Beautiful Gravity

Matthew Grallert

I came across this beautiful gravity system the other day.  Over the years the system lost water and the newish home owner had no idea how it worked, only that there were some radiators that were cold. 

I filled the tank only to watch all the water run right back out of the bottom of the tank:-(  My question is are these tanks still available?  This tank is leaking from the tank itself not any of the fittings, I made sure to check this.  It would be really cool to keep this as origional as possable.  Thanks for any input.

Peace

Matthew

Dennis

I am sure a welder could make one up in no time

I have removed quite a few of these, a couple were riveted together.

You could probably use an expansion tank, but the thin metal probably would have a short life.

Matthew Grallert

Beautiful Gravity

This one is riveted steel, Maybe 6 gallons. Very heavy gauge.

Charlie from wmass

It may be beautiful.

But you could gain a lot of space and be rid of a potential bomb by removing that tank. Make sure you do allow for expansion else where in the system.

Steamhead

You should be able

to get a replacement tank. You need one with sight-glass tappings. I wouldn't worry about the tank being a "bomb" since it looks like it vents into an overflow pipe. Does the boiler have a safety valve on it? 

Charlie from wmass

You know me Frank

I like to idiot proof things. Two years back a "Heat Tech" drained all the air out of a joist style expansion tank, plugged the leaking relief valve and closed the fill to the boiler. He then went to get a new relif valve and boiler fill. While he was gone he wanted the people to stay warm so he left the heat on. The tank ended up outside through the block wall by the time he got back. SO I see a tank where traffic can occur and I say cap it off and move it to the boiler room. Paranoid? Maybe, but I see some foolish things. I had to answer 4 questions about building and heating a copper riveted tank back when I got my masters license. Now that would look nice a copper riveted tank all polished up with Brass valves.

Matthew Grallert

Beautiful Gravity

I didn't unwrap the tank other then to find the leak but it appears to vent into the flue and also maybe the cellar?  Hard to say without unwrapping it.

I don't see a problem with keeping the system as it is if I can find a replacement tank, with a sight glass.  Are they still available?  What would I use in it's stead?  Oh and I don't recall if there is a relief valve on the boiler. 

Matthew Grallert

beautiful gravity

So I was thinking... Could I use a solar drain back tank, like the HTP SSU-10DB?

Seems this would do about the same thing.  Any comments?

Dave Stroman

Tank

I have a couple of those old tanks if you really want one.  Better to just remove the unsightly thing and install a blader type on the boiler with a fill valve and a releif valve.

Jamie Hall

In general

I agree with those who would want a more modern tank -- however... there is something to be said to keeping the old tank, or one like it, and they are idiot proof (and can't either water or air log) so long as no one is fool enough to put a valve on the vent(s).  The vent itself probably did go to the flue, and likely as not the pipe to the basement which you mentioned was an overflow...



Of course, you could also keep it and clean it up, only disconnect it from the system, too.  Which isn't quite as silly as it sounds.

rich pickering

build one

Our sheet metal guys build them with galvanised steel. Solder the seams, add gauge glass valves and you are good to go.

And get rid of that insulation.

Matthew Grallert

really so simple?

Is it really as simple as removing and capping the water supply in the cellar to the old tank and cutting in a bladder tank in the cellar, with a feed?  I have never had the opportunity to convert something like this.  The supply leaves the boiler and meets a Y where it then heads for the radiators I don't recall if there is a tapping in the crotch of the Y, that would make the install of a tank pretty simple.