Main vent at last radiator

Brob

I recently added main vents to my one pipe steam system but Im concerned because I may have done something unconventional. I have two main steam lines in my home and have had issues with getting heat to the furthest radiators. Both the main lines were unvented and there was a plugged spot after the last run up on one side in the basement which Im assuming was for a main vent (it is a 3/8 npt tap which I used a bushing to get to 1/2 npt). On the other side however, there is no location for a vent. The run for the last radiator has about 20 feet of pipe in the basement between it and the previous run upstairs. After this run in the basement it shoots up to the second floor. I added a T right before the radiator and installed a cheap main vent from home depot, it seems to be helping greatly but is kind of noisy and rattles ( it's in the bedroom). Aside from the noise Is there any issue with this in particular? Would going with a more expensive vent potentially reduce the noise? Thanks.

New England SteamWorks

I am going to assume you have a counter flow system, which means the steam mains pitch upwards away from the radiators and end out in the basement, without returning to the boiler.

In these types of systems the main vents should be at the very ends of the mains, after the last radiator run-out. Sometimes, in smaller counter flow systems, no fittings were installed to allow for main vents. It seems in your case that one branch had a fitting installed (the 3/8ths tapping), and the other did not, which is a little odd.

Nothing wrong with adding a second vent where you did next to the radiator. If it is loud, it is likely because it is undersized. You simply have too much air trying to pass through too small of a vent. You could try a Gorton D vent, which is the largest capacity you are going to find for a tapping smaller than 1/2".

Best of course, would be to getting a fitting added to the end of the main in the basement so you can install a Big Mouth vent.

Sailah

I've been known to make the VariVent in any NPT size down to 1/8" as well as outfit a Big Mouth with a 1/2" tailpiece as long as someone asks nicely...

I'm fairly sure those will get you the most capacity for a single unit in their respective sizes.

Brob

Thanks for the responses! My system does return the water to the boiler- I have to clean out the dirty water. I've included pictures of the two new vents. The one in the basement screws onto a male 1/2 npt and the one in the bedroom screws into a female 3/4npt join.

Brob

I believe I misunderstood your description at first RI steam, it is as you described.

New England SteamWorks

Replace those two vents. Search Big Mouth Vent on Amazon. You'll be all set afterwards.

Brob

They seem to be out stock on amazon... @Sailah I see you are involved with making them, any indication on when they may be restocked? Also noob question... what is the back side tap for?

Sailah

Brob said:

They seem to be out stock on amazon... @Sailah I see you are involved with making them, any indication on when they may be restocked? Also noob question... what is the back side tap for?

Hi, we do indeed make them. I sent stock in yesterday should be a few days.

@Erin Holohan Haskell let me know that she has listed the Big Mouth on the Heating Help store. I would encourage anyone interested to click through the link there and help Heating Help for being a great site for all.

http://astore.amazon.com/heatinghelp-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=13

Thanks

Erin Holohan Haskell

Thanks, @Sailah!

hboogz

Let's say you have a parrallel flow system with wet returns, similar diemensions as the OP, and you can't access the basement where the main vent would ideally be installed (finished basement done years ago) -- would installing main vents on the top floor rads in a similar setup work to get the air vented faster and steam hitting all rads in or around the same time ?

Hitzkup

hboogz said:

would ideally be installed (finished basement done years ago) -- would installing main vents on the top floor rads in a similar setup work to get the air vented faster and steam hitting all rads in or around the same time ?

Not on the rads, doing this will vent them too fast, install them on a tee right before them.

rbeck

Gorton and Hoffman also make great vents.

Neild5

> @rbeck said:
> Gorton and Hoffman also make great vents.

True, but the Big Mouth vents as much as 2 Gorton #2 do and cost less than one. They also are smaller in size.