Posted by Harold Kestenholz - Hydronic Network on September 26, 2000 at 14:23:07:
In Reply to: Weil/McLain /Oil-Steam-Boiler #SGO-3 posted by Ed getz on September 26, 2000 at 11:02:21:
Old boilers had larger total water capacities in their larger steam chambers and the heavier old castings took longer to boil water away. If the boiler is set up the way Weil says, then you must continue to use it that way to maintain warrantee.
There are some things you can do about it. Some installers include an additional horizontal water vessel at the Hartford loop connection to increase the effective water capacity of the drum. This extends the water vessel exterior to the boiler so the water doesn't steam out faster than it can return.
Another possibility is to lower the steam pressure of the boiler. Lowering the operating steam pressure drives the steam from the boiler more slowly permitting water to return in time to prevent cut-off on low water.