Need Help Identifying Steam Trap

slater

I have a trane steam trap that has no model markings on the body. It has an 1/2" inlet and outlet and on the cap it has The Trane Co Lacrosse Wis. On the top of the nut it has patented Dec 17, 1918 other pats pending. I tried replacing bellows with NOS b1 bellows but the threaded opening under the cap is way to large to screw it in. Can you help me identify this?

JUGHNE

How many to change? If only that one and you already have it removed, maybe go to some completely different trap body common to todays supply houses. (Hoffman or whatever)

You have to change the brass spud that is screwed into the radiator; That is a minor challenge which I personally enjoy, (though I do get paid for it, not enough, I'm sure, but I enjoy steam heating).

Spud removal info is on this site and also that U-tube advisor is quite educational. Much to learn there, many times what not to do. If you do one spud and don't have a bad experience then maybe change all your traps/bodies.

Tunstall can probably get you something to fit those threads.

Steamhead

Barnes & Jones has a listing for a Trane trap with no number- that's probably what you have. The "orifice" (seat diameter?) of this trap is 21/64", you might check yours to see if it matches. Go here for that page of the B&J catalog:

http://barnesandjones.com/resource/non-top/thermostatic-t/

Tunstall doesn't seem to have an equivalent part.

Sailah

Hi Peter Owens here with Barnes & Jones. Bill Nesbitt is interested in seeing that trap and we'd be willing to fit with a cage unit, test it, and ship it back no charge if you would send it to us for a week.

We looked through all the old Trane drawings since we bought them and can't find anything so it's a mystery to us too.

Steamhead

Welcome to the Wall, Peter. You may have opened the floodgates with regard to steam trap inquiries, but if that results in more orders it can't be a bad thing, eh?

Sailah

Thank you sir. If people need help, we'll help them, that's what we are here for.

gerry gill

Yeah! Glad to see somebody else interested in the old patents. I've learned more from reading old patents than any other source. Slater, do take up Peter's offer on the radiator trap. We recently sent a Bishop Babcock trap to Barnes and Jones, and they were able to outfit it with cage units and also returned our original trap. Outstanding service on their part.

slater

Sent out trap today to Barnes & Jones. I'll Be glad to see what they come up with.

slater

I have seen some with internals that look very very close to this. Some have what are called bellows.

Sailah

Got the trap in from Eric this morning. I want to pretend like it was a tough one and we sweated it out all day, but Mike our cage unit guru picked out the right one with just one look. We put it on the rack and tested it, Danny says it passes and he tests every single unit that leaves our factory. Thought a little video might be interesting to show behind the curtains as everyone likes seeing old machines...

Thanks for sending in the unit, now we have a part number to add to the knowledge base. Seems this is a popular service I have 2 more that are supposed to be sent in haha


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm2aAhUSQL4

slater

I love it when u solve a problem like this and bring a relic back to life and have it functioning as good as new. Spent a lot of time researching this trap with out much luck. Hard to find anybody who deals with residential steam. Thanks Peter at Barnes & Jones for taking this on and solving the mystery.

slater

Picture of 1 version of the internal guts.<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5021738/uploads/FileUpload/97/6ac0b2648cd9aa439e79e537607fef.jpg" />

Sailah

Jim_R said:

Cool... you were able reuse the original cap .. no pics of what was originally in there ? Should of mic'd Danny
Well @slater kinda like hitting the lottery on one ticket ... you came to the right place with your question... probably time to change them all out ..

@Sailah Something I've been kicking around..any thermostatic element that runs on an expansive liquid you can probably fit ?

A mic on Danny would have been...interesting

The original cover sealed up perfect no leaks. On the video it was just hand tight.

Our thermostatic elements are filled with a top secret liquid...

Steamhead

This Trane trap is illustrated on page 257 of "The Lost Art of Steam Heating".

Sailah

I think @Jim_R and @Steamhead wanted some follow up info on our testing so I asked Danny if it would be OK to film him again. I go get the camera and he changed into his nice clean work shirt and all the guys in the shop were ribbing him because he has never worn it in 30 years...

If people have more interest in how steam traps work, how we make them etc I could easily do more videos if they are helpful. Please let me know and I'll try to make more.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsXEHfKjqII

nicholas bonham-carter

Let's have a Barnes and Jones large capacity, repairable air vent for one-pipe systems sometime soon. A good size would be equal to 2+ Gorton 2w. Get Danny to autograph each one for added value!!!.--NBC

gerry gill

very cool videos. thanks for posting them.

Sailah

nicholas bonham-carter said:

Let's have a Barnes and Jones large capacity, repairable air vent for one-pipe systems sometime soon. A good size would be equal to 2+ Gorton 2w. Get Danny to autograph each one for added value!!!.--NBC

Unfortunately we are just 2 pipe steam.

I did think a cool video would be to film an actual steam trap survey. I have one fella in mind that I was just with at a large Boston area university. Get some footage of him testing a F&T using a FLIR camera and his ultrasonic tester. What he's looking and listening for, false readings, things to look out for. I'll see if I can get out in the field with him soon and post it. I know I always find the field session informative to take back to the office.

Maybe even get a cameo of yours truly doing a faceplate swap....

Steamhead

Well, 2-pipe steam still needs to be vented. Here's one venting job you probably haven't seen yet.............

http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/142217/the-king-of-all-crossover-traps#latest