Interesting Hot Water Manifold

New England SteamWorks

I just received some advanced photos for a hot water job I am going to look at soon. The manifold looks quite interesting, and I am wondering if anyone has any insights? Looks like I should be able to convert it to 3 zones, right now it is just one. There's a big expansion tank in the ceiling, which we'll of course remove.









Thanks!

Solid_Fuel_Man

Wow, nice cast from the gravity past! The three points of connection to the compression tank are neat too. Would get all the air to the tank somewhat effectively.

STEVEusaPA

New England SteamWorks said:

...There's a big expansion tank in the ceiling, which we'll of course remove...

Rut-roh...I wonder who has something to say about it...lol

hot_rod

Looks like the boiler has been replaced before? Nice collectible piece, that header.

Solid_Fuel_Man

@STEVEusaPA that was at the forefront of my mind as well!

New England SteamWorks

I am guessing there has been more than one replacement boiler since the original...

New England SteamWorks

We haven't done a water boiler in a very long time, and we really didn't enjoy all the purging and radiator bleeding. Still, it was a pleasant change in the routine, and came out nicely.

It's a wrap!

hot_rod

That's quite a piece, judging by the gauge, it is old, old!

Solid_Fuel_Man

Well you didn't paint your new copper brown to match! Steam guys.......

kcopp

What is there to prevent the boiler from condensing? I imagine w/ that much water content it will be in condensing mode for a good while.

STEVEusaPA

Look at you 'slumming it' with a water boiler... Looks nice.
Is that exp tank ok hanging like that?

The Steam Whisperer

I'd be worried about the size of the compression tank too. If that's the typical gravity system, especially with columnar rads, they hold a lot of water. Fortunately they don't get too hot usually, but a tank bigger than a #30 usually is needed. I have had to use floor mounted tanks or 2 to 3 #30, or 60's in some systems.

Steam can be a lot easier to installed in many ways.... you don't have to watch out for condensation or cold or hot shocking nearly as much.

Solid_Fuel_Man

I just think those steam guys are not used to figuring the weight of water in their pipes! Think of the whole system as a wet return....minus the corrosion!