Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Faux 2 pipe on a Baseray.

delcrossv
delcrossv Member Posts: 740
edited December 2021 in Strictly Steam
Anyone else seen a rig like this before?
Seems someone got around the " Don't hook a Baseray up to 1 pipe steam" rule. Interestingly, it works- gets hot no gurgle or bang.






Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    What are all the rust stains?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    edited December 2021
    Steamhead said:

    What are all the rust stains?

    Whole building is like that.(???) Replaced a dozen blown vents. Maybe sometime in the past someone screwed with the pressuretrol? That's my guess. Nothing seems to be leaking out of it now..
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,574
    What's connected to the far end of the bottom tube, or is it just plumbed such that only the top tube heats?
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    This was shown either on the wall or in books.
    There was a check valve in the return line, probably under the cover.

    The check kept the steam only in the top pipe across the convector and apparently enough build up of condensate water would open the check to drain.
    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    edited December 2021
    JUGHNE said:

    This was shown either on the wall or in books.
    There was a check valve in the return line, probably under the cover.

    The check kept the steam only in the top pipe across the convector and apparently enough build up of condensate water would open the check to drain.

    That makes some sense. It seems the idea is steam goes up past the valve through the top tube and condensate returns through the bottom tube to the reducing tee. There's an internal connection between the top and bottom tube, yes?

    I didn't see a check, but maybe the attempt is by using a smaller tube on the bottom "return".
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,574
    delcrossv said:



    That makes some sense. It seems the idea is steam goes up past the valve through the top tube and condensate returns through the bottom tube to the reducing tee. There's an internal connection between the top and bottom tube, yes?

    i don't believe so, why i was asking about what was going on at the other end

  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    I would say the other end of the convector tube has a tee with the vent on top of it's run and the smaller pipe is connected to the bottom run of the tee.
    Then the check valve and connection to the steam riser for drip.
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    edited December 2021
    mattmia2 said:



    i don't believe so, why i was asking about what was going on at the other end

    I didn't look closely, but I did not see see any external connection between the top tube and the bottom. Just a vent in the top and a plug in the bottom. (insert confused smiley here). If it's connected internally the rig makes sense.
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    It seems the condensate would return thru the bottom.
    Somebody here knows.
    delcrossv
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,615
    I remember the drawlings, the basic idea was to let the baseboard itself operate as if it were connected to a two pipe system. IF there's a top to bottom connection on the far end of these, it's pretty close to what (I think I remember) the drawlings said to do. If not, then only the top section is working, since there's no way for the air to leave the lower section. The rusty marks make me think of leaks. Perhaps that's how they were being vented.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    There’s no end caps on that Baseray, just the cast iron radiator. Therefore, there’s no check valve. The sections of the casting are hollow inside from top to bottom, not segregated. There are tappings, top and bottom, on each end of each 2’ section, either threaded or push nipple.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    mattmia2delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    Ironman said:

    There’s no end caps on that Baseray, just the cast iron radiator. Therefore, there’s no check valve. The sections of the casting are hollow inside from top to bottom, not segregated. There are tappings, top and bottom, on each end of each 2’ section, either threaded or push nipple.

    Now it makes sense. In through the top to the vent, condensate out the bottom through the smaller pipe. In any event, the rig works. There'd be a differential in "drag" between the larger top pipe and the smaller bottom pipe (made even smaller with condensate flow).
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    delcrossv said:

    Steamhead said:

    What are all the rust stains?

    Whole building is like that.(???) Replaced a dozen blown vents. Maybe sometime in the past someone screwed with the pressuretrol? That's my guess. Nothing seems to be leaking out of it now..
    Is it rust or Hu Flung Dung?
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
    delcrossvIronman
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Just watched (for the second time) a Gordo Utube about dead men secrets that showed a 1 pipe convector with the check valve return. Always good Utubes.

    I wonder if that small union could have an orifice in it to restrict steam from going that way. Letting the water dribble back down.
    (not a dead man theory...not yet anyway ;) )
    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    @JUGHNE Can you post a link to the video?
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Go to Gordo's channel, plenty of things to watch.
    Someone here can do that link....just not me...too challenged. :'(
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    edited December 2021
    @JUGHNE What's his name on you tube and I'll look him up. :)

    Edit- found it Gordon Schweitzer. 👍😎
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    There is a similar channel with that name but you will know when you get to Gordo's.
    Hours worth watching....steam and some HW.....even some historical tours.
    delcrossv
  • Erin Holohan Haskell
    Erin Holohan Haskell Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 2,276
    President
    HeatingHelp.com
    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 740
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    Erin Holohan Haskell