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Odd Steam Air Vent...

Mad Dog_2
Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,028
edited March 5 in THE MAIN WALL

20250304_170043.jpg 20250304_170048.jpg

"air MACK valve" made in USA

10 adjustments for air release. Mad Dog

Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
mattmia2delcrossvLong Beach EdGGrossIntplm.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,486

    Did they have much steam heat in Europe or were they kind of busy with world wars until hot water became common? The few old European systems that I have seen were open hot water systems with a tank in the attic.

  • Chris_L
    Chris_L Member Posts: 345

    I've got one of those vents in my collection, but don't use it. I found it on a radiator one of my neighbors (here in the Boston area) was getting rid of and had left on the curb.

    I tried it out, but didn't like it for some reason…but i can't remember now what that reason was.

    Mad Dog_2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,744
    edited March 5
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1846723#Comment_1846723

    The Tudor system was popular in Europe for a while:

    https://www.heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/european-heating-systems-circa-1907/

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    mattmia2delcrossvMad Dog_2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,028

    Frank...have you ever come across one of these MACK vents? Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,744

    Nope.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Aclera
    Aclera Member Posts: 5

    I have one of these! Still works great, seals well under pressure and doesn't make any noise. First time I've seen another one besides mine, thanks Mad Dog! I'm in northern NJ.

    Took a few pictures for everyone:

    mack_vent_side2.jpg mack_vent_top.jpg mack_vent_side.jpg mack_vent_rad.jpg
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbesdelcrossv
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,028

    Wow..nice..this one was painted over a few times...Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,601

    Adjusted one in Ct. back in the 1980's.It was the first one I had ever come across and haven't seen one since. Didn't know what setting to use. The customer was happy with the sound of it afterward.

  • Chris_L
    Chris_L Member Posts: 345

    @Aclera your vent is in nice shape. The one I have doesn't have any paint on it, but the plating is messed up in a couple of places.

    Also, the top of mine is slightly different from yours. Not sure why. Instead of a slot, it just has a hole and an arrow. I wonder which came first.

    IMG_20250316_182440634 cropped.jpg IMG_20250316_182106090.jpg
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,486

    does the slot lock it in position?

  • Aclera
    Aclera Member Posts: 5

    @Chris_L Thanks for sharing pictures of your vent, that arrow engraving is cool! It looks as if there are several small arrows pointing to each number as well.

    Can the screw (is it a screw?) be moved by hand to adjust the venting?

    Another difference of mine versus yours and Mad Dog's is that both seem to have deeper engraving of the "MACK" text — on mine, the engraving is very shallow and barely perceptible in places, which is clearest in the third picture. Maybe I have a later revision or something like that, as it seems more functional- and less aesthetically oriented. I'll have to try to clean off the paint splotches one day 😁

    @mattmia2 On mine, the slotted screw holds the rotating dial in position, yeah.

  • Chris_L
    Chris_L Member Posts: 345

    @Aclera The small cap on the top with the arrow on it doesn't move at all, and I can't unscrew it. And the arrow doesn't seem to point to anything in particular. I am guessing it was used in assembly.

    To adjust the vent you turn the larger cap with the holes in it to line up the desired hole with a fixed hole beneath it. The larger cap clicks into place as the holes line up.

    There are lines from under the center cap to each hole, but some line up better with the center of the holes than others. Not sure they have any use.

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