Replace my main vents? If yes, then with what?

Natasha

I have a two-floor house with a steam boiler for each floor - Burnham Hydronics 140,000 Btuh. For each floor: the length of the main pipe is 20 feet and the length of return pipe is also 20 feet. The outside diameter of the main is 2 1/4 inches, the outside diameter of the return pipe is 1 1/4 inches.

Currently the first floor has MAIN VENT DOLE #1933 and the second floor is main VENT-RITE #35.

The pressure is set to 1 psi and the cut-out pressure is 0.5.

The reason why I consider replacing the main vents is that my radiator-vents on each floor are hissing very loud. I replaced all radiator vents with the new ones VENT-RITE #1, I flushed the boilers and the water is clear in them. But hissing is still present. I think that my boilers could be oversized, I cannot change this, therefore I am trying to play with main vents.

Natasha

additional pictures

DOLE#1933 and VENT-RITE #35 - my 2 current MAIN vents

Steamhead

Replace them

with Gorton #1 vents. The second vent looks like it's in a bushing which will have to be removed- best have a pro handle it. Not sure what to make of that first one, but if the pipe coming up out of the tee is 3/8" or larger you should be OK.

Natasha

WHere to purchase Gordon #1 main vents

Can you please send a link or an image or a link to an image?

Rod

Source for Gorton Vents

Hi- A lot of people are buying Gorton vents at Pex Supply. Gorton has two sizes of Main Vent - the Gorton #1 and the Gorton #2. The Gorton #2 has about 3 times the venting capacity of a Gorton #1  Here is the link to the Gorton at Pex Supply:

http://www.pexsupply.com/Gorton

- Rod

Natasha

Thank you Rod

Do you think my system needs #1 or #2?

Natasha

Additional view of DOLE1933

Attached

Rod

Main Vents

Hi- I see that Steamhead, who is a VERY experienced steam pro, recommended that you use a Gorton #1 so I would go with that. The Gorton #1 has a lot more venting capacity than what you have now. You can't "over vent" on the main vents (radiator vents are a different story). You might want to mount it on an "antler" as this would protect it more from condensate (water) and the "antler" makes it easy to then add additional main vents if you find you need it. (I've attached a great drawing by Brad White on an "antler" setup)

- Rod

Natasha

2 types of Gorton#1

Gorton No. 1, 3/4" x 1/2" Air Eliminator (Main Vent Valve)

View Specs



Gorton No. 1, 3/8" Air Eliminator (Main Vent Valve)

So I found 2 types of Gorton N1. Which type do I need?

Rod

Model Differences

Hi Again - Both vents are Gorton #1s and both have the same venting capacity The difference is in the size of the attachment thread.

The model "3/4 x 1/2 " means the connection has 3/4 inch MPT  (MPT= Male Pipe Thread) on the outside and  1/2 inch FPT (FPT= Female Pipe Thread) on the inside so you have the option of attaching it to a 3/4 FPT or a 1/2 MPT fitting.

The model 3/8" is just a 3/8 MPT.

I would go with the 3/4"x 1/2 " model as this gives you more options. Actually either model will work fine, you just have to get different adapters to make it fit. These adapters are available from any hardware store /Home Depot.

- Rod

Natasha

HI Rod, I appreciate very much your response

Ordering 3/4"x 1/2 " model

acl10

D on main.

Gorton says that all Gortons have the same guts so why cant one use a Gorton D on the main instead of a 1?

ryanr256

Gorton 1 vs. D

The Gorton 1 can have a 3/4" x 1/2" or 3/8" straight inlet whereas the D can have a 1/8" angle, a 1/8" straight or a 1/4" straight inlet



The inlet sizes on the D makes it unsuitable for use on a main vent because the inlet is too restrictive. The 1 has a larger opening which will allow more air to pass, which is what is needed on a main.



-Bob

Steamhead

We do use Gorton D vents on mains

where there is not enough room for the usual main vent setup. The 1/8" pipe connection is about the same size as the vent hole, and is enough to get the job done. 

acl10

Vented my main

I vented my main with two Gorton ds and its working fine. I vented the dry return with a Hoffman 40 as well. Sysytem is now running much better. At the end of my main it makes a turn and two pipes come out of it which go to the radiators in the front of the hous. In those pipes I installed the Gortons coming out of a thin pipe and tilted so the water drains.

ryanr256

I learned something..

Steamhead, thanks for pointing out the Ds will work on a main. I was going with the bigger is better philosophy without really thinking about it.



-Bob