steam with coils and copper??

Steamhead (in transit)

a Chase Brass & Copper job. There's an old ad somewhere where they piped a Vapor system in copper.

This system sounds like stock Trane Vapor, but I'll bet those convector elements have built-in orifices in them. These were used to balance the system and, in some cases (but not yours since you have traps) to restrict the incoming steam so it won't reach the dry return. There are many, many reasons to NOT convert to hot water, and these orifices are another: There have been cases where water flowing thru them has caused a lot of noise.

Check the main vents on this system for leaks, there should be one on each steam main and on the dry return. Make sure they're sized properly- get Gerry Gill and Steve Pajek's e-book on venting if you don't already have it. Also replace the underground return lines if there are any, and any trap elements that are found to be leaking. Use dielectrics and an oversized drop header on the new boiler. When it's done, the system will run beautifully.

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=367&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

Ed Brown

Steam with coils and copper???

I am looking at replacing a boiler for a new customer of ours. Has a 20 YO Weil Mclain Boiler - oil - and a steam system.
The "radiators" are all 1940's era Trane coils in cabinets - 2 pipe system- with inline steam traps under the coils on 1 pipe.

All the piping in the house is copper.

The rear section of the boiler had a hole last year...now the 2nd to last section has a large hole....if you look in the flue collector - the hole is at the top of the flue passage.

No leaks that we can find...no meter on the water feed(auto)

No condensation evidence in the flue/chimney/flue passages

Should we convert to water?
should we keep steam?

I have a call in to our local WM Rep Gary Dolan...put figured I would get soome background info before he returns my call!!

Thanks

Ed

gerry gill

with all the piping copper

it doesn't surprise me your boiler died prematurely..the amount of copper does matter..it increases the cathodic area in relation to the anodic area..the cast iron now being the anode.. here is a link of interest http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/corrosion/galvanic.htm

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"