Sounds in My Boiler
- BigFoot
- Member
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue. Dec. 22, 2009 3:41 pm
- Location: 102 Marchak Lane Greenfield PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AA130
- Coal Size/Type: PEA
I changed the Aquastat (set 220 -180 10 Diff)water got a little hotter ,not as much as I would like ,did this last night this morning I had a bucket of water under my pop off on my water line next to my mixing valve . Watched it all today nothing , but I just went to check on it and all was good ,but I hear angry bees in my boiler never heard that before or didn't think so ,I guess its the water is this trouble ? (triple aquastat)
- lsayre
- Member
- Posts: 21781
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
- Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75
I'm assuming here that your boiler is at the typical 12 PSI. The boiling point of water at 12 PSI above atmospheric is about 244 degrees F. If your temperatures and pressures are accurate, are you sure you aren't just hearing the sound of the crackling coal?
- wilder11354
- Member
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- Joined: Sat. Jan. 29, 2011 10:48 pm
- Location: Montrose, Pa.
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Harman SF260 Boiler
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- Coal Size/Type: nut or pea, anthracite
- Other Heating: crown oil boiler, backup.if needed
Hmm if pressure regulator opened due to high pressure/temp I would change it, for 2 reasons.. I wouldn't want to trust it anymore, and it is the highest point in boiler, any trapped air in boiler from new make up water(disolved oxygen) will be right there at base of regulator in stem pipe. chenging releif valve and slowly filling boiler thru auto fill will remvoe the air thats in boiler in releif valve stem pipe, then screw in new relaif valve. Do this while boilers not at operating temp, after an hour or so of cooling down. No air trapped in boiler means no noise(hissing).
- whistlenut
- Member
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- Location: Central NH, Concord area
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AA130's,260's, AHS130&260's,EFM900,GJ & V-Wert
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- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Ford, Jensen, NYer, Van Wert,
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwoods
- Coal Size/Type: Barley, Buck, Rice ,Nut, Stove
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I assume you have a hot water system, if so it could be boiling and making that sound. I have seen it a few times before. I would ask why you want that high a temp on the aquastat for a hot water system? If the PRV is discharging, sometimg is too hot and or the pressure reduction valve could be screwed up. Any special water characteristics where you live? How old is the PRV? Have you ever exercised it in the past? The sounds you are hearing sure sound like steam is bei9ng created, and it can not withstand that psi, so it pops the prv.....good thing!!!!
- BigFoot
- Member
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue. Dec. 22, 2009 3:41 pm
- Location: 102 Marchak Lane Greenfield PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AA130
- Coal Size/Type: PEA
thanks for all in input havnt had any more water out of pop off and boiler temp is between 180 &185 ,I replaced my pop off this spring it was leaking , I was trying to get higher temp at the sink , the water comes out a little more then worn ,but I would like it to be a little hotter ,( I didn't think 220 & 180 settings would hure the boiler and give me a little more hot water ,It was set at 190 &180 with a Diff of 10% My water line go into hot water heater then to boiler then out to taps ,I also have a mixing valve in the mix ,(set all the way open to allow the most hot water ) my water is a little hotter then warm I would like it just a little hotter
Last edited by BigFoot on Wed. Nov. 20, 2013 6:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
- oliver power
- Member
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Sun. Apr. 16, 2006 9:28 am
- Location: Near Dansville, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: KEYSTOKER Kaa-2
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93 & 30-95, Vigilant (pre-2310), D.S. 1600 Circulator, Hitzer 254
Neighbor had less and less HOT water. Turned out, the water coil which goes inside the boiler was getting built up with minerals.
- Carbon12
- Member
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- Joined: Tue. Oct. 11, 2011 6:53 pm
- Location: Harrisburg, PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
- Coal Size/Type: Rice/Anthracite
- Other Heating: Heat Pump/Forced Hot Air Oil Furnace
Yup, sounds like it might be time to cook out the coil. How long has the coil been in duty? Do you have hard water?
- whistlenut
- Member
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- Location: Central NH, Concord area
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AA130's,260's, AHS130&260's,EFM900,GJ & V-Wert
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- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Alaska, EFM, Keystoker, Yellow Flame
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- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska, Gibraltar, Keystone,Vc Vigilant 2
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Ford, Jensen, NYer, Van Wert,
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwoods
- Coal Size/Type: Barley, Buck, Rice ,Nut, Stove
- Other Heating: Oil HWBB
I now understand what your goal was, and it has nothing to do with the boiler temp. Two issues are the only place to look, and as Rob and others said, the domestic coil might be clogged, and/or the mixing valve is compromised. If the mixing valve can be taken apart, you may be able to clean it out and free up its operation. I have not been that lucky in most cases, so I'd plan on a replacement. The coil in the AA can be flushed in place, however if you are feeling like you want to remove it, understand that those bolts are NOT going to come willingly. Start soaking them today and for a few days, A torch is the only safe method to get them off in the event you do need to remove them. You should be able to have any temp you desire at the sinks, remembering that 130 is on the high side, and 140+ is dangerous. Know where the shutoffs are before you start is a good idea. Most homes don't have enough or they may be 'leakers' also. Good luck!
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
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- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
I have been told that a few gallons of vinegar recirculated though the coil for a day or so can remove calcium deposits...but I have not needed to try it.