Cast radiator question

Double D

Does anyone see a problem mounting this radiator vertically and feeding into the bottom 1" tapping? 

EdTheHeaterMan

Nope. No problem. Just hang it properly so all the weight is not on the connected piping.

Is this for steam or Hot water? Make sure you have the proper vent location. Top for Hot water and bottom 1/3 on the opposite side of the supply for a Steamer. on the steamer you will need a slight pitch so condensation does not build up on any of the "ladder rungs" then drip off into a hot steaming area and flash (BANG) into steam again. That will not be a good design.

random12345

I could be wrong but I believe what you have there is a pair of No. 7-A Peerless Wall Radiators made by the American Radiator Company. The 1925 catalog says on page 3: "Should always be assembled with bars vertical to insure highest heating efficiency." Every picture in that catalog has them assembled this way. Also says on page 19: "Suggested forms of application to piers or narrow spacings. It will be seen in these applications that the bars of the radiator sections are always vertical."
https://archive.org/details/americanpeerless00amer/page/2/mode/2up
A 1929 catalog says the same thing, "Peerless Wall Radiators should always be assembled with bars vertical to secure greatest heating efficiency. The 7- and 9-foot Sections are, therefore, made in two styles: Nos. 7-A and 9-A have bars running crosswise of the Section and are regularly tapped for connecting end to end as illustrated. Nos. 7-B and 9-B have bars running lengthwise of the Section and are regularly tapped for connecting side by side as illustrated."
https://archive.org/details/american-radiator-company-pdf-a/page/n219/mode/2up
But then in this older 1910 catalog with Rococo Wall Radiators, on page 209, it shows them connected with the bars horizontal:
https://archive.org/details/idealfitterradia00amerrich/page/208/mode/2up
Neither catalog shows any radiator piped vertically into the bottom though the way you want to do it. So like Ed said, it's probably okay as long as everything is properly supported with brackets, but it's not the preferred way to do it. The catalogs above have many installation suggestions. Based on my calculations for linear expansion of cast iron, it might expand 1-1.1 mm vertically, so you might want to leave a tiny bit of space between the rad and the top part of the bracket to account for that. I think I see a plug on the vent. That may be tough to remove if it's single pipe steam.

Double D

One pipe steam system.

I was a little concerned about the possibility of hammering especially since the feed will go into a bottom tapping vs a side tapping.
I'm not concerned about losing some of the output. It's 4sqft more than the one it's replacing. 

Thanks so much for the input.

random12345

I'm not a pro, and I'm not sure, but if I were in your position, I think I would consider getting a new radiator with legs. No need to deal with the hassle of drilling holes into the studs for the brackets. I'm guessing this is an old house. Hard to know what's behind the wall and whether or not it can support the weight of that thing. I remember when my neighbor had his house renovated (it was built in 1939 by the same people that built our house), there were disconnected studs in there. Even if it can support the weight, anytime you drill holes, it weakens the structural integrity. Then there's possible hammering as you mentioned, so it needs to be tilted a little, which will look strange. It's not recommended in the catalog. It needs to be sandblasted and repainted anyway. Add in the cost of the brackets, which may not be so easy to find. You'll need a new straight valve piped into the bottom tapping which is probably rusted to hell and may need to be re-threaded...I don't know. I love old rads, and if this thing were already installed with brackets and everything, it might be a different story. A new rad + valve would probably be much easier to install, with fewer potential liabilities...But it's up to you, I'm just thinking (writing) out loud.

JimP

I agree. Get a different and more appropriate radiator unless you must use this one. There isn’t that much radiation in what you have. Vertical is an unconventional way to use this wall radiator. Judging from the paint it looks like it was installed horizontally.

DougP

Mine has been in this location with this orientation since the mid 30's, save a few weeks last summer to get painted, that's a new Marsh supply valve. I cannot find any identifiable manufacturing markings and am having trouble determining the EDR. Measures about 12 x 3.25 x 58. There is a hanger that supports that rad weight and maintains enough of an angle for parallel flow just visible left of center on the bottom edge. located next to front door.

Double D

That's a 2 section radiator. Each section would be 29" 9sqft/section with a total of 18sqft.

random12345

Looks like Aero Wall radiators made by the National Radiator Corp. @DougP Are both of those together 58 1/8"? If so, I'd agree with @Double D . 18 sq. ft.
https://archive.org/details/Sweets1938Sec2630NationalRadiatorCo/page/n13/mode/2up
https://archive.org/details/NationalHeatingGuide/page/n191/mode/2up
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112047386849&view=1up&seq=140&skin=2021
https://heatinghelp.com/assets/documents/National-Heating-Guide-Bluebook-of-the-Industry-1930.pdf

DougP

random 123435 the radiators together are 58 1/8 thank you and DoubleD very much for your help, with this info I am one step closer to figuring out my total radiator EDR and hopefully can adjust current venting config to optimize