main vents

JOE_24

long main 35ft--2",35ft 1-1/4 return now has 1-#1 gorton
2nd main 12ft 2";12ft 1-1/4 with 16ft-1-1/4 return now has 2-gorton #1
3rd main 13ft--1-1/4;with14ft 1-1/4 return has 1 gorton # 1

JOE_24

MAIN VENTS

IN READING PROBLEMS WITH STEAM HEAT MANY PROBLEMS AVERT TO IMPROPER MAIN VENTING,I HAVE A ONE PIPE SYSTEM WITH A RUN OF APPROX. 40FT. OF 2" PIPE THEN ELLS AROUND AND TURNS TO 1-14" DRY RETURN 40FT BACK WITH VENTS AT THE END, ARE THESE CONSIDERED MY MAIN VENTS OR SHOULD I ALSO HAVE VENTS 15" IN ON THE END OF MY 2" SUPPLY SIDE.ALSO SHOULD THE DRY RETURNS ALSO BE INSULATED.

Steamhead

Yes and Yes

The vent at the end of the dry return is the main vent on your system. I'd use two Gorton #1 or Hoffman #75 vents at that location- this will fill the piping with steam quickly.

The dry return on your system should have the same insulation as the steam main.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

JOE_24

MAIN VENTS

the main i described is the long main,i have 2 other mains 1 with 2--gorton #1 and the other with 1--gorton #1, i am trying to lower the pressure to save on fuel and also trying to get beeter heat distribution.
on gortons website they show 1--gorton #2 on the long main, is this to much and should i add another #1 valve to the other short main

Steamhead

How long

are the other two mains, and are they 2-inch pipe also?

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

JOE_24

main vents

long main 35ft--2",35ft 1-1/4 return now has 1-#1 gorton
2nd main 12ft 2";12ft 1-1/4 with 16ft-1-1/4 return now has 2-gorton #1
3rd main 13ft--1-1/4;with14ft 1-1/4 return has 1 gorton # 1

Steamhead

Move one Gorton #1

from the 12-foot main to the 35-foot one and the steam should reach all the vents at about the same time.

When finished, you will have:

35-foot 2-inch main- 2 Gorton #1 vents

12-foot 2-inch main- 1 Gorton #1

13-foot 1-1/4" main- 1 Gorton #1 (this pipe has more internal resistance so I like to vent it the same as a 2-incher)

Let us know how well it works!

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

JOE_24

main vents

just out of curiosity,if the idea is to vent the mains as quickly as possible why aren't the vents installed at the beginning of the dry returns,wouldn't this be more energy effiecent than pushing all that extra air that's in the spans of the dry returns.Then couldn't the returns be uninsulated allowing excess steam easier condensating to return to boiler.

JOE_24

main balancing

I changed my main vents as suggested by steamhead;
although I previosly made a mistake, the long main is 2-1/2"intermediate 2-1/2 with 2" branch off,short main 2"
I also lowered the pressure on the pressuretrol,I have the cut-out type,lowest no. on main scale is 3, lowest on diff.is 1, thats were it now is set.
I then started up the boiler with all cold piping,it took 15 min. for the long main to heat,23 min for the
intermediate,and surprisingly 30 min. for the shortest main.if the system is balanced shouldn't they all get hot at the same time.
Its hard to tell if all the main vents are working,
I don't here them doing anything,only way I could tell when the steam was coming was by touching the returns.
I have really appreciated all your help-THANKS

Steamhead

Are

all those steam mains and dry returns insulated?

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

JOE_24

insulation

The only pipes not insulated are about 3 ft of the returns were boiler was connected,I will get to that.
since I last posted I took out and cleaned the older main vents,when restarting the intermediate main heated first this time then the long with the short main last.
I also noticed the intermediate and short main dry returns hook together above the water line,I will seperate those on the weekend.Will keep you posted.