Hoffman 45 or 4A

James W.Stamo

I was checking out my system (one pipe steam heat ,gas fired boiler) I just happen to look at the two main vents
took the numbers down they are both Hoffman 45s, then I checked Hoffman's web site and they say that 45s are convector type valves.For main vents they recomend 4A or 75, is this a problem for my system, should I change to the recomended model? Thanks

john_27

hoffman

I also have a hoffman 45 and a 4a on my system....depending on your venting needs, steamhead is recommending gorton #2's for main vents because the air release is is 4 times a hoffman 75....I'm trying it this week, and will report back...JOhn

john_27

hoffman

I also have a hoffman 45 and a 4a on my system....depending on your venting needs, steamhead is recommending gorton #2's for main vents because the air release is is 4 times a hoffman 75....I'm trying it this week, and will report back...John

Steamhead

It depends

I have been recommending Gorton vents, especially the monster #2. But to answer your question, I would need the length and diameter of each steam main (outside diameter of pipe is fine).
Then I could tell you what you need.

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James W.Stamo

The length of the main is roughly 32 feet and the outside diameter of the pipe is 8inches

Steamhead

8 inches?

That sounds way big for a house, how did you get the measurement? Did you wrap the tape around the pipe? If so, you measured the circumference rather than the diameter. You need to measure from one side of the pipe to the other, or from the top to the bottom of a horizontal pipe. You'll probably find an outside diameter of 2-1/2 inches which is a 2-inch pipe, or maybe 3 inches which is 2-1/2" pipe.

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James W.Stamo

outside circumference

That is exactly what I did I measured the outside circumference. The outside diameter is 2/1/2

Steamhead

Got it

you will need two Gorton #1 or Hoffman #75 vents at the end of each main. Just add a tee to the existing connection and pipe both vents into it (you'll need an elbow for the one at the side of the tee so it will be vertical), making sure no water can collect in the piping.

If you can find Gortons, I'd go with them. They're just as reliable as Hoffmans but cost much less.

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