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I've got heat again!

Finally finished repiping my boiler, and for once in I don't know how many years, the condensate is returning to the boiler. The system is running quietly and steam is hitting the ends of the mains very fast. From a dead start with cold water added it took about 10-12 minutes till the end of mains got hot.I still have a little tweeking to do, and I need to insulate everything again, but all in all I'm very happy with the outcome. (and sore) I have the utmost respect for those of you that do this kind of thing everyday. The before pics are located here <a href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/135119/question-on-return-trap-air-vent">http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/135119/question-on-return-trap-air-vent</a> and here's the afters. I would not have been able to redo any of this without Dan's books, and all the info, advice, and help I have received on this site. Thank you all. Dee

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Comments

  • crash2009
    crash2009 Member Posts: 1,484
    Looks pretty sweet Dee

    Here is everything I got on insulation.  http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/137178/Insulation
  • moneypitfeeder
    moneypitfeeder Member Posts: 252
    Thanks

    I've read that post several times, I love how you show how to deal with all the different fittings!

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  • Techman
    Techman Member Posts: 2,144
    Congrats!

    What is that blue device on the wall?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,380
    That's

    a Return Trap. This is a Vapor system.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • moneypitfeeder
    moneypitfeeder Member Posts: 252
    that beast is

    A Marsh return trap and next to it the blue can is the air eliminator. My system fully heats the house at 1/2 of a psi. (the needle on my low pressure gauge just flutters just above zero)

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  • Techman
    Techman Member Posts: 2,144
    Trap

    How old is the trap in the photo? How many traps in the entire system?
  • moneypitfeeder
    moneypitfeeder Member Posts: 252
    My best guess

    Would be 1920-1924, The diagram for the system is here http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/163/Older-Steam-Heating-Systems/2037/Marsh-System-of-Vapor-Heating



    They were marketing a different system in 1918 and my house was built in 1925. The return trap was still stamped patent pending, so it was before a patent was given.



    There is the return trap & air eliminator, at the ends of both my mains there were Marsh No. 5 vents, and there are (mostly, some have been changed or were added later) Marsh No 1 radiator traps.



    The ends of the mains were changed to a Gorton No. 2 at each side. Jury is still out as to if the air eliminator, (small blue can in photo) is venting fast enough or not, seems to be, but I left myself an easy out if I need to add venting there by using 2 unions on the pipe that feeds it. If I need to add venting I should be able to take that piece out without disrupting the rest of the piping and reconfigure that section with a new vent added in.

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  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    Fantastic Job! Fantastic System!

    You have done a fantastic job of repiping and getting the system into its optimum configuration!  Wow! 

    I also really like that your system is completely intact and you serviced and repainted your return trap and air eliminator.



    My Dunham system components were removed a long time ago, replaced with a condensate return pump.  Now that I am running a vaporstat, it is completely not needed. 
    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
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,315
    I'm jealous :(

    I'm still at least 2 weeks out before I'll have heat other than my pellet stove.



    You did a good job!  I hope mine ends up even half as good.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • moneypitfeeder
    moneypitfeeder Member Posts: 252
    thanks!

    Your system is looking good too, I see you went with Ward also, I really liked those fittings, some things I didn't account for, and had to go with what was nearby and available, man did I notice a difference. Love your oversized header she'll have dry steam for sure!

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