Calling Dan H re: monoflow ftg?

Dan Law_3

Dan,

Am in the process of repiping the basement of a turn of century home, and have come across a ftg I'm not familiar with, but believe to be a form of monoflow tee.

System is now forced hot water, but I believe it may have originally been gravity hot water, which might account for the fittings.

Main supply header leaves the boiler and runs the perimeter of the basement, returning to the boiler. Each radiator (1rst, 2nd, and 3rd floors) all branch from the basement header via one of these fittings. The fitting is basically a tee, but with four connections (not a cross). The run of the "tee" is 4" FTP, while the 2 remaining connections are both 1 1/2" FPT. BOTH of these connections are on the same (top) side of the tee. All tees are oriented with the "take offs" vertical.

The tee ftg is stamped "Chicago" and "Illinois". I take one of these to be a brand name,rather than a city or state. There is a casting "bulge" that would seem to indicate the
fitting internally works like a conventional monofolw, but serves to make both supply and return connections to the individual radiators at a single header fitting.

The size of the main header makes me think the original system may have been gravity, though there is little if any pitch to the header.

First floor radiators all employ what appears to be flow control valves, the handles of which are stamped "B&A" (balance and adjust?)

I'll try to send along some pictures in a follow up posting. Anything here ring a bell so far?

Thanks,

temptrol

Dan Law_3

Monoflow Ftg Pics

Here are the pics of the fitting and valve in question in the original posting. Whadaya think - early monflow?

Thanks,

temptrol

Dan Law_3

Found my own answer

To anyone who may be reading these postings, I've found an answer to my own inquiry re: the fitting right here @ heating help.com, - in the archived Q&A section under gravity hot water heating,

About 2/3 of the way down the questions, there is a picture and explanation of the fitting for anyone who wants to follow up for thier own education.

Dan, I'd still like to post a question to you directly re: my repipeing plans if you could email me direct @ temptrol@chartermi.net.

Thanks to all

temptrol

Boilerpro_3

I suggest you look for \"Steamhead\" about this

he's really up on these systems,I believe, and will steer you in the right direction. Never worked on one yet, but one thing I understand, absolutely do not change the flow in the system. This means using a very small circulator for the system when changing out the boiler for a typical system.

Boilerpro

DanHolohan

Eureka!

Sorry I didn't answer sooner. I've been in Vermont.