to fix it in the field? I hope it was helpful. If not, please let the folks at Hydrolevel know you are having an issue. Their latest fix appears to have nailed that problem for good.

[@ramatraghubir1295]

How do u hook up 2 lwco on a steam boiler ny

[@gordonschweizer5154]

Hook them up in series. If one is manual reset, hook that one up to power first in line.