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Biiiiiig Webster Type \"R\" Vapor System
Rodney Summers
Member Posts: 748
Given the size of that boiler, the low-high-low is the way to go. That sure will get the steam where it needs to go in a hurry, then step back down. Nice pics, your customer has a great system, and I know you will make it hummmmm!
Robert O'Connor/NJ
Robert O'Connor/NJ
0
Comments
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We've been working on this one for a while
This is the biggest Webster I've seen so far. Originally it served just over 3200 square feet EDR, now down to about 2800. We've replaced 36 trap elements so far and have about 50 more to go.
It's mostly a Mills-type system, with the steam mains running thru the "roof spaces" (what we would today call the attics) with a king valve at the entrance to each one! These feed drop risers that serve the radiation on the second and "Attic" (third) floors and some on the first floor. Each riser is dripped thru a thermostatic trap in the basement. A separate steam main in the basement feeds the sunroom, a huge indirect serving the library and most of the first-floor radiators. Some of these first-floor rads have their traps in the basement.
A banker had the place built in 1929, just before the crash. This is what you see as you pull into the parking area. Immediately to the right of the gable over the front door you can see the top of an elevator shaft- an old Otis. There are ten bedrooms and seven baths.
There is also a carriage house that has a smaller Type R, but we haven't gotten into that one yet.
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The boiler room
a huge American-Standard A-708, and yeah it's oversized- it can handle 4340 square feet EDR on steam. To the left of Gordon is the Return Trap. Gordon stands just over six feet tall, this should give you an idea of how big everything is.
The owner has the original plans for the house, they show the original boiler was in a pit. We haven't been able to determine what boiler the house had originally- I'm interested in how high its water line was.
That's the resident K9 corps, doing his best Cujo.
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One of three vent traps
as found. It had a Hoffman #76 vacuum vent on it, which really restricted its capacity....
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It now has a Gorton #2
gee, it doesn't whistle nearly as loud now!
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End of the basement steam main
These are some of the oldest Webster F&T traps I've seen. The one on the left drips the main and vents it thru that 1/2" line running to the vent trap at the far right. The F&T on the right only drips the heel of the riser to the attic.
The cloth below the left F&T is wrapped around a dirt leg. Most of the traps that aren't mounted directly on radiators have these dirt legs. This was a first-class installation.
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Another feature of this first-class job
is this skimming arrangement. No need to remove a plug or set up drainage on this one!
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The indirect unit
under the library- all 205 square feet EDR of it, and another vented F&T, and my long-suffering partner in yet another pic.
We plan to finish restoring this system and replace the Carlin 601CRD burner with a 701CRD that can step-fire the boiler under control of a Vaporstat. More pics to come.
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To quote Larry Fine....
Nice joint, reminds me of the reform school!
Historic, folkloric and a gem to be sure Steamhead. Keep us informed of the progress and results. Chris0 -
Looks like at least it wasn't butchered after all these years. After you guys get it fine tuned it will run like a champ.
Is that the old pit the boiler is sitting on?? it looks like a faint outline in the concrete??
ED0 -
That's
a concrete slab that appears to be filling in the old pit. It is isolated from the main slab by what appears to be cork insulation.
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So, your sales pitch: go for scorched-earth policy
Another investment in steam that is paying off huge dividends. A 77 year old system that still looks and is as sharp as new.
I am guessing you had Webster traps on the radiators. Where many of them still original and still good?
Please have Gordon give the return trap a big kiss for me.
Thanks for the delightful pictures.0 -
They're Webster 712HB traps
and so far about 90% were bad. But we found the date 1929 stamped in the elements- they were original. Never been changed till now.
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mo venting mo better
Hi Frank,
I see this all the time. The traps start failing so the thermostatic vent goes on the air eliminator, which backs up the whole system.
Thanks for the great photos and explainations. Are you going to the NAOHSM convention in Hartford?
Best regards, Pat0
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