Recent FAQs about water feeder valves on steam heating boilers - set 2.

Diagnostic, repair & maintenance questions and answers about the various types of manual and automatic water feeder valves used on steam heating boilers.

Q&A on how to Troubleshoot & Fix Steam Boiler Water Feed Valves

 Recent questions & answers about steam boiler water feeders & LWCOs originally posted at WATER FEEDER VALVE, STEAM - home. You will want to review the water feeder control diagnosis and repair advice given there.

On 2019-02-21 by rick

Like I said I did this and the auto feeder never gets out of dwell.

it stays in dwell and does not feed..Also as I said we swapped the electronic part of the feeder with a brand new one and had the same result

also the LWCO in brand new

On 2019-02-21 by (mod) - how to test the water feeder valve

Rick

DId you take a look at the test suggestions in the water feeder manual?

On 2019-02-20 by rick

I can manually add water which engages the solenoid and feeds water so I think the screen is clean but I will check..could it be the wiring between the LWCO and the feeder?

thats the unit..I can manually feed water into the boiler so I think the screen is ok.

Manual feed engages the solenoid so that seems good. I swapped out the electrical part of the feeder with a new one and it still does the same thing..could it be the wiring to the auto feeder?

On 2019-02-15 by (mod) -

Rick

Before replacing a LWCO (Low Water Cut Off) valve or water feeder, I'd go through the diagnosis and cleaning procedure recommended by the manufacturer as most-often that's what's needed.

I think that you water feeder might be a McDonnell & Miller automatic water feeder like the unit I show below - attach a photo of your unit and of its labeling and we can find for sure whether or not we've got the right instruction manual for it.

Illustration: WFE-24V Uni-Match Universal Water Feeder (24V) - McDonnell & Miller - INSTRUCTIONS for THIS WATER FEEDER are given as a link in the

article WATER FEEDER VALVE, STEAM

- see ITT McDonnell & Miller WFE-ELECTRIC WATER FEEDER INSTRUCTIONS [PDF]

On at least some automatic water feeder valves or controls, if the strainer is clogged, that alone could be the trouble.

On 2019-02-15 by rick - water feeder won't work automatically

I have a williamson steam boiler with a hydrolevel LWCO and a miller daniels 24v feeder.

the LWOC seems to work but the auto feeder stays in dwell mode and doesn't feed any water.

then the boiler cycles on/off until I manually add water..should I replace the feeder?

On 2019-02-04 by (mod) -

RE-posting

Anonymous said:
I installed the water feeder but there is a problem when I open the water valve the water keeps going through the water feeder and never stops

On 2018-12-08 by (mod) -

Thank you for the added information that's helpful.

My point was that if the steam boiler was actually flooded you would have no Steam Heat. So if the water feeder was constantly feeding the water into the boiler I suspect that there was a leak somewhere.

On 2018-12-08 by Anonymous

I Had to replace the heat exchanger this past feb because it had a huge hole in it caused by the water either the quality or the amount...

my guess is a little of both but the feeder was constantly filling it up was tild too much fresh water is cancer to a boiler...it was only 5 years old

On 2018-12-08 by (mod) -

I don't think that your steam boiler can let in too much water. The water feeder will only replace the water that's consumed in the heating process. However you may be able to use some treatments in your boiler that will reduce the corrosivity of your water.

On 2018-12-08 by Anonymous

Its a 2 story single residence home about 90 years old
...boiler is top of the line about 6 years old and everything seems to be working well...

was just wondering since i know too much fresh water being let in causes the heat exchanger to rust out...thanks for the info

On 2018-12-03 by (mod) - /heat/ITT-McDonnell-Miller-WFE-Electric-Water-Feeder-Manual.pdf

Boller water used varies considerably from one boiler and building to another so there's no single right answer on how much water you're boiler should use for a building about which we have no data.

However as long as the water level in the sight glass on your boiler is staying at the safe level marked on the boiler you should be fine.

On 2018-12-02 by John

How much water should be going into my boiler? My automatic water feeder read 59 about 2 months ago and now reads 62...is this a safe amount

On 2018-11-18 by (mod) - what voltage does my automatic water feed valve need?

Voltage is given on the device data tag, typicslly either 120VAC or 24VAC

On 2018-11-16 by Jesse

How do i know what volt my auto feeder i need?

On 2017-12-30 by (mod) - never direct 120 volts to control that's only rated to handle 24 volts.

You should never direct 120 volts to control that's only rated to handle 24 volts. That would be dangerous.

But it is certainly possible that to separate controls, one operating at 24 volts and another at 120 volts, and Performing different functions, would be found on an individual heating system.

On 2017-12-29 by robert can a 120 volt auto feed work on a 24 volt low water cut off?

can a 120 volt auto feed work on a 24 volt low water cut off

On 2017-12-20 21:05:11.417925 by john

Installed 24v M&M unimatch. Worked for past ten years. Now feeder will not stop feeding water into boiler.

Replaced unimatch with new and still same problem. Took wires off of unimatch from safeguard lwc and feeder is still powered and is feeding water continuously.... any ideas?

On 2017-12-04 00:22:05.000028 by (mod) -

Jorge,

Take care. Overfilling a steam boiler will cause loss of heat and risks damage to the system.

Normally a steam boiler will have a line or mark on the boiler face or on the sight glass in front of the boiler showing you the recommended water level when you are manually filling the boiler.

For safety I urge you to have your system inspected by a trained Steam Heat service technician. The tech got also review with you the proper operation of the boiler including when and how to feed water.

On 2017-12-03 21:33:49.062113 by Jorge

I installed the water feeder but when I open the water valve the water continues to flow through the water feeder and never stops can somebody tell me which one is the problem.

On 2017-03-05 23:55:19.728811 by (mod) -

Agree, Kevin: if the rad never stops hissing then its steam vent is probably clogged, not closing when it should, and we're wasting water.

It also sounds as if your water feeder or low water cutoff or both need cleaning.

On 2017-03-05 07:24:29.605341 by Kevin N.

Meant "loveped out" from overworking...

On 2017-03-05 07:23:24.959031 by Kevin N.

Hi, My Steam boiler was losing water pretty fast the past 2-3 weeks. I think I have it nailed down to radiators hissing constantly. FInally tracked down replacement valves. Problem now is that the McDonnell & Miller WFE-24 calls for water when below water level but it just jerks on and then off immediately. INdicator light and gauge glass let me know it is still sensing low water condition. Could the thing have loveped out from overworking so consistently the last couple of weeks?

On 2017-02-01 12:40:24.446008 by Anonymous

Regarding my comment "When I check on my boiler in the morning before the heat even starts for the first time, I notice the orange "fill light" is on.

It then clicks off and the green light on the sensor on the filler pipe blinks on and off for about 10 seconds then it shuts off and the orange "fill light" (the one on the boiler) goes on again.

This cycle just seems to keep repeating. The water level in the boiler is fine and the sight glass is about 1/2 full.

Is this normal? I'm not sure if this is some sort of recalibration process or preheating or what...Thank you for any comments.... " - I should have also noted that the water does not actually turn on - it just keeps going through this light cycling process. Also, when I come home after work, all seems fine.

I had plumbers look at it and they found nothing which made me think this is a normal "early morning" process that I never noticed before......

On 2017-02-01 by Anonymous - the orange "fill" light keeps going on

When I check on my boiler in the morning before the heat even starts for the first time, I notice the orange "fill light" is on. It then clicks off and the green light on the sensor on the filler pipe blinks on and off for about 10 seconds then it shuts off and the orange "fill light" (the one on the boiler) goes on again.

This cycle just seems to keep repeating. The water level in the boiler is fine and the sight glass is about 1/2 full. Is this normal? I'm not sure if this is some sort of recalibration process or preheating or what...Thank you for any comments....

On 2016-10-24 22:57:55.771643 by (mod) -

Ken:

Sounds as if the water feeder valve is defective and needs cleaning, repair, or replacement. It could be as simple as a stuck float; are you flushing the low water cutoff valve / fill valve frequently?

On 2016-10-24 16:21:16.861088 by Anonymous

pilot light is on automatic water feeder feeds water turns off and then restarts in a few minutes it's as if the system doesn't read when the tank is full for the system to start

On 2016-10-24 16:19:58.823273 by ken

Utica gas steam boiler all components seem to be working fine system starts to feel with water but won't stop filling with water just cheats on filling does not start any ideas

On 2015-12-04 19:15:59.897612 by (mod) -

Thanks for the helpful follow-up; what we learn helps others, and working together makes us smarter.

Daniel

On 2015-12-04 03:34:50.884166 by Judy

Thanks very much. When I got home from work tonight the digital readout said "001" signifying that the float must have triggered the autofeed, which fed a little more water into the system. I think I just needed some indication that it was working; this provided me with some reassurance. This is a fabulous service, especially for home maintenance novices like me. Many thanks.

On 2015-12-03 21:59:47.741627 by (mod) -

Judy

Based just on your description I think the control thinks your boiler water level is correct; Check that the water level you report is about at the point where there should be a mark on the boiler itself indicating the proper water level. If it is, you're ok. I have not heard gripes about this control though I don't know it as well as some other steam boiler water feeders. It has safety features to be sure the boiler has enough water, such as an "underfeed" protection that will feed water an extra cycle if one feed cycle doesn't raise the water level enough, and it has also a boiler flood protection feature. These controls also usually include a delay feature to wait for condensate to return to the boiler on a heating cycle so as to avoid over-feeding the boiler.

If the boiler water level falls too low it should be possible to use the manual bypass to slowly feed water back into the boiler - if no bypass was installed that may be improper.

This control is programmable - we don't know your service tech set it up - you might want to ask that.

The VXT-24 is provided by Hydrolevel - if you don't have an instruction sheet for this control, contact the company at

Hydrolevel, P.O. Box 1847, New Haven, CT 06508 Tel: (203) 776-0473 Website: www.hydrolevel.com

On 2015-12-03 15:48:21.297366 by Judy

I recently had a VXT-24 automatic water feeder installed on a Weil-McLain boiler that's about 18 years old. The old automatic feeder broke and the low water emergency light was on, which is how I figured out I needed a service call. The new VXT has a digital readout. Ever since I had it installed a month ago the readout has said "000." I also haven't heard the water system "kick in" (it makes an audible sound when feeding the furnace)since it was installed. Is this a problem? I don't know how to interpret this data, or lack of it. Could be that the system is adequately filled and no additional water is needed . . . the glass tube is at about a third full, and the indicator light on water level is green (not red). This thing makes me nervous! Should I request another service call if the readout stays at "000"? Thanks!

On 2015-11-25 13:25:23.645578 by Anonymous

This site is awesome!BIG THANKS again! Mel

On 2015-11-23 14:16:10.062436 by (mod) -

Nice going Anon. Particularly at these valves on steam boilers the accumulation of debris is a common condition and one worth looking for.

On 2015-11-23 13:22:33.594555 by Anonymous

Thanks Archie it was the valve assembly filter screen replaced it,old one full of gunk and debris from galvanized pipes has been working fine every since.

On 2015-11-15 03:52:49.909258 by (mod) -

Before abandoning the old feeder I'd review the instructions for cleaning and flushing out the valve.

On 2015-11-14 21:59:13.929562 by Anonymous

Thanks for your response Dan,i think i see your confusion...the device clicks when electrical power is applied to the feeder the manual feed button depresses as if it trying to feed water to boiler. since water already in boiler, it should not feed until level drops in boiler sight glass....correct? in addition the feeder stays on until electrical source is disconnected.why is it trying to feed? i 'm thinking it should not depress period until level water is needed. i brought the whole value assembly was going to change thought i ask before i did. Thanks again Mel

On 2015-11-14 00:21:58.947917 by (mod) -

I'm a little confused. If no water flows and none should flow the valve may be acting normally

On 2015-11-13 16:54:05.117932 by MEL

Hi Archie, i have a McDonnell & Miller Model 101A 24 VOLT electric water feeder it has not been used for years because of flooding radiator.i have been for years just pressing the Manuel button on the feeder to add water to the boiler and took off the electrical connection to the feeder from low water cut off.

Recently i reconnected the electrical connection to the water feeder it comes on immediately depressing the Manuel feed button on the feeder,but no water flows.

why would it come on when it already has sufficient water added manually to the boiler sight glass. i thinking it should not come on until the water level drops in sight glass when low shut shut off demands water?

The low water shut off seem to work properly because when i drain it to clean it will cut off boiler when water is added in sight glass it comes on.

...

Continue reading at WATER FEEDER VALVE, STEAM - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• LOW WATER CUTOFF VALVE
• LOW WATER CUTOFF VALVE NOT WORKING
• STEAM BOILER FLOODING / SURGING REPAIR where we explain the causes of water too high in the sight glass or in the steam boiler
• STEAM BOILER SIGHT GLASS
• STEAM BOILER WATER FEEDER VALVE MANUALS
• STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS & CONTROLS - home
• WATER FEEDER VALVE, HYDRONIC BOILER

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