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Add main vent?

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Dsisson
Dsisson Member Posts: 92
in Strictly Steam
My steam system (1920s vintage) does not have main vents. (Seriously). I have an opportunity to add a vent to one of the mains, but not the other. Should I do it, or do I need to add them to both?

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,868
    edited November 2014
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    Do them both. Why do you have the opportunity on just one main?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Dsisson
    Dsisson Member Posts: 92
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    I'm relocating a radiator - going to be removing the end of the main - so it's easy to add at one end. A whole 'nother chore to add at the other end. I figure I'll do the other end eventually, but not sure if I'll screw anything up by adding at just one main.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,739
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    If you only do one you are almost surely going to cause some crazy imbalance in the system. One main will heat a lot faster than the other one. You could post some pics of the end of your mains and people might have some suggestions on how to add vents. Sometimes you can drill and tap a hole into an existing fitting without tearing a bunch of the piping apart. As steamhead said you should add venting to both mains.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,868
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    Also, how long are your mains, and what pipe size? This can influence how you attach main vents.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • PMJ
    PMJ Member Posts: 1,265
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    What kind of system do you have? I run my 1926 2 pipe vapor/natural vacuum system with no main vents. The only venting is on the return.
    1926 1000EDR Mouat 2 pipe vapor system,1957 Bryant Boiler 463,000 BTU input, Natural vacuum operation with single solenoid vent, Custom PLC control
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,739
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    PMJ said:

    What kind of system do you have? I run my 1926 2 pipe vapor/natural vacuum system with no main vents. The only venting is on the return.

    That return venting is basically the main venting. For the sake of argument any vent in the basement is a main vent. By what the OP is saying they have no vents in the basement at all, so the rad vents are trying to do all the work. It's possible nothing has been upgraded on the old system since it was coal fired.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • Dsisson
    Dsisson Member Posts: 92
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    Exactly-no vents at all in the basement-not updated since coal. Except for the gas conversion kit.
  • vaporvac
    vaporvac Member Posts: 1,520
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    Is it possible you have a vapor/vacuum system? I also have one and the vents look unusual. My system also just has the one and the piping has never been "updated"/changed. could you possible post some pics of your system?
    Two-pipe Trane vaporvacuum system; 1466 edr
    Twinned, staged Slantfin TR50s piped into 4" header with Riello G400 burners; 240K lead, 200K lag Btus. Controlled by Taco Relay and Honeywell RTH6580WF
  • PMJ
    PMJ Member Posts: 1,265
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    So is this a one pipe system or two? You said there are two mains. Do they both supply steam or is one a return?

    1926 1000EDR Mouat 2 pipe vapor system,1957 Bryant Boiler 463,000 BTU input, Natural vacuum operation with single solenoid vent, Custom PLC control
  • Dsisson
    Dsisson Member Posts: 92
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    One pipe system w/2 mains. Both mains supply steam and have seperate returns.

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