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Radiator Valve Rebuilds

Magnehelic
Magnehelic Member Posts: 63
in Strictly Steam
Hi Guys,



     Does anybody know if these Dunham rad valves are still available?  Or is there anyone out there that rebuilds them.  This is a 1902 two pipe system that is still ALL ORIGINAL (except that it has been converted from coal to natural gas) and it is beautiful.  I've never seen these decorative rad valves before.  Most of them are stuck, and a few of them are misting/condensing steam on the tops.  It would be so nice to be able to restore them, or replace them with new ones of the same type.



Whaddaya think?



Don

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    Might check with MEPCO

    the successor company to Dunham. I know they still sell trap parts. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    might be easier than you think

    I have a valve similar to this, that I had salvaged and used it on a hot water radiator.  It operated real rough when I got it, but I tore it apart, changed the washer, lubed the mechanical parts with high temp valve grease.  The valve was a packless type, and when it was repaired, it worked just great.  The nickel lettering on the dial looked fantastic too!
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • Magnehelic
    Magnehelic Member Posts: 63
    Thanks

    Thanks....I'll give it a shot.
  • Magnehelic
    Magnehelic Member Posts: 63
    What's this?

    Same system.......what is this "silver can" next to the boiler?  Also, here's a pic of the boiler....not a very good one though.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    It's probably

    the main vent, in this case called an air trap or something similar. If it's mounted on the dry return, that's what it is. Dunham produced several different versions of this unit.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    dunham air eliminator

    Here is a link to information on one of Dunham's air eliminators.  http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1349/313.pdf

    Basically, it was a vent that was located in the return piping.  It also had a float connect to the vent, so that in the event that pressure in the boiler caused that water to back up into the return piping, the vent would close, thereby preventing the water from leaking out of the vent opening.
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
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