Is My Main Vent Working?

Dave_62

I just installed a gorton main vent. How can I confirm that it is working properly (just the vent itself)? If I hear/feel air coming out is that all I need to see/do?

Steamhead

If you sized it right

you won't hear much air- but you should be able to feel some. And of course, no steam should leave the vent.

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Dave_62

details

I think it's sized right based on other messages I've seen here. It's 47 feet long 2.5 inch pipe in a one pipe system and it serves 15 rads. It's a gorton2. Sound ok to you?

Steamhead

That should be fine

You want the steam to reach the end of the main a minute or two after the boiler starts sending steam into the main. If it's slower than this, add another #2.

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Dave_62

One more question

I'm sure this is a stupid question but... how do I know when the boiler starts sending steam to the main? Thanks for your patience...

Steamhead

Use the

"Ah-Ha-Ha test for the presence of BTUs". This is where you put your hand on the pipe leaving the boiler, and if there's steam in it it will make you go "Ah-Ha-Ha!"....... ;-)

I can't take credit for that one- Dan told it to me a long time ago.....

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Dave_62

One more...

Like I said, I knew it was a stupid question. One more if you don't mind... I'm haiving a very hard time gettting adequate steam to one radiator (the furthest from the boiler of course). It's the last takeoff from the main (just before the gorton#2 vent)and the takeoff line runs maybe 25 feet in total from the main to the radiator. I put a gorton D on it and it's better but still not enough. The main is 47 feet 2.5" pipe supplying 10 radiators (not 13 as I mentioned earlier in this thread). Can/should I vent the riser? I've checked the pitch of the pipes and the radiator itself, checked the valve, etc. and all else seems fine...

Steamhead

You could vent the riser

but are you sure the riser is big enough for the radiator? Check the tables in Lost Art to find out. Also, is the riser insulated?

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t. tekushan

ah ha ha

I now use the AH HA HA method myself. I used to use the "HOLY @%#*&$%#!" method, but it was brought to my attention that it was inappropriate in the presence of mixed company.