How much water to expect in Mains?

Steve_168

Hello all! I'm still working on getting my steam system working correctly. I have a two-pipe system with two mains and one return from all the radiators. No vents on the radiators. One radiator has a open (no restrictions) return with a open input valve. One radiator has a open input valve with a Moline return valve. The rest of the radiators have the Moline input valves and Moline return valves. Both mains are vented with a single Hoffman 75, and I just keep the return vent open since all I have is a Hoffman 76, and I understand I shouldn't use a vacuum vent here. My question is, the boiler seems to be short-cycling because of low water, so I add more water manually. But now I hear a good bit of water sloshing around in the mains? Especially at the ends of the mains coming back to the boiler. Is a little bit of this normal? I been reading the Lost Art book, but still have questions for the experts! Thanks for any help!

Steve
Peoria, IL

D lux_2

steve I am posting to bump you up steamhead is who you need to

I justed to get you back on top . is condensate off rads. comming back to boiler? returns could be blocked if underground leaking or boiler cracked above waterline how much h2o refilling

Steamhead (in transit)

If your Moline system

still has the check valve in the return, shown in figure 43 on page 260 of "The Lost Art of Steam Heating", it may be stuck or there may be a build-up of dirt in the piping around it. This would impede the flow of the returning water and cause the symptoms you describe.

There is a Moline expert in Amboy, north of you- Dave "Boilerpro" Bunnell, owner of a company called Boiler Professionals. Why not get him to look at your system? Here is a link to his info:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=393&Step=30

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

Steve_168

No...there is no other Moline componets on the system, also no underground pipes. The only Moline pieces I have are the valves and return parts on the radiators...Thanks for the help! I don't think I've found the sweet spot for the water level yet...

Steve

Steamhead (in transit)

OK

you still want to give Dave a call. He is as good a steam man as you'll find anywhere.

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

V8toilet_3

I think you need a lot more venting than that on those mains. Get this venting capacities chart to help you figure that out.
http://www.heatinghelp.com/shopcart/product.cfm?category=2-138