American Standard Data Plate

Joe V

of the STEAM column from the data plate on my old American Standard Oakmont. The number 480 is listed next to "hand stoked" ( I think that was the nomenclature). No units of measurement. Can anyone tell me? Thanks.

JV

Ken_40

That's a refernce to

coal burning. The Oakmont was originally a coal burner, later made as oil-burner compatible.

I suspect the rating is in EDR (equivelant direct radiation), meaning, how many square feet of radiation you can attach to that size boiler. Given that one S.F. of radiation = 240 BTU's, You may assume that is either true output, or a reduced capability after a 50% add-on for piping and pick up "load", which was done a lot back in those days.

Regardless what is done to that model, the flue-ways are not conducive to much in the way of effeiciency. Since oil ran around 9 to 12 cents a gallon back then, little concern was expected for efficiencies.

Hope that helps.

Joe V

Thanks Ken. That's what I suspected it meant. I did read that they used 50-60% pickup factor but completely forgot. It made me nervous because my measured EDR with a 33% pick up comes to 271 sq ft. Quite a difference from 480 sq ft.

JoeV_2

Correction

...My Radiator EDR measures 271 sq ft with no pick up factor. I know my pipe insulation is much better today than it was in 1927 and all my radiators are accounted for, then a pickup factor of 33% should be ok.

If I had doubts about insulation or suspected missing radiators then a 50% pu factor should be used. Is that right?

When I look at Burnham's website, the specs for an IN4 is a perfect match for the load with absolutely nothing to spare.

The next size up is 32% larger. Everything I've seen on this site & in TLAOSH says match the load but my gut says go the next size. If a contractor were to look at this and suggest an IN5, do I accept that and pay high fuel bills for the next 20 yrs or do I push for an IN4 and be sorry I have an undersized boiler and pay anyway with longer firing times?

Ken_40

OK Then,

Yes. The pickup factor of 33% is fine, and sanctioned by ASHRAE as well.

And no. If insulation was missing and or radiators missing, it should still be 33% AND, put the insulation back on!(;-o)

Leave your gut out of this. If you did the math, and the supplies and returns are all insulated well, it'll still be a tad oversized! Also, it is entirely likely that a few radiators, even on the coldest days, will NOT fully heat. Whatever is not condensing steam fully, isn't taking all the BTU's the boiler can deliver!

You're going in the right direction.

Either the Burham or the Weil McLain would be ideal choices IMHO. Fact is, I can't think of any brand steamer I wouldn't own! There's no junk out there. If you sell junk int his biz, you're out of it real fast. Most of these guys have been around for over 100 years.

Joe V

Thanks again

...Ken. I feel better about it now. I went over the numbers a hundred times and my wife thinks I'm a nut. She enjoyed the warmth of steam heat but remembers the fuel bills too well (once, $600.00 for a bungalow). She thinks I'm crazy to consider spending money on resurrecting the steam system. She may be right!