American radiator Ideal Steam Heater

D.Duncan

I have an American radiator Ideal Steam Heater Model S-22-5 0r KS 9595.
We have no information on this system. The house was built in the 1920's and the system was converted at some time to natural gas. It seems to work fine but the pilot light seems to be excessive. We also need to find out correct operating pressure. We would like to know how to use this heater properly and troubleshoot if needed. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.

Mad Dog

How's about some digital pics Duncan

That will help. Mad Dog

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Steamhead

I think that was actually 5-22-S

it appears this way in the 1922 Ideal Fitter catalog. The model designations had changed completely by the time the 1925 one came out.

The boiler had a maximum pressure rating of 15 PSI. However, residential steam systems were designed to not need any more than 2 PSI on the very coldest day of the year.

These old round boilers- we call them "snowmen" since that's what they look like when covered in white asbestos- were very inefficient. One of my Dead Men's Books says they will run at no more than 40% efficiency on oil, since this type of boiler doesn't have much heat transfer surface. I would assume it would do as poorly on gas.

I love old stuff, but it doesn't make much sense to keep running something like this when a new boiler will cut your heating bill in half. Try the Find a Contractor page of this site to locate someone near you who can replace it properly.

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D.Duncan

Pictures of American radiator Ideal Steam Heater

Here are the pictures of the setup I have.

Steamhead

It's a Sectional boiler, not a Round one

and here is the chart, again from 1922 Ideal Fitter. This series of boilers had a long production run- they appear in all my Ideal Fitter catalogs from 1908 to 1925.

Sectional boilers were more efficient than round ones, but a bad oil or gas conversion could still result in excessive fuel usage. It is possible to install baffles in the flue passages of this type of boiler to slow the hot flue gases down and make them give up more heat to the boiler, but this should be done by a pro with a digital combustion analyzer and draft gauge.

And look at that antique Pressuretrol! It has to be one of the originals. Can't remember the last time I saw one that old......

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