Are these main vents?

hottapp1

Are these main vents and should the second one have the nipple and cap installed into the bottom port?



Any suggestions and advice is appreciated.



Scott

moneypitfeeder

Nothing vents faster than an open pipe

But more seriously, does live steam ever come out the bottom port on that fitting? It doesn't look like any vents that I have seen, is this a functioning steam system currently in use? Also where the fitting threads into the reducer, does that go somewhere through the wood, or is the top of that capped or open as well?

Steamhead

Those ARE main vents

you have an "O-E" Vapor system. Those vents have a carbon post which expands to close the opening, and a check ball which holds vacuum. The radiator return fittings have little water seals in them.



If these vents are leaking, you can replace them with standard vents such as Gortons.



This system was designed to run at very low pressure, typically no more than half a pound. If you run too much pressure, the water will back up in the returns and come out of the vents. That's probably why someone capped the one vent. The boiler should have a Vaporstat to control the pressure that cannot be set higher than a pound.  

hottapp1

Are these main vents?

Thank You for the help with step one!



We bought an old victorian home this last summer with a steam heating system in it, the boiler itself was replaced approx. just 12 yrs. old, and as winter has fallen upon us, the entire system is operating in disaster mode. As the temps got down to freezing over the last few weeks, I though the water hammers were literally going to knock the house off the foundation. I purchased Dan's books last week and am getting an accelerated crash course in steam heat.



My 1st discovery and correction after day one of reading the book was that the setting on the pressuretrol was max'ed out at 9 psi. Geez.... So, that is down to .5 psi and things are looking up. Things can only get better I think.



I am working along with numerous other discoveries, situations, and problems; and not necessarily in that order. This posted question just one of many, many more I'm sure.



MTF



Thanks again!

nicholas bonham-carter

O-E vapor

You may find if you install a 0-16 ounce vaporstat (pex supply.com), and remove the cap, that those vents will work fine at a few ounces of pressure. Their mechanism is pretty simple, that maybe a good cleaning will restore them. If not then I am sure another main vent location can be found.

You don't have enough space to install conventional main vents in that fitting.

There should be quite a difference in fuel consumption between 5psi, and a few ounces.--NBC

hottapp1

are these main vents?

Are you suggesting that I change out the pressuretrol with a vaporstat?



I will get into what I have learned today is the "air exhauster and vacuum valve" when the weather permits a few days with the system down. I now am confident that the installed nipple and cap on the one valve is inappropriate and likely causing some of my problems.



Does anyone know if these air exhauster and vacuum valves are even available anymore?



As I read and learn more, I will have other questions and photos of my system on this forum. Many parts of my system seem completely inappropriate. Stand-by...



Thank you all for your input.



SH

nicholas bonham-carter

O-E venting problems

Yes your problems stem from the pre existing vents having become inoperative due to over pressure. If the pressure is limited with a vaporstat, then they may be able to function again, due to their rather simple mechanism, but their operating pressure is 0- 8 ounces, which is below the normal pressuretrol.--NBC

Steamhead

When you got Dan's books

did you get "The Lost Art of Steam Heating"? If so, the O-E system is in chapter 15, with illustrations of the radiator return fitting and the vent. 

hottapp1

Are these main vents?

Yes I did. Chapter 15 it is....I'll skip ahead to it right away and get to work studying.



Are those O-E exhaust and vacuum valves still available?

Steamhead

Nope

the Great Depression (1929, not 2008) killed a lot of these companies. I believe O-E was one of them.



I'd use a Gorton #2 on each main, shortening the vent riser if needed.

hottapp1

Are these main vents?

Copy and thank you for the info.



I'll do a vaporstat 0-16oz. in place of the pressuretrol and Gordon's #2 if these existing O-E exhausters can't be R & R'd.



I'll guess that the 90` ball check device that is on each of the radiator's return lines is unavailable too?







Scott H.

Steamhead

Same thing

but in this case you can use a standard radiator trap. AFAIK, the Hoffman 17c has the closest air throughput to your O-E return ells.

hottapp1

Are these main vents?

Hello again to all you helpful and knowledgeable experts!!



I found another type of valve in my system yesterday. It has labeling of a ...#2 Hoffman Siphon Air & Vacuum Valve. Jan. 2 1917.......Geez.



Its is quite apparent that this valve is non-functional as all the other main vents were. Is there a current valve that I can use that is comparable/functioning ?



I have included a photo. Disregard the string, it's not related.



Thank you all for the input and help with my adventure!!!



Scott H.

hottapp1

Are these main vents?

Hello again to all you helpful and knowledgeable experts!!



I found another type of valve in my system yesterday. It has labeling of a ...#2 Hoffman Siphon Air & Vacuum Valve. Jan. 2 1917.......Geez.



Its is quite apparent that this valve is non-functional as all the other main vents were. Is there a current valve that I can use that is comparable/functioning ?



I have included a photo. Disregard the string, it's not related.



Thank you all for the input and help with my adventure!!!



Scott H.