I've got heat again!

moneypitfeeder

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

crash2009

Looks pretty sweet Dee

Here is everything I got on insulation.  http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/137178/Insulation

moneypitfeeder

Thanks

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

Techman

Congrats!

What is that blue device on the wall?

Steamhead

That's

a Return Trap. This is a Vapor system.

moneypitfeeder

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)

Techman

Trap

How old is the trap in the photo? How many traps in the entire system?

moneypitfeeder

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.

Dave in QCA

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. 

ChrisJ

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.

moneypitfeeder

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!