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Richardson ball check unioun

I'm rehabbing a 2 pipe steam system with Richardson ball check unions. Some of the balls are missing. Has anyone already done the research to replace them? The check unions are all there, it's just that someone must have let them drop out and never replaced put them back in.

Amazingly, except for 2 radiators, everything else on the radiators is intact.

Also, is there a replacement for the air expeller and vacuum valve?

Thanks for any help.

Comments

  • jpf321
    jpf321 Member Posts: 1,568
    bump ... steamhead?

    -
    1-pipe Homeowner - Queens, NYC

    NEW: SlantFin Intrepid TR-30 + Tankless + Riello 40-F5 @ 0.85gph | OLD: Fitzgibbons 402 boiler + Beckett "SR" Oil Gun @ 1.75gph

    installed: 0-20oz/si gauge | vaporstat | hour-meter | gortons on all rads | 1pc G#2 + 1pc G#1 on each of 2 mains

    Connected EDR load: 371 sf venting load: 2.95cfm vent capacity: 4.62cfm
    my NEW system pics | my OLD system pics
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,380
    edited December 2010
    I'm here

    Try to find replacement balls of the same material and diameter as the originals. I'm not sure if the originals were brass or steel- try a magnet on them.



    Richardsons never had steam main vents as far as I know. You should add them- measure the length and diameter of each steam main and we can tell you what you need. Depending on how many rads the dry return vent serves, one or two Gorton #1 or Gorton #2 vents would work.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Paul Fredricks_3
    Paul Fredricks_3 Member Posts: 1,557
    .

    Richardson had a single vent on the return originally. I have one customer with a Richardson and I calc'd and added vents on the mains and the returns.



    One radiator had been added later and didn't have the ball check assembly on it. I installed a Hoffman 17c trap at the outlet of the radiator and it seemed to work well. I also put a ball valve on the supply side, throttled it down to slow the flow through the radiator, and removed the handle.
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