garage radiator

k2steamheat

c 1935 residental garage radiator for steam.

k2steamheat

k2steamheat

Anyway the house heats fine and it is a lot better since i reduced the pressure after reading chapter 1. We have an open stairway from the basement and the main pipes are uninsulated in a semi finished basement. I'm just wondering what would be the correct radiation for this type of in wall application?

k2steamheat

I'll go ahead and post some pics of the system. I'm getting some bouncing water in the site glass and short cycling of the feed but that is a whole bunch better since i reduced the pressure. I have more reading to do on the large return trap and the air eliminator. I'm a little concerned about the under concrete return leaking because the near boiler 2 inch return had corroded thru and was replaced. We only went back in to one side of the boiler which seemed logical at the time but now I'm not so sure. Here are a few pics. and thanks..

k2steamheat

Well the old boiler dumped all the water on the floor the other day so it's all coming out and we are switching to hot water. if there is any interest in the old trap or other parts send me a pm. I also have a box of new mepco traps.

Steamhead

If you're using the existing steam piping and radiators with hot-water, someone has given you some very bad advice. Hot-water runs over ten times the pressure of steam, so if there are any weak points they WILL leak. And, a hot-water radiator only gives 2/3 the heat of the same size steam radiator, so the house will probably not heat well.

If they're touting a super-efficient wall-hung boiler, realize that it must run with water temperatures below 140° F to achieve those efficiency levels. With undersized radiation, it will have to run hotter than that, so its efficiency will disappear.

You need to reconsider this.

k2steamheat

Unfortunately the invisible radiation put in in the 30's was not only invisible but useless as well. Everything comes out and we'll start from scratch.. . It's going to be a big job.. I had another hot water system installed 20 years ago on another property that I'm very happy with. i think that will be my model. But I'll take a look at the wall hung unit. .. Right now I'm thinking Slant fin cast iron hopefully with a standing pilot?

acwagner

If you want advice on a hot water system setup, probably best to start a new thread in a different section. It'll get more visibility that way.

But, since we're in the strictly steam section, what makes you want to get rid of the steam system other than you're unfamiliar with steam? You didn't mention any specific problems, other than apparently the boiler sprung a leak. Which, coincidentally, puts you in a good position because it means you have the chance to put in a new boiler right, and not have to live with the mistakes of others like most of us do. All the other problems are fixable, and certainly less costly than ripping out the system and installing an entirely new one (in mid-December no less).

Steamhead

We have plenty of customers with that type of radiation and it works fine. Do a heat loss on the building and make sure there's enough radiation- a lack of sufficient radiation is the only thing that could make it not work.

k2steamheat

The other problems besides the boiler and the insufficient radiation are 1. under slab return that is likely leaking a bit and likely to leak more. 2. no great and code compliant way to heat and zone the finished basement using steam. 3. steam pipes are to low for code compliant headroom in a finished basement. 4 . moving the boiler to a different location improves the current living space in basement...... I would be happy if someone could talk me out of it while I go get my sawzall and 3 ft wrenches...... I posted here to see if anyone wanted any parts... the mepco traps are 20 years old but have never been installed... That big clunky return trap has to be a classic and in better shape than most I've seen pictured..

SteamCoffee

PM sent!

Danny Scully

All your points are easily addressable 1) repipe the return lines above the slab 2) ceiling or wall hung radiators, or a condensate zone 3/4) repipe...You’re making a mistake, but best of luck @k2steamheat.

Fred

Oddly enough, I seem to hear the muffled sounds of a sawzall somewhere in the neighborhood.

k2steamheat

Around here I can't even find anyone that can spell steam heat never mind install and fix it... I'll also be giving away my "Lost Art " book. I did enjoy it however..

MilanD

Shame. Btw, careful with all that asbestos insulation. Where are you located? I might be interested in the MEPCO traps. I pmd you.

k2steamheat

Looks like the parts are spoken for.