J R Reed Radiator EDR

Adam_13

Hi all! I'm sizing a replacement boiler for a customer who has a few J R Reed radiators. I looked through Dan's EDR book but could not find a good match for this style (pictured). If anyone out there has any info (or a page # in EDR that I overlooked) I would greatly appreciate it. One is 36" tall, has 2 "columns," and 10 "sections." The other is 32" tall, has 2 "columns," and 14 "sections." They do look similar to a "modern" two column radiator, but I did not know if I should treat them as such because there is a fair amount of surface in the base.



Also, all the takeoffs for the radiators are at the top of the steam mains intead of off at at a 45. There are two mains, one with three radiators, and another with eleven. Are there any special considerations to account for in sizing and piping the replacement boiler considering the poor placement of the takeoffs? I am concerned that by the time the steam reaches the last takeoffs on the large loop it is too wet to be of use.



This is a great old system in a house that was built in the 1850's. My guess is in the 1870's the house had a H B Smith masonry boiler put in with pin indirects for the main rooms and these few Reed radiators for the remote chambers. All that remains now from that installation are these two old radiators. In the late 1880's/1890's the system was greatly enlarged, and there were all different varieties of plain and ornamental column radiators added.



Thanks for your time everyone, -Adam

Brad White

I would at least

take a stab at it, and find some "comparables" out of the EDR book. For example, most know that a 3-tube column radiator 38 inches high is usually 5 EDR per section. Some vary, that is fine, you can find a range both high and low. The answer will lie somewhere in-between. Nice Rads BTW!



I would check any number of similar profiles and heights, even in-between heights and "triangulate".  This is analogous to using a sextant (before GPS). Take three "fixes", draw the triangle and you are within the center of that triangle being the margin of error.



If your intent is to match room heat loss and you are too high, a steam TRV (Macon OPSK for example) can trim it.



If your concern is boiler sizing, then your margin of error between selections is probably not enough to tip your boiler selection to the next size up or down.



If you REALLY want to know the EDR though, do you have an accurate industrial scale, a vat of paint large enough to submerge a closed radiator and a floor that needs painting? I did not think so. So triangulate.



My $0.02



Brad

crash2009

Wallworth 1842-1892

look kinda similar to yours.  Here is the file.  If the file upload doesnt work contact me direct.  kendillen@sbcglobal.net

ttekushan_3

and

Nason or Bundy. Worked on an 1895 church system with those. The Nason a/o Bundy figures worked out fine.



I might add, that those radiators throw an amazing radiant heat field around them. Nothing like coming in out of the bitter cold and being greeted by one of those kicking out the heat!

crash2009

I found the Reeds

right on this site http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/158/Radiators/1275/Ratings-for-Gold-Nason-Bundy-and-Reed-Radiators near the bottom of the pdf

Adam_13

Thanks to all

for sharing your thoughts and information. Sorry for the late reply but tonight is the first chance I've had to sit down at the computer again.



I would have liked to have taken Brad's suggestion of calculating the area directly, but I didn't think to take measurements while I was at the customer's house (and I don't need any floors painted at the moment!).



The Wallworth catalogue was quite impressive. I never knew that they made so many different varieties of pipe radiators.



Also thanks to Steamhead for compiling the resource of early radiator Edr's. Not only is it great to have the original information right at hand, but it is always nice to be able to show the customer on the walk through that you know exactly what you're looking at (and have the references to prove it). I always take a few of my old steam books with me on the job. First it's convenient to reference them when you run into something unusual, and also I find many customers appreciate that you take a serious interest in the work.