Help identifying this Spirax Sarco steam trap for parts replacement

JShep

Hello all,

I’ve got a number of different steam traps on the 3+ dozen radiators (as well as three crossovers between the mains and return), the majority of which are the ones in the attached images.  Spirax Sarco with a globe etched in the top under the name.  Some 3/4” some 1/2”, all angle traps.  I have at least two (one appears intermittent though perhaps it’s only intermittent in that if the boiler doesn’t run long enough it’s not showing it’s flaws in time to notice).

short story; they are letting steam into the returns and I’d like to replace the internals… which makes the Gorton #2 at the end of the line sound off like a combination of a dinner bell and a train whistle.  Trying to avoid buying the wrong parts, but I can’t find an obvious model number in any of them.

Thanks,
Jeff

Steamhead

Any lettering on the side of the trap body that we can't see in the pic?

JShep

Not that I can find… most are rather heavily caked in all manner of paint.  This one down in the first floor hall has the least paint on it, but the sides (both of the cap and the body) appear quite smooth.  Did grab a cleaner shot of the top thanks to less paint on this one though.  The system dates to 1908 and given that this is the same trap on most of the radiators, I’m assuming it dates back to then, maybe?

JShep

It’s possible that there may be a stamped letter in the center of the body of each, but possibly just a dimple from the cast (or a well placed paint blemish in the same spot on the three I just checked)

EBEBRATT-Ed

I would try Tunstall Associates or Barnes & Jones. Tunstall is Chicopee, MA and B & J is in Randolph Ma.

Maybe you could send them a picture.

Do you have a small rad like a bathroom you could disconnect temporally and send them one of the traps?

JShep

EBEBRATT; you mean a small rad I could disconnect and send the trap to you?  Or to them?  Either way, I have about a dozen currently gated off from the main system, so it would be pretty easy.

In the short term, given that in addition to that dozen or so sealed off with a pair of gate valves (top two floors of front and back of house), there’s a few permanently disconnected from the system that have the same traps.  Think my chances are better at replacing the two that have failed by way of swapping the entire trap from some of the disconnected ones, or swapping the internals.  With old mechanical bellows I’m not sure how much they tolerate being pulled in and out of their bodies, but with 115 year old 1/2” pipe on each of the rads with failed traps I’m currently favoring not manipulating the pipes any more than I need to by focusing on swapping the internals into the existing bodies.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@JShep

I would contact B & J or Tunstall and send them a picture. If they can't identify it from that maybe send them a trap. I know Tunstall also manufacturers trap parts

Shore_heat2

I have a property with similar traps mine have a cast letter on one side of the trap

JShep

No cast letter on the side of mine.  I did manage to get it apart pretty easily though so I can see the element inside… no markings there either 

EBEBRATT-Ed

@JShep

Get in touch with Tunstall 1413 594 8695 and send them pictures or have them look at your post they will be able to help you