Faux 2 pipe on a Baseray.

delcrossv

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.

Steamhead

What are all the rust stains?

delcrossv

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..

mattmia2

What's connected to the far end of the bottom tube, or is it just plumbed such that only the top tube heats?

JUGHNE

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

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".

mattmia2

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

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

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.

JUGHNE

It seems the condensate would return thru the bottom.
Somebody here knows.

ratio

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

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.

delcrossv

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).

Hap_Hazzard

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?

JUGHNE

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

@JUGHNE Can you post a link to the video?

JUGHNE

Go to Gordo's channel, plenty of things to watch.
Someone here can do that link....just not me...too challenged.

delcrossv

@JUGHNE What's his name on you tube and I'll look him up.

Edit- found it Gordon Schweitzer. 👍😎

JUGHNE

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.

Erin Holohan Haskell

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA_ZKNA-k-nA4eH5qNb3jXA

delcrossv

Erin Holohan Haskell said:

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA_ZKNA-k-nA4eH5qNb3jXA

Thanks Erin!