Broomell vapor system

BRIANJ

I hope this information will help a little. So far I have seen two types of Broomell valves. The valves marked BROOMELL of the side open at the top and the valves marked VAPOR open at the bottom. Both use a disk to regulate the amount of steam to the radiator and the holes in the disks come in six sizes depending on the size of the radiator.

The disks can and should be replaced if there is heavy corrosion and mineral build up so that the valves will be easily turned and regulated. I recently had some disks fabricated and they came out beautifully and weren't much more expensive that buying a new valve.

I believe the BROOMELL valve is an earlier version than the VAPOR valve and is more prone to leaking however, the VAPOR style valve will also leak if not packed properly. I have recently been using felt washers vs stem packing and have had good results. I don't know how long they will last but the install is so quick I don't think it's going to be a problem.

It is very important to keep the pressure down on the system. I just installed a Vaporstat set between 4 and 8 ounces and I don't have any more leaking. It's an expensive addition, about $225, but your system will run more efficiently and there will be a lot less leaking if any at all.

Good Luck it's definitely worth saving.

MikeL_2

Broomell vapor system valve replacement

I have a customer with a broomell vapor system; many of the multiported supply valves are leaking....can I install new steam valves if I also replace the " P-trap " return elbow with a thermostatic trap?

Unknown

I think I'd try this, first

Tunstall repairs the inner parts of the valve bodies, in many cases, and would be easier on the radiators than removing everything. The orificing can be considered in rebuilding them, whereas an off-the-shelf valve would need to be orificed to work.

Tunstall does orifices, too.

http://www.maconcontrols.com/ezcht901.html

Noel

Christian Egli_2

SOS valve

For leaking valves, fix the leak. I recall someone else here with a nice Broomell and some leaky valves had his repaired without much problem. Are you running the system at the low enough pressures? You don't need pounds.

Otherwise, ordinary valves combined with orifice plates will do the trick and avoid touching the P-traps, with which nothing goes bad anyways.

We can rebuild your original valves, here in Southwest Ohio. Nice old valves look in period with the home, it's better for historical purposes and home value.

Save Our Steam valves.

Ken_40

Do what Noel suggests or...

If you are "into" this magnificent steam system, pull a valve on your own. Examine the guts, find an adaptable seal, or, maybe "lap" the valve with a fine grit valve grinding compound, re-pack the stem-seal with graphited string, or see how complicated a bench check can reveal.

This may NOT be all that hard!

One of the most personally satisfying repairs we ever did was to fully restore an older Kreibel system in a "fine" home in Upper Montclair, NJ.

MikeL_2

Broomell vapor system

Thanks Noel, Ken, and Christian for your input / insight....I'm trying to establish a cost/benefit ratio; some of the seemingly simple return els must be plugged because a few of the radiators don't heat at all...these return els do not have a clean out plug so they would have to be removed for cleaning.....I removed a valve to inspect it and I had thought about trying to re-pack it but I'm not sure I can take it apart with out damaging it.I have contacted Tunstall and I'm hoping to hear from them......

MikeL_2

Broomell vapor system valve replacement

In the mean time I still would like to know if anyone has had success using an " off the shelf " valve and thermostatic trap to replace the existing orificed valve and p-trap return elbow...

Unknown

it'll work

but it is far less elegant, and without any metering device at the inlet, it'll seem very coarse to adjust the radiator output.

Noel

john_27

I have your system....you do have to take the radiator out to clean the p fittings....and the input device can taken apart and worked with...it's a nice project for a Winter night....if you decide to update...you can use an orifice and I think a Hoffman 17c trap....but ask the others on this thread to see what they think..Tunstall makes excellent traps, and are familiar with the Broomell system.....if you do decide to go with them, I'll buy your p fittings and input valves for the price tunstall charges you...I have bits and pieces around here, and I can use your parts...John

MikeL_2

Broomell vapor system

John: The orifice disc that I removed from the valve body is corroded and pitted; I can see how steam is leaking by.......it looks like the spring tension holds the disc tightly against the partition that seperates the delivery chamber from the handle stem chaseway

john_27

mike...you are correct....sand the disk so that it is smooth, and pack the top so that steam doesn't leak through.....other people on this thread use graphite string...I've not tried this yet. Email me your tel if you have further questions...i can get you through this....John