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richardson HEAT radiator traps

jvl1
jvl1 Member Posts: 11
I have a building that has twenty four of the Richardson HEAT traps with the little plug on the side. I read some posts from 2009 regarding these traps. Looking for clarification that there are no moving parts to these traps and that if radiator is not heating to unscrew the plug and clean the air hole? If this is true there should be no reason to replace? Thanks for any help.

Comments

  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Richardson

    The only moving part is a ball bearing that seals the air hole.



    http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1395/28.pdf
  • jvl1
    jvl1 Member Posts: 11
    thanks

    Thanks to all posters. Wanted to let you know that (and I assume it would be this way for all traps) if you send Barnes and Jones a complete trap, if they are not able to find a cage unit to fit, they will make one for free and send it back. If it works and you re-order, they will add that unit to their sales line. I thinks this is my best solution. Thanks,again.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Is this a thermostatic trap

    or the special elbow that uses a water seal?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • jvl1
    jvl1 Member Posts: 11
    jeffl@winstelcontrols.com

    Believe it to be a thermostatic trap (have not opened one up yet), It is definitely not the water seal elbow.
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,513
    Here's the pic.

    Sorry for the delay. I've been sitting on a porch in Cape May, watching the ice in my drinks melt. 
    Retired and loving it.
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Trap

    We worked on a Richardson system over the winter. We had a mix of water-seal elbows, and these same traps. There is no top to open, so I assumed that they are water-seal as well.
  • jvl1
    jvl1 Member Posts: 11
    jvl10

    Thanks for the info. I will have to revisit the job. The one in the picture I posted appeared to have what looked like a threaded cap. Did yours have the Richardson HEAT on the cap?
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Trap

    Yes, it did.
  • jvl1
    jvl1 Member Posts: 11
    jvl1

    Thanks again for the info. Did you attempt to clean the port? Or did you just leave them alone? I have one apartment that end user says won't heat. Did you encounter any radiators that di not heat? If so, how did you proceed?
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Steam

    Like all great vapor systems, ours was completely butchered by previous contractors.



    Every single radiator that did not heat, had the original Richardson traps on them. It is very important to understand that the water seals in these traps can only tolerate as much as about 3 ounces of steam pressure. Any more and the ball-check will not reopen. Thus, the radiator will not heat.



    Guess what goes on every one of our new boilers? A Vaporstat! Set the operating pressure between 4 and 5 ounces, and every radiator in the house was heating properly.
  • jvl1
    jvl1 Member Posts: 11
    jvl1

    Yeah I always recommend the vaporstat also, but you get these guys that say.  " the system worked for the last 10 years with a standard controller on it, why should I change now?" I do appreciate your response. In talking to Dan he said he had never seen these traps before so knowing they are just the updated version of the Richardson vapor water seal elbow is good to know. I'll file it away. Thanks
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Steam

    " the system worked for the last 10 years with a standard controller on it, why should I change now?"



    This is where it's our job to educate the customer. With a Richardson system, it is absolutely NECESSARY to have a Vaporstat, or the traps won't work. On any conventional system, it acts as an economizer to reduce fuel consumption. It pays for itself.
  • jvl1
    jvl1 Member Posts: 11
    jvl1

    You are preaching to the choir. Sometimes you gotta go up side their heads! Again, I appreciate your input.
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    I cant read

    the patent date on the photo..can you tell me what that is? i may be able to find its patent for you..that would answer all our questions if we can.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

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