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2 pipe with traps on rads. Where to set metering valve?

delcrossv
delcrossv Member Posts: 1,437
in Strictly Steam

Conventional 2 pipe system with traps on each radiator. I'm putting in Mepco metering valves to replace broken inlet valves on the rads so I have adjustability. The Mepco valves have an adjustable orifice for use with Vapor(?) systems (replaces the orifice on the inlet).

Question is: do I set the orifice so the rad gets 80-90% filled like a vapor system, or leave it wide open?

Valve specs below

Mepco 2.jpg

Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,988

    That's one of those questions… how big is a box? The metering orifice should generally be set so that the radiator is about 80 to 90 percent hot at the end of a long run. Then you can control the heat in the space by reducing the throttling valve (the accessible handle) to what you want.

    Be aware that the above is pressure sensitive, and any adjustments should be made when the system is operating at its normal pressure — usually no more than a few ounces. Not that the valves can't be used on higher pressure systems — they can — but the orifice will be set smaller.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,437
    edited December 18
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1827638#Comment_1827638

    @Jamie Hall even for conventional 2 pipe? It's not a Vapor system and runs at under 1 psi (but I could adjust it lower).

    This is looking like a multivariate tweak between pressure and setting the stop.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,988

    The work fine on a conventional two pipe system. Just adjust the metering section to suit the system working pressure, that's all.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,437
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1827642#Comment_1827642

    Ok. I'll set it for 90% fill at the end of a long run and be done with it.

    Thanks!

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • KarlW
    KarlW Member Posts: 156

    If you are putting in new valves, have you considered Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)?

    These can provide better comfort, but at a cost - your boiler gets (effectively) even more oversized as you may be heating 6 radiators instead of 10 at a time.

    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,437
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1827645#Comment_1827645

    Thought about it, but people will be monkeying with those as much as manual regulating valves.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.

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