2 pipe vapor system?

Paul S_3 · March 23

Hey guys. Does anyone know what the large cylinder is. Boiler return trap or differential loop? I'm guessing the system is probably a vapor system. The large pipe at the bottom goes into the bull of a tee with check valves on both sides of the run of that tee. The small pipe on top from what I can see goes into the chimney. Radiators all have traps. Customer has a bunch of radiators that never heat that no one can fix. I can't find it in Dan's steam book. Just trying to be prepared when I go back.

Davidho · March 23

That looks like same trane system I have. I don’t have a pipe going into chimney. Main goes maybe 2 feet past the return main than drops straight down. Where there is a U made connecting to a one way flapper valve than trap than flapper. I am only a homeowner. From what I understand that boiler return trap was used before vaporstats. I didn’t know what was going on until I got an ounce gauge on the boiler.

Jamie Hall · March 23

Vapour system -- Trane, I think. The pipe into the chimney is the main vent for the entire system.

Not too many ways these can go wrong.

First, pressure -- must be maintained below 8 OUNCES per square inch -- which pretty well means a Vaporstat, not a Pressuretrol for the boiler (you can keep the pressuretrol and use it as a safety backup)(you'll probably want to add a low pressure gauge -- the code required 0 to 30 psi gauge is useless).

Second, traps. There should be crossover traps at the end of each steam main leading into the corresponding dry return. Make sure they are working, or if some brilliant child replaced them with main vents make sure those are working. There should also be a drop to a wet return at the same location -- and one from the steam main -- unless both pitch back to the boiler, which is unlikely.

Third, pipe pitch. Make sure that all the elevated pipes -- mains and returns both -- pitch to drain to a wet return or back to the boiler. Most likely a wet return. No sags. No reverse pitch.

Fourth, radiator valves. They can be open or partly closed to control the radiator. If a radiator isn't working... I know it sounds silly, but make sure the valve is open.

Fifth, radiator traps. A failed closed trap will prevent the associated radiator from heating. A failed open trap will allow that radiator to heat -- but may and often will prevent other radiators on that return from heating.

Steamhead · March 24

@Paul S_3 , @Davidho and @Jamie Hall are correct- this is a Trane Vapor system. We see a lot of these in Baltimore. The cylinder is a Direct Return Trap. Go here for more:

https://www.heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/trane-heating-specialties-for-vapor-and-vacuum-systems/

Most Trane systems used standard air vents on the steam mains and dry returns. If one of these is not working, the radiators it serves may not heat. Check this first.

delcrossv · March 24

According to the image in the link, the small pipe is to the dry return (?)

EBEBRATT-Ed · March 24

If the pipe vents in the chimney it may be full of soot, and if traps go bad your sending steam into the chimney which is not good and it may not be noticed. I would put a large vent on it

Paul S_3 · March 24

@delcrossv you may be right according to the literature I read.

Jamie Hall · March 24

EBEBRATT-Ed said:
If the pipe vents in the chimney it may be full of soot, and if traps go bad your sending steam into the chimney which is not good and it may not be noticed. I would put a large vent on it

So would I. A Gorton #2 to start with, and see how the pressure holds.

Mad Dog_2 · March 24

Frank. .Broomells also vent in to the chimney, right? Mad Dog 🐕

Steamhead · March 25

Mad Dog_2 said:
Frank. .Broomells also vent in to the chimney, right? Mad Dog 🐕

Yes they did. As did VECO and others. But a Return Trap would not.

Paul S_3 · March 25

Is there a possibility the boiler return trap can fail?

Paul S_3 · October 23

Hey guys quick question on this job again. Can I replace these radiator valves with just a standard angled radiator valve? Also, I believe this Trane steam trap is a B1 trap. Do they sell just the internals? Or should I just replace with a standard 1/2" angled steam trap? Thank you

delcrossv · October 23

If there's a trap, you can replace it with a regular (non-regulating) valve. I believe Mepco has better modulation than most valves.

https://www.mepcollc.com/product/740-radiator-valve/

Or Hoffman

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hoffman-405102-3-4-185C-Angle-Supply-Valve?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_HVAC_X_SSC_ClassB/C/New&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwveK4BhD4ARIsAKy6pMKMAY7EBb_qXeHIAwYxqWFzJpDW53XrHRQL7L99eQ3TWWFte2s4SzUaAqO6EALw_wcB

For the trap Barnes & Jones, and Tunstall make capsules. Google it.

Jamie Hall · October 23

Try Tunstall or Barnes&Jones for the internals for that trap.

Paul S_3 · October 30

Hey guys. We just received order for replacement steam traps. Replacements are for B1 Trane steam traps. Barnes and jones cover 4320C and 4320 cage unit do not fit. There is no writing on valve to indicate if it's a b1 or b2 steam trap. Does anyone know what model these traps are. Or should i just replace them with standard 1/2" steam traps.

Thank you

mattmia2 · October 30

I would contact barnes and jones with some pictures.

delcrossv · October 30

Did you try Tunstall?

Paul S_3 · October 30

I sent Barnes and jones pictures. They gave me a part# for covers and cage unit. They do not fit. There telling me there should be a model # on the side of the trap. There is no writing

Mad Dog_2 · October 30

I've never had a SINGLE issue with

Tunstall. Mad Dog

Steamhead · October 31

@Paul S_3 , there were several variations of the Trane B1 trap. The bellows and seat could be removable or non-removable. The pic of the insides of your trap doesn't really show much- is there what looks like a hex nut around the hole in the bottom?

Steamhead · October 31

B&J's trap repair guide is here:

https://barnesandjones.com/cage-unit-guide/

When you search on Trane, it will give you all the models they make parts for. There is one trap listed that does not have a number, it uses the #1969 cage unit.

Paul S_3 · October 31

@Steamhead no, the hole at the bottom is smooth brass with like a 3/8"/1/4" hole. It's part of the body of the trap

Paul S_3 · October 31

This is the only pic of the inside of the trap i

have at the moment

Steamhead · October 31

That's an integral (non-removable) seat. I bet it's the non-numbered one in the guide. It mentions a 21/64 orifice, maybe you have a drill bit that size you could use to confirm it?

Paul S_3 · November 1

Hey guys. I found that the B&J 4321 cage unit with 4321c cover fit perfectly. Thanks for all your insight. One more question, at the end of the dry return is a Hoffman#76 air vent/vacuum vent. I'm proposing to replace it with (3) B&J Big mouths. Is there any issues i can run into since the big mouths aren't vacuum vents? I read there no longer available. Thank you

delcrossv · November 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1817555#Comment_1817555

yes, they are.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hoffman-401432-76-1-2-x-3-4-Straight-Main-Steam-Vacuum-Valve-11742000-p?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_Heating_X_SSC_ClassB/C/New&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-JG5BhBZEiwAt7JR67KQQvnxRlD5vICdAhqLsbFNYpnqP9BblQrvVlcxWHDSlIiIzqJ3-RoC6ZoQAvD_BwE

But I kind of doubt you'll be running vacuum returns these days.

Jamie Hall · November 1

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1817555#Comment_1817555

Well, the 76 is still available, I think — if you want to trade in your Cadillac for it. You don't need it. You'll do fine with your 3 Big Mouths. In fact, in my humble opinion that will be overkill…

2 pipe vapor system?

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