StevenT Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 I'm guessing it is some condensation drain. I'm not sure if is homemade or supposed to be there. In my memory, I think I've seen drains on fan assisted systems, but they didn't look homemade. Image Insert: 61.12 KB Image Insert: 58.99 KB Image Insert: 53.16 KB
kurt Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 That looks homemade to me. Where does the vent go, i.e., does it extend to the exterior for any appreciable length?
StevenT Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Posted November 19, 2007 The outlet is very close. About 3' rise and 3' out. All stainless steel. I do notice the pitch of the pipe coming out ofthe boiler to be a wee bit negetive. I'm wondering if condensation has been a problem. Now that I think about it, the outer pipe is not cut or capped. Perhaps rainwater is/was a problem? Image Insert: 43.64 KB
Neal Lewis Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 The vent is under pressure and is supposed to have an air tight seal. That's not possible with a hole in the pipe.
StevenT Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Posted November 19, 2007 Neal, I agree. I was just wondering if there may have been a legitimate reason to install this ... plug??? As I stated, I recall a drainable "t" fitting that allowed condensation to drain. But the horizontal run was much greater than this one. I thought there was a possibility that this could be an "acceptable field fix" and not a "bogus band-aid."
Chad Fabry Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 The expansion tank is mounted in a clever fashion. Is this a stress test for soldered joints? The install is sloppy. Maybe the surgeon who worked magic on Brad's plumbing did this by-pass as well. ( Brad, I'm just now recovering from viewing your photos) Nice flashing on the exterior penetration. I can't get the theme from "Deliverance" to stop coursing through my thoughts.
Brad Manor Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 ( Brad, I'm just now recovering from viewing your photos) I'm still recovering too, Chad[] ....... due to the "time sensitive" nature of my renovation, aesthetics wan't much of a concern. -Brad "semicolon" Manor
Neal Lewis Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 http://www.protechinfo.com/fasnseal.html Page 6 of the catalogue is a vent section with a condensate drain. I doubt that field alteration is acceptable.
StevenT Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Posted November 19, 2007 Thanks Neal, so it turns out the "plug" is a "bogus band-aid"
Terence McCann Posted November 19, 2007 Report Posted November 19, 2007 Steve, is there an induced draft fan on that boiler? Reason I ask is that the boiler is sidewall vented and I'm wondering if it's rated for that. On a side note, is it kosher to tee the TP valve on the hot water tank and run a supply line out of it?
StevenT Posted November 20, 2007 Author Report Posted November 20, 2007 Yes it has an inducer fan, the tee @ the TPR valve is @ the outlet.
Kyle Kubs Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 Even though it is not a condensing boiler it does have a propensity to produce condensate in the exhaust stream and a provision to drain it before it runs down and rots the heat exhanger is required by many manufacturers. What you have is a Jackasses version of the listed fitting that should be there. It has to be a horizontal drain T, the whole section of pipe is shaped to catch condensate running back in the pipe. Download Attachment: WM_cgiboilermanual.pdf 143.29 KB This is what should be there. Image Insert: 747.7 KB However I would not recommend following the example of this particular jackass in the way he decided to drain the condensate. Image Insert: 846.66 KB Oddly enough the city inspector did not see anything wrong with connecting a source of methane gas (the sewer drain line on the right) to the combustion chamber of this boiler... (we had a few words over this one) Just two weeks ago I was on a site monitoring the install of 3 similar boilers in a multifamily. Really long exhaust runs, no drain T. I mentioned it to the plumber who responded "this is not a condensing boiler, we do all of them like this" I asked him, if there is no issue with condensate, then why is the vent required to be Stainless Steel... He got a blank look on his face, then I showed him the page in the manual. He wasn't happy.
StevenT Posted November 22, 2007 Author Report Posted November 22, 2007 Thank you very much Kyle, I hope you do not mind if I include your picture in my report. Are you telling me that in the boiler installation above, the condensate drain line it draining into a a gas line??? I realize that sometimes people do things wrong, but I just don't see why anyone would even consider doing that?
randynavarro Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 Originally posted by StevenT . . . Are you telling me that in the boiler installation above, the condensate drain line it draining into a a gas line??? No. The explosive part of poo and sewage is methane. (Wonder if the methane actually comes from the pee or the poo?)
Kyle Kubs Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 Steven, Help yourself to the picture. If you want a generic version you can look up "z-vent" one of the manufacturers of this type of vent pipe. http://www.novaflex.com/productcart/pc/ ... roduct=418 The one I posted was not vented to a gas line per-say but to a plumbing waste drain pipe (source of Sewer gas which of course contains a fair percentage of methane gas) The drain line needs to have a trap on it to act as a seal. I'd imagine the one you pictured must have been venting exhaust gases through that nipple without a traped drain on it. Also, note in the manufacturers manual that I posted the drain is required to be a high temp Silicone tubing for the first 18 inches (not the clear, flamable vinyl my jackass friend used)
Kyle Kubs Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 Steven, Help yourself to the picture. If you want a generic version you can look up "z-vent" one of the manufacturers of this type of vent pipe. http://www.novaflex.com/productcart/pc/ ... roduct=418 The one I posted was not vented to a gas line per-say but to a plumbing waste drain pipe (source of Sewer gas which of course contains a fair percentage of methane gas) The drain line needs to have a trap on it to act as a seal. I'd imagine the one you pictured must have been venting exhaust gases through that nipple without a traped drain on it. Also, note in the manufacturers manual that I posted the drain is required to be a high temp Silicone tubing for the first 18 inches (not the clear, flamable vinyl my jackass friend used)
Terence McCann Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 Originally posted by randynavarro Originally posted by StevenT . . . Are you telling me that in the boiler installation above, the condensate drain line it draining into a a gas line??? No. The explosive part of poo and sewage is methane. (Wonder if the methane actually comes from the pee or the poo?) I can neither confirm nor deny but I have heard that you can light a fart on fire.
Chad Fabry Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 I can neither confirm nor deny but I have heard that you can light a fart on fire. Knowing whether it works or not isn't important. It's having tried that counts.
randynavarro Posted November 22, 2007 Report Posted November 22, 2007 Tried it long ago. Yes. . . it can be done.
StevenT Posted November 22, 2007 Author Report Posted November 22, 2007 I concur with Randy. Not only that, but do you know how they trim the hair on elephants in the circus? With a torch, they burn it off. So Chad and anybody else that wishes to experiment, make sure you are wearing pants!!!!!
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