richardson HEAT radiator traps

jvl1

I have a building that has twenty four of the Richardson HEAT traps with the little plug on the side. I read some posts from 2009 regarding these traps. Looking for clarification that there are no moving parts to these traps and that if radiator is not heating to unscrew the plug and clean the air hole? If this is true there should be no reason to replace? Thanks for any help.

JStar

Richardson

The only moving part is a ball bearing that seals the air hole.



http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1395/28.pdf

jvl1

thanks

Thanks to all posters. Wanted to let you know that (and I assume it would be this way for all traps) if you send Barnes and Jones a complete trap, if they are not able to find a cage unit to fit, they will make one for free and send it back. If it works and you re-order, they will add that unit to their sales line. I thinks this is my best solution. Thanks,again.

Steamhead

Is this a thermostatic trap

or the special elbow that uses a water seal?

jvl1

jeffl@winstelcontrols.com

Believe it to be a thermostatic trap (have not opened one up yet), It is definitely not the water seal elbow.

DanHolohan

Here's the pic.

Sorry for the delay. I've been sitting on a porch in Cape May, watching the ice in my drinks melt. 

JStar

Trap

We worked on a Richardson system over the winter. We had a mix of water-seal elbows, and these same traps. There is no top to open, so I assumed that they are water-seal as well.

jvl1

jvl10

Thanks for the info. I will have to revisit the job. The one in the picture I posted appeared to have what looked like a threaded cap. Did yours have the Richardson HEAT on the cap?

JStar

Trap

Yes, it did.

jvl1

jvl1

Thanks again for the info. Did you attempt to clean the port? Or did you just leave them alone? I have one apartment that end user says won't heat. Did you encounter any radiators that di not heat? If so, how did you proceed?

JStar

Steam

Like all great vapor systems, ours was completely butchered by previous contractors.



Every single radiator that did not heat, had the original Richardson traps on them. It is very important to understand that the water seals in these traps can only tolerate as much as about 3 ounces of steam pressure. Any more and the ball-check will not reopen. Thus, the radiator will not heat.



Guess what goes on every one of our new boilers? A Vaporstat! Set the operating pressure between 4 and 5 ounces, and every radiator in the house was heating properly.

jvl1

jvl1

Yeah I always recommend the vaporstat also, but you get these guys that say.  " the system worked for the last 10 years with a standard controller on it, why should I change now?" I do appreciate your response. In talking to Dan he said he had never seen these traps before so knowing they are just the updated version of the Richardson vapor water seal elbow is good to know. I'll file it away. Thanks

JStar

Steam

" the system worked for the last 10 years with a standard controller on it, why should I change now?"



This is where it's our job to educate the customer. With a Richardson system, it is absolutely NECESSARY to have a Vaporstat, or the traps won't work. On any conventional system, it acts as an economizer to reduce fuel consumption. It pays for itself.

jvl1

jvl1

You are preaching to the choir. Sometimes you gotta go up side their heads! Again, I appreciate your input.

gerry gill

I cant read

the patent date on the photo..can you tell me what that is? i may be able to find its patent for you..that would answer all our questions if we can.