www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | March 2015 45
overfilling both manually and automatically? As to the
manual side, we'll take a look at something you've prob-
ably worked on and wondered about. Have you noticed
that an awful lot of automatic water feeders for steam
out there have 3/8" tappings, Figure 3? Those 3/8" valves
have a very definite purpose, to control flow. You see a
3/8" pipe only has a flow rate of 6 gpm at 55-60 psi, but
a ¼" pipe only has a flow of 3 gpm at the same pressure.
Ever have an older customer or someone with arthritis or
other problem where opening and closing a globe or gate
valve made refilling the boiler a big deal? Remember how
good you felt by just putting on a ball valve for them? You
looked like a hero because it was so much easier. Back
in the day we all converted a bunch of people from the
infamous #14 blow down valve to a ball valve using a "dirt
pocket cap" and a nipple, today most just use something
like the #14B valve, Figure 4. So no doubt about it every-
one loves the ball valve, Figure 5. It's perfect for where
you want a full open or full close valve and for drains or
feeds the mighty valve ball is it!
HVAC/ HydroniCs
Figure 4
Figure 5
4001 Pearl Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109
216-741-8300
www.turbonicsinc.com
Provides warmth & comfort
with concealed units.
Don't be fooled by any
"Johnny-come-lately" copy-cat units.
The Original is Still The Best!
