Are all radiator traps created equal?

delcrossv

Please rate your experiences with the following trap brands:

Mepco

B&J

Tunstall

Hoffman

Durability, ease of service, etc.

Thanks!

Intplm.

TP Tunstall - for there responses and there matching of product as well as the performance of there products. There stuff lasts and there reps seem to know what's what for almost any presented issue. They match product to there's quite well.

Hoffman tried and true. I can't say enough good things about them.

The others I haven't used much.

mattmia2

Keep in mind that proper application is crucial to longevity.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Not much difference but some of the B & J traps are more difficult to rebuild.

One of the suppliers we bought from sold Watson McDaniel, which I liked, and we usually used those or Tunstall who is located 2 miles from me.

EBEBRATT-Ed

With F & Ts you need to look at the capacity tables and orifice sizes. Traps are all about the pressure drop available across the trap. Smaller orifice for higher pressure drop and larger for low pressure drop. The capacity of different MFG traps (F & Ts) very widely for a different pipe size. One 3/4" trap may not = another.

Thermostatic radiator traps not so much

Steamhead

If you're using a thermostatic trap in a "crossover" application to vent a steam main, you need to pay attention to its air throughput. @gerry gill and @StevePajek have us covered:

https://www.heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/balancing-steam-systems-using-a-vent-capacity-chart/

delcrossv

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1833616#Comment_1833616

That being a given.