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Steam Convector Air Valve Installation

anatori25
anatori25 Member Posts: 16
edited April 22 in Strictly Steam

Hello,

My old Arco cast iron convector (one pipe steam system) in my bedroom is making a lot of clicking noises when the heat is on. I tried to implement all advice I received on this forum the last year, but alas the noise is still there…I suspect that some nipples connecting sections got loose. Anyway, once the heating season is over the next month, I plan to remove this old one and replace it with new steel convector (OCS S840) (already bought).

OldConvector _AirValve.jpg

Convector Element.JPG

Air valve on my old convector (see attached pictures) is on pipe 1/2 1/8, so I can use regular angled 1/8 valve. My new convector is tapped 1/2. My question is: do I really need to install pipe first, and then air valve or 1/2 1/8 fitting plus straight air valve will suffice? What is the reason why air valve on my old convector is elevated and not attached directly to convector?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,501

    The higher the air vent above the element the less chance of getting water pushed up into the air vent. If you have the room to elevate it I would do that. If your steam pressure is low, it is probably not an issue, but you don't want to have to redo anything.

    mattmia2
  • anatori25
    anatori25 Member Posts: 16
    edited April 22

    Got it! Thank you so much. It is an apartment building in NYC, top floor, and the steam pressure is much-much above normal (they do it to comply with the City's regulations), that's why air valves not last long…So definitely I need to elevate the air valve and will do it!

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,955

    I'd be interested in seeing the regulation that says they have to run it at a specific pressure.

    You can also get straight air vents, that is what is usually used on convectors.

  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,840
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1799809#Comment_1799809

    I'd bet it is to comply with keeping the temps at a certain level. You know the old crank it up and it heats thing, which we all know is wrong.

    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    mattmia2
  • ChicagoCooperator
    ChicagoCooperator Member Posts: 363

    Is it actually the vent the vent? My convectors "click" when the heat comes on from 'cold' - mild expansion noises but don't when the system is consistently hot/warm.

  • anatori25
    anatori25 Member Posts: 16

    Thank you, guys, for your advice!

    I already dismounted the old monster convector (using crowbar and breaking sections) and will install 1/2 x 5.5 in. pipe and 1/2 x 1/8 elbow for regular angled air valve.

    P.S. I asked my building's super about the pressure, he said it is very high, but had no actual numbers. 5 year ago, the Board installed the new more compact boiler, and it looks like whoever installed it did initial settings.

    As for pressure, there is no specific psi, only regarding temperature:

    Heat Season (October 1st to May 31st):

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,955
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1800663#Comment_1800663

    That woudl be an argument for lower pressure. The higher the pressure, the more poorly the steam travels through the system.

    bburd
  • redxiii5665
    redxiii5665 Member Posts: 3

    I worked for nycha in heating, our plants would normally run between 6-8 psig our boiler pop safety's would pop at 10 psi mostly sub atmos vac pump distribution

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