Steam radiator valve and convector valve difference

anatori25

Hello,

When installing steel convector, I used steam radiator angle valve 1 1/4 from Home Depot. I bought convector element from OCS Industries. I didn't pay attention that they have 1 1/4 convector valves. I have problems with my setup (clicking noise, etc.). Can it be because I used wrong valve? BTW what is the difference between these two valves?

Thank you in advance,

mattmia2

pictures?

it could be, water trapped in the convector because of the valve geometry or it could be just the convector expanding, depends on the noise.

anatori25

@mattmia2

Here are the pictures…

anatori25

https://youtu.be/m6DGrKKC_pQ

Clicking noise… It can be much louder early in the morning, when the building steam system is on for the first time.

EdTheHeaterMan

Are your valves fully open? A convector valve is ofter a globe style valve as is the steam valve you show in the photos.

this is an excerpt from a book on steam heating systems:" On a one pipe steam system, valves should be operated fully open or fully closed never left partially open, as that can trap condensate and cause banging/noise.

The convector valve is often a smaller, more compact globe or ball-style valve, sometimes with a screwdriver-operated stem. Depending on the convector valve you purchase, it may be either a ball valve or a globe valve, and it may be configured as an angle valve or a straight valve. In either case, that valve also needs to be fully open on a one-pipe steam system.

STEAM DOCTOR

Screenshot_2026-04-14-16-24-16-19_af6f7ee57bdfe24fc5addfc0970d7af8.jpg

This is a typical convector shutoff valve. The orientation is convenient, when installing sunrads.

ethicalpaul

That's one of the nicest convector installations I have ever seen in my non-career. Although I'm a little concerned about how you got that large angle…see below (I hope it didn't cause the issue I describe there)

But having said that, that sound is water hammer and according to your description of it being more prominent after a long off-time it is no doubt due to some condensate lying in a pipe somewhere.

I would bet it is below your valve somewhere…a horizontal section that has become less than horizontal.

I have heard contractors say it can be cured with insulation, but that is false. You have to find the sloped pipe that is acting like a trap and fix the slope so it doesn't capture water.

EdTheHeaterMan

This might have been a better choice with a strait valve under the convector element. that way you can fill the space with convector and not have that mush empty space on the right end of the opening. But i agree with @ethicalpaul on the job. nice work!

See the strait valve on the right opening? and again it must be fully open.

mattmia2

you might try raising the valve end some to see if it pulls up the riser and takes the sag out of something below the floor.

STEAM DOCTOR

Or just eliminate the valve entirely

ethicalpaul

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1894369#Comment_1894369

That won't fix the hammer though, I would bet

STEAM DOCTOR

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1894370#Comment_1894370

Agreed. My intention was, instead of busting your chops tried to figure out which valve to use, just eliminate the valve entirely. It has no real function, at least the residential settings. And even in apartment buildings, get a valve on the air vent side.