Radiator renovation

hot_rod

I filmed a video this weekend of a "cut and collapse" nipple extraction.


Here is the tube radiator ready for infrared testing. The base of this radiator has a bunch of baffles cast it, probably to even the steam flow to all the tubes.
I was able to thread a piece of 1/2 pex to the far end to see how well this conversion valve works.

FranklinD

You have the coolest job ever!

I can't wait to see what it looks like on IR. The Honeywell Unique valves always intrigued me in terms of how well they flow...now adding non-connected columns to the mix, well, wow.

How will you bleed the air out? Maybe you answered that in a previous thread...if so, I apologize.

Beautiful radiator.

Andy

hot_rod

I drilled and tapped an 1/8 hole near the top opposite end. It had an 1/8 tap for the steam vent, about 1/2 way up that I flush plugged.

I'm not sure how the volumes will fill and heat with forced water compared to stem. i expect over a period of time the whole mass will warm, anxious to see how it fills and heats.

Thanks to Stephen for rescuing this beauty, the church it was removed from is 141 years old, maybe the radiator also?

EzzyT

I believe that is a wrought iron radiator, made after the civil war they used rifle barrels left over from the war as the volumes/tubes.

Solid_Fuel_Man

It will be interesting to see some thermal imaging of this. I would still try the vacuum pump on this before filling with water to see how much more water can be drawn up those tubes.

My radiator jealously just becomes worse.....

Taylor

FranklinD

Yes...that was my thought too. I have a device known as a "RadKit Plus" made by Snap-On made for refilling empty automotive cooling systems. It negates the need to burp air bubbles out of the system later.

Using shop air thru a Venturi, it draws down to about 27" vacuum, then you open a valve to allow the fluid in. It works wonders on vehicles that are notoriously difficult to purge air from (BMW, Subaru, some Hondas and Toyotas).

I wonder how well it would work on that type of radiator...would almost HAVE to be better than just filling and hoping the bubbles left in the columns aren't too much to prevent decent heat output.

Solid_Fuel_Man

@FranklinD I held an ASE master automotive technician for many years. It's exactly the same thing that I brought over to my HVAC career. Pulling a vacuum on closed loop systems prior to filling works wonders for commissioning.


Taylor