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Richardson System Variation

Danny Scully
Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
in THE MAIN WALL
Has anyone come across this return fitting in a Richardson System? If so, how does it work exactly?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=sAUNrOQx6C4

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    Does the spud that goes into the radiator have anything special about it?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    edited January 2018
    I’ll check today @Steamhead
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    As requested, no check though it seems.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    edited January 2018
    Works the same as the other version. The curved pipe dips down into the radiator section below the spud, where water collects. That creates the water seal. The hole drilled in the curved pipe is the air hole. The projection on the plug was probably to keep the vacuum check ball in place.

    My guess is they made that version to 1- display the name of the system, and 2- allow access to the air hole to clean it out without disconnecting the return fitting.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    But there is no check @steamhead. That’s the oddity.
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Never seen those ones, Danny. Were they taken apart before you? Were they causing a problem or you're just cleaning them up? Mad Dog
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    Danny Scully said:

    But there is no check @steamhead. That’s the oddity.

    Probably was originally and got removed or lost.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Looks like a part missing. Mad dog
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    Doing a kitchen/bathroom renovation. Installing radiant in these areas sadly and removing these few untouched rads. This garage can is being saved but not the rads :lol: wasn’t everything just so much cooler back then?!
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    edited January 2018
    I honestly don’t think anything is missing as i removed 3 rads and they were all the same. I just think i found a gem!
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    Do you know when the system was installed?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Great find, man. Save them for the heating archives. Mad dog
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    edited January 2018
    1925 @Steamhead. Maybe it was just a non-vacuum version, and that pin acted as a vacuum breaker? Or did the pin maybe act as or orifice? Maybe there are different size pins? The radiators I removed we’re all similar in size...maybe it’s like a model k system in that way?
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Hmm. Mad dog
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    edited January 2018
    Wanna figure it out over a beer(s) @Mad Dog?! :lol:
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    Thinking the orifice idea through a little more and i doubt that was the purpose, as the pinhole in the spud likely served that purpose (allowing the steam to condense before it entered the dry returns...
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    I’m also thinking my non vacuum idea isn’t probable either, as the main vent in the Richardson System is where the vacuum occurred...
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    In the Richardson, O-E, Kreibel and other systems, the check in the rad return was there to keep any steam in the dry return from being drawn into the rad when someone shut off the supply valve, which would create a vacuum. Remember, these systems were exceptions to the general rule that steam should not reach the dry returns.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,440
    Maybe that pin did act as a vacuum breaker @steamhead?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    Not sure. I'd have to see one up close. Sometimes you just have to be there.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519
    Dang Steamhead, you always have the answer. Yes Young Danny. A beer is in order. Me thinks
    You need to throw a BIG UGLY. I do declare, I did the last 2 in the NYC area 5 0r 6 years ago. Good attendance. Great times. Mr Taco, Johnny White was there, Robert O Brien at the other. The late, great Tommy Schwarz, Ron Jr, Jimmy The Gent Burke, Richie Bruno, Bob Chapman, Billy Gluckin, et cetera. You set it up and throw it, I'll be there and I WILL bring some peeps, ahhhhheyght? Mad Dog
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.

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