Old Steam heat contriols (1918)

Jim Bennett

Go to the "Library" section of this webstite and select the "Steam vapor/vacuum heating" catagory. There is a great description with illustrations on the Richardson system.

Lots of good info there,

Jim

Jerry R

Old Steam heat contriols (1918) for a two pipe system

I have an old two pipe steam heat system. It appears to have the original equipment, includeing, shut off valves, a very unusual return line vent, and radiator check valves with a raised internal tube attached to them. The vent is dated 1918 and the valves are 1917. All parts are stamped Richardson. The vent has a large, adjustable horizontal rod for venting, and its vertical riser contains a free floating domed sleeve. The dome's drop is also adjustable by an independant and movable base.
Area supply houses, local contractors, and our Community College Heating Controls Instuctors have never seen anything like this. We would appreciate any information on how the parts function as a system.
I am attaching a picture.
Thank you,
Jerry

Christian Egli_2

Glorious old stuff

Not much can go wrong the radiator traps. The whole system air vent, if it no longer stops vagrant steam, can be replaced with any large thermostatic trap. Gortons will do too.

The real trick is to keep operating pressures low, as with a vaporstat.

Everything is in the book, The Lost Art, available here on this site. Make sure you don't throw out any of these parts, they're all keepers. They can all be restored.

Thanks for the picture.