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basement heat

murph51
murph51 Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
i am adding a steam radiator to my basement. the boiler is also in the basement. it is a one pipe system to the rest of the house. i am going to put the radiator on the wall high enough, so i can return the condensate back to the condensate return. i am just not sure how to pie it. do i need a steam trap?? how would i control the temp?? thanks for any help!!

Comments

  • MTC
    MTC Member Posts: 217
    Post some pictures

    of the area where you want it, showing the steam and return lines, and mark on the picture where you want the radiator. This will help us know exactly what you're dealing with and help us give better advice.
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    Radiators below the steam main

    Generally, it is advisable to get the radiator as high as you can.  The steam supply can feed downward to the radiator.  The opposite side of the radiator, you will need a drip line coming out of the bottom radiator.  The best thing is to take this down to the floor level, or nearly so, so that it is well below the boiler water line.  Extend this line and connect it to the wet returns. The return line does not need to be vented.  However, the radiator will need a vent.  As always, the vent should be around 1/2 to 1/3 of the distance from the bottom to the top of the radiator and on the opposite side as the steam inlet.



    There are some other issues to think about.  What is the maximum pressure that the boiler runs.  Will you ever turn this radiator off?  If you turn this radiator off and then your boiler runs a steaming cycle during which the pressure rises to 2 psi, this would cause the condensate to back up 60" above the normal water line into a vessel that is vented to the atmosphere, which this radiator would be.  So, if this is even a remote possibility, you should put a valve on both the inlet and the outlet of the radiator.
    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
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,157
    basement

    You should consider running a hot water loop for the basement. It will probably be cheaper to install and will not really add to operating costs. Besides for the potential problems mentioned above you do need to ensure that that radiator is secured properly. Cast iron radiators are VERY heavy and you really don't want to come falling down from the ceiling!!
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