silver solder disaster part 2

[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

Hi all. a while ago I posted my traumas with my GLR vertical boiler silver soldering.

Well after a few nervous reheatings my intitial leak test is good.

This was at just a few psi of air not the full blown hydraulic pressure test.

Ironically the only leak I had was back out of the check valve which I had fitted with an adaptor to take a tyre connector. Tried cleaning the ball and blowing out but air still bubbling out.

Now my question to you experts is this.

Is the valve faulty / will it 'bed in' / does it need some work on it to bed it in/ or is this to be expected on air as presumably it is designed to retain hydraulic pressure.

Regards

Bill D.

[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

It will probably be fine on hydraulic test. Do you have a suitable test rig?

Russell.

[Nigel BennettParticipant @nigelbennett69913]

Bill

Air is a much more searching medium than water, so will find gaps that water won't. However, for an initial hydraulic test, it can be conducted on a bare boiler – with the holes plugged with solid threaded plugs. On hydraulic test your leaking valve won't be a problem! The extra pressure on hydraulic test will also assist in sealing any leaks from the check valve.

If it's a ball valve, try fitting a nitrile rubber ball. You could also burnish the seat to improve the seating of the existing ball or whatever.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

hi – my clacks often leak on air but seldom do on water/steam. If there is any crud on the ball seat air isnt good at self cleaning but steam will soon get rid of it.

[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

Successful hydaulic test, check valve was fine, steam trial next. Thanks for you help on this and my previous woes.

Silver soldering a boiler is certainly a job to try and get right first time!

Bill D

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