custom rad panel

hot_rod

I've built some large custom towel racks 4'x3' with square steel tube. had them powder coated.

Also Watts Radiant still makes1" brass headers with 1/2 female sweat sockets. With brass tubing that would be a nice look.

I've always wanted to find an old Rheem solar panel. They made panels with steel sheets that were hydroformed to "pop" out passage ways. Like a pillowed look. that might make an interesting looking large radiator.

I saw some wild panel rads at the ISH show. Here is a favorite. a stair railing radiator!

hr

ed wallace

custom rad panel

looking to build a custom rad panel to replace 10 ft of baseboard has anyone ever done this best material ? how do you conect the emmitters or panels how large of a unit to replace 10 ft of baseboard

Brad White_185

What temperature water, Ed?

Hi Ed! Great to see you posting again.

What water temperatures are you considering for those 10 feet of BBD? Say 500 to 550 per foot at 170 AWT? Just to get in the range.

Those copper manifolds (Alberta Tee being but one) make nice ladder radiators or towel warmers. Hard to beat copper for conductivity. I imagine you could also solder 20-ounce copper sheeting for radiant surface. I mean, what you are creating is sculpture that heats.

For the cost of copper, a Runtal or even a Veha or Buderus panel radiator might well be within your budget and considering what your time is worth. Don't let that stop you from undertaking the project, though.

ed wallace

custom rad panel

running 170-180 degree water thru it just want to try something different

radioconnection_5

Steam heating overview

Hey all,

I just purchased a home with steam heat, and I am very new to all this. I have allot of very general questions and not sure who to ask.

1) Old (1982 ish) Oil fire steam boiler (105,000 btu) needs to be replaced. We have the option of staying with Oil or converting to natural gas. Is one better then the other? I heard natural gas will be cheaper in the long run.
2) some of the rads are hot water converted to steam and some are just steam? Can you convert most hot water rads to work with steam? We are doing some updates and the European style hot water rads seem much nicer.
3) The HVAC guy told me that I don't have any Main vents on my main steam line (about 15ft of main) he said because I have all individual wet returns and short mains I don't need Main vents? Does that sound right?
4) Our system doesn't bang when it heats up, but all the radiator valves whistle when the heat comes on and off (suction sound).. Is that normal operation?
5) The main pipe from the boiler T's off in two directions (left and right) the HVAC guy told me that if I update the boiler, the new boiler creates steam much faster and will cause the system to water hammer because of the "T". (True/False)??

Sorry for the random questions, but I am reviewing all the miscellaneous information I have been receiving.

Brad White

You probably should

post this as a New Topic so that it gets the attention it deserves. Right now it is on the tail end of an entirely different subject thread. At least Ed Wallace is a good steam guy and may see it here.