short cycling after radiator removal

Big Ed

> Problem: 5 story (2 family) townhouse with steam <BR>
> radiation on the top 4 floors. We had radiators <BR>
> removed from the top 3 floors as we are <BR>
> separating out heating systems by unit. Now the <BR>
> system has only 2 radiators and some extra piping <BR>
> that has been capped. The system is short <BR>
> cycling and making lots of noises that heretofore <BR>
> did not exist. The pressure switch is apparently <BR>
> set at 5-6 lbs as that is where it has to drop <BR>
> below before it cycles on. It is also adding <BR>
> more water than usual (especially for only 2 <BR>
> radiators). I think, after reading another <BR>
> thread, that there was some debris in the line - <BR>
> probably caused when pipes were cut away - since <BR>
> the sight glass went from almost empty to almost <BR>
> full for no apparent reason. So, how do I get <BR>
> any debris out of the system assuming there is <BR>
> some there - and how do I stop the short cycling <BR>
> in a much reduced system? Can I increase the <BR>
> pressure setting - if so, how high can it go? <BR>
> The unit that still has the old steam system <BR>
> heats up - but relatively slowly due to the <BR>
> cycling issue. Any help would be much <BR>
> appreciated. <BR>
<BR>
Drop the pressure and skim the boiler.Make sure you still have working main vents.

Not fully sure how much steam will be left but you may end up with a oversize boiler.Then you will need a smaller one.

Old Townhouse Guy

short cycling after radiator removal

Problem: 5 story (2 family) townhouse with steam radiation on the top 4 floors. We had radiators removed from the top 3 floors as we are separating out heating systems by unit. Now the system has only 2 radiators and some extra piping that has been capped. The system is short cycling and making lots of noises that heretofore did not exist. The pressure switch is apparently set at 5-6 lbs as that is where it has to drop below before it cycles on. It is also adding more water than usual (especially for only 2 radiators). I think, after reading another thread, that there was some debris in the line - probably caused when pipes were cut away - since the sight glass went from almost empty to almost full for no apparent reason. So, how do I get any debris out of the system assuming there is some there - and how do I stop the short cycling in a much reduced system? Can I increase the pressure setting - if so, how high can it go? The unit that still has the old steam system heats up - but relatively slowly due to the cycling issue. Any help would be much appreciated.

Big Ed

Dirty Water

Drop the pressure and skim the boiler.Make sure you still have working main vents.

Not fully sure how much steam will be left but you may end up with a oversize boiler.Then you will need a smaller one.

Jamie Hall

if you really

took that much radiation out...

I would expect that you are now way way way oversized, and are going to have all kinds of problems. Steam boilers are sized by connected radiation, not heat loss.