Steel steam convectors

yes7774

Does anyone know if I am able to use this style convector as a free standing one? I have a one pipe steam system with recessed convectors and two are leaking. The house was built in the 1940s so I am not sure what year mine are from. The origanally ones have a box around them.

bburd

Those are still manufactured and available in freestanding cabinets. The cabinet is needed to achieve the rated heat output because the chimney effect increases the airflow through the element, they are not meant to be installed with no enclosure.

Try Beacon-Morris, Sterling Radiator or Governale. 

yes7774

This is what the ones I have now:
I can't find ones like this anymore

bburd

You should be able to buy an element to fit that cabinet from one of the manufacturers I mentioned above.

yes7774

bburd said:

You should be able to buy an element to fit that cabinet from one of the manufacturers I mentioned above.

Great! Thats what I was hoping to be able to do, just replace the element and still use this cabinet.

bburd

If you do and install it yourself, be sure it is pitched so condensate can drain back to the supply pipe. Check the pitch on the existing element with a level before you remove it, and do the same with the new one.

yes7774

Thank you for the advice. I may need a plumber to come in. Not sure how hard the union nut will be to remove, plus I think the cabinet may need to be modified just a little. I have lids on the cabinets that drop down through the middle of the old convector fins. That would need to be eliminated also 

bburd

Have you tried the "find a contractor" feature on this site? This will go better if you hire someone familiar with steam heat. Many plumbers and HVAC contractors these days are not.