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What is this?

TKPK
TKPK Member Posts: 70
in Strictly Steam
IMG_0540.jpeg

Three 1/2” copper pipes coming out of a manifold and a threaded rod center support.


I think they are sealed. They are on every dry return before they drop

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,717

    Single pipe system?

    Some kind of vent that is up in between the joist space. Too dark to see what is just below the ceiling… OR do they go thru the floor above and have something else connected up there?

    Need a Flash Camera or a better light.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,490

    Looks like it might be the vent on a Mouat system. @gerry gill ?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Mad Dog_2
  • TKPK
    TKPK Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2024

    sorry, I only had my phone and it would not flash … will try again. It is a 2 pipe steam system with mains and parallel dry returns that drop to wet returns on their way back to the boiler

    there are 3 pipes that have a common cap that is held on by the center threaded rod.

    The top part is shaped like a fidget spinner and I felt the top and did not find any holes or vent. Very similar to anti-hammer cushions in a water system.

    IMG_0541.png

    Top of it looks like this with a hole in the center for the threaded rod…seems like this is a cap with no flow between the pipes

  • TKPK
    TKPK Member Posts: 70
    IMG_0540.jpeg

    as bright as I could make it

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,490
    edited December 2024

    @TKPK , that really is an air vent. You have a Mouat Vapor system. Go here for pics and discussion of a similar unit:

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/139551/more-mouat

    Hopefully @gerry gill will chime in- he is our resident Mouat guru.

    Where are you located?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Mad Dog_2
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 1,909

    That looks like the same place with less lath.

    image.png

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • TKPK
    TKPK Member Posts: 70

    the lath is there, just not in the picture provided. You do see a little bit of the knob and tube though.

    1928 house in Grosse pointe park MI.

    Unfortunately it got removed before I got any pictures but this house had a coal ash carousel that was below floor grade so you (meaning servants?) could empty the ash when convenient. Storm drains backed up and it became a pond and it rusted almost beyond recognition.

  • TKPK
    TKPK Member Posts: 70
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1829408#Comment_1829408

    100%

    Read the patent and understand them as condensing tubes with air escape at the top (likely on the side of the tube below the cap) and capillary tube at the manifold.

    The column of water, if any, has to equal the pressure of the boiler.

    very nice … no risk of these being removed in this house. I knew this group would not be stumped!

    This is a friend’s house with a newly installed boiler this season. I turned the pressuretrol down to the minimum from its factory setting.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,490

    You really need to put a Vaporstat on that boiler. Mouats don't need more than a few ounces.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • TKPK
    TKPK Member Posts: 70
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1829452#Comment_1829452

    exactly what I told my friend.

    leave the pressuretrol as a safety only device and wire a vaporstat in series?

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,490

    If you wish- can't hurt. But they should be on different pigtails, so if one clogs the other might still work.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    PC7060TKPK

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