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Main Vent - Big Mouth Still the Best??

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AdmiralYoda
AdmiralYoda Member Posts: 627
in Strictly Steam
Hi guys....been away for a year or three. Before I took a hiatus, I had learned that my steam mains have NO main vents. The radiator vents do all the venting!!!

A few years ago the Barnes and Jones Big Mouth main vents were considered the best. Is that still true?

I found a fitting at the end of one of the mains that will allow me to install an antler setup and want to get moving on this.

Any idea why they are out of stock on Amazon? Seems like supply house has them at descent prices.

Thanks!

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  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,702
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    Mine started leaking steam after a couple months of use so I had to take it out of service. I just contacted B&J to ask them about it because I love the design and build and capacity of the vent and I really want to love it again but right now I'm using a Gorton #1 which I'm sure will be too small once I insulate my mains but works fine now (the velocity of air escaping is easily handled by the #1 currently).

    And I'm glad you are getting this fixed, you will have so much better performance with the main venting installed!
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • AdmiralYoda
    AdmiralYoda Member Posts: 627
    edited October 2019
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    Every inch of my mains are insulated. I'm hoping it will help me save a few bucks and take some stress off of the boiler. It's 35 years old but still running strong.

    I'm not sure if there is a rule of thumb but this main has 4 radiators on it and about 60ft of main. Was planning on two Big Mouths for that main.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,677
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    ethicalpaul said:

    Mine started leaking steam after a couple months of use so I had to take it out of service. I just contacted B&J to ask them about it because I love the design and build and capacity of the vent and I really want to love it again but right now I'm using a Gorton #1 which I'm sure will be too small once I insulate my mains but works fine now (the velocity of air escaping is easily handled by the #1 currently).

    And I'm glad you are getting this fixed, you will have so much better performance with the main venting installed!

    Where was it leaking? From the valve seat it self?
    Is the O ring in place?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,286
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    Big Mouth vents are indeed still very good. Are they "the best"? For many situations, probably. For others, vents with floats to seal against water might be a better choice. For yet others, you might need a vent to hold a vacuum...

    In your situation, one of two Big Mouths would probably be a good choice.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,702
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    ChrisJ said:

    Where was it leaking? From the valve seat it self?
    Is the O ring in place?

    From the hole in the middle of the main circular component.

    I don't know if an O-ring is in place, but I never removed one :sweat_smile:
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • AdmiralYoda
    AdmiralYoda Member Posts: 627
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    I just happened to be on their website...might be worth taking it apart. All the parts are replaceable.
    ethicalpaul
  • steam4400
    steam4400 Member Posts: 1
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    My main vent is leaking, I can get a 3 lbs or 5 lbs psi. What is the way of choosing the good one?
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,677
    edited October 2019
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    steam4400 said:

    My main vent is leaking, I can get a 3 lbs or 5 lbs psi. What is the way of choosing the good one?

    Excuse you? :)

    I've never heard of this way of rating steam vents?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    steam4400 said:

    My main vent is leaking, I can get a 3 lbs or 5 lbs psi. What is the way of choosing the good one?

    How long are your steam mains, and what pipe size?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting

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