Vents bigger than a Dole 1A???

shawn_11

I have two especially large radiators (27 sections, 2ft tall and 17 sections, 3 feet tall)on a one pipe steam system. The only vents I find around town are Dole 1A, but even set at 10, these don't allow that much steam into my two big radiators.

Are there vents that get the cold air out faster, and where might they be purchased from? And would they be ok for use in a house? Or am I going about this the wrong way?

I don't think the rad is clogged because when I take the vents off, air moves and I've got good heat. I don't think the vents are clogged either, because I can blow about as much air through them as I can a brand new vent.

I could just leave the vent off, assuming that only rarely would enough steam get in to make it down 27 sections and escape. But this sounds risky come 40 degree below zero weather (Wisconsin).

Or I could set the vents on the biggest radiators at 10, and lower all the other vents in my house--more steam would have to hit these big radiators. But that would seem to just increase the pressure in my system, which seems to go against what i want.

Any thoughts?

Bob W._3

Looks like a Gorton C will vent at least 2x as much air, and a Gorton D about 2&1/2 times. Are your main vents sufficient? Thats always over half the battle.

Its gonna be a really cold winter if the "Queens" beat Green Bay again. Boy' the division sucks this year. Oh well, there is always hockey and ice fishing.

Bob W.
North Mankato, MN

shawn_11

thank you, that's fantastic. Is there a reference i could use for future comparisons? (For example, if i wanted to find a vent that was roughly similar to a Dole 1A set at 8.)

Bob W._3

The reference is for sale on this site. Click on the Books and More and look for the Ebook on balancing steam systems. Its $10 donated to charity. Dan sends it to you in pdf format by email. Based on real world testing/measurement at 1, 2 and 3 oz. pressure. I think the guys on this Board try to refrain from giving the actual numbers, cause they don't want to undercut sales. Well worth it. BTW, the Dole 1A they tested appears to have only 6 settings. Perhaps a different model? I think it is close to the Hoffman 1A; I use a few of those. The Gortons come in handy when you need to get a lot of air out quick.