Radiator Covers

ashebrook

I was lucky enough to find this drawing on this site that shows how radiator covers either increase or decrease radiator efficiency.



<a href="http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/posts/7867/Radiator%20Enclosures.pdf">http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/posts/7867/Radiator%20Enclosures.pdf</a>



Thanks to that information, I have changed my plans about what to build.  My question is, does anyone know what the sides of the radiator covers should be: solid or perforated?



The drawings do not show the sides and I can't find anything that addresses that part of the enclosures.

gerry gill

Before doing anything with radiator

covers, read this study from the university of illinois in 1929..i used to tell people to remove covers..now i tell them to design them well..after all, it is all about comfort.. 

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/4165

Rod

Radiator Covers

Hi- When you are talking about "sides" are you referring to the parts of the enclosure at the ends of the radiator?  If so I think I would leave them solid. The idea is to promote convection currents inside the enclosure to distribute the heat from the radiator and the long base opening should handle this. If you want to include a few ornamental openings in the "sides" for esthetics, it shouldn't make a difference.

- Rod.

HenryT

Enclosures

From reading the article, section 23 (pg 51) of pdf, it appears that vents/grilles on the side of the enclosures resulted in better steam efficiency and temperature output as compared to a enclsoure with solid sides.

Unless im reading this wrong...

gerry gill

You are correct,

vented sides are better..design as best as possible to enclosure #3