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Single pipe radiator

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Czakky82
Czakky82 Posts: 14
in Strictly Steam

Howdy, Iโ€™ve got an old Moline two pipe system that has a retrofit single pipe radiator added on at some point. Once I got my system running correctly (Thanks to Danโ€™s book!) the retrofit single pipe rad water hammers horribly and has been valved off ever since. It has a new working vent, etc.

Is there anyway to get this rad working on this system? Bigger vent?

Thanks

Bill

Comments

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Posts: 1,846

    You have to consider how the condensate is being handled from the single pipe radiator. Usually a water loop or a trap could be used. You can't just dump the condensate back in the steam line as it is properly not sized for that.

    Send a diagram of how this radiator was added. Andโ€ฆ at what pressure is the boiler operating?

    Czakky82Intplm.
  • Czakky82
    Czakky82 Posts: 14

    Iโ€™ll work on a diagram. As far as pressure goes. I have a large 0-15psi gauge on the header. It never registers pressure. The other radiators heat up quite fast, no complaints there.

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Posts: 27,738

    What @Long Beach Ed said. Also check the pitch of all the piping from the main to the radiator.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    Czakky82Long Beach Ed
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Posts: 3,140

    @Czakky82 While your doing your homework. Why not post some pictures of the rad and piping to get a better look?

  • Czakky82
    Czakky82 Posts: 14
    IMG_6302.jpeg

    supply line (obviously)

  • Czakky82
    Czakky82 Posts: 14
    image.jpg

    radiator

  • Czakky82
    Czakky82 Posts: 14

    from the tee it runs about 7 linear feet and only about 12inches vertical.

    Unfortunately the supply is at best level for those 7 feet from the tee.

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Posts: 2,204
    edited February 2025

    Need some pitch. The takeoff from the end of the main pretty much guarantees water in the lateral.

    Is that main counterflow? If not, it needs to go to a drip or crossover trap- not a supply line.

    If you're feeling frisky, repipe it as 2 pipe like the rest of the system. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    ethicalpaulCzakky82
  • Czakky82
    Czakky82 Posts: 14

    @delcrossv, I was hoping there was some long lost ancient steam secret that would unlock my hopes.๐Ÿ˜‚

    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Posts: 2,204
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1845863#Comment_1845863

    Sorry, but the only way to fix something this bodged is to unbodge it. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    Long Beach Ed
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,834

    What size pipe is feeding that radiator?

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Baltimore, MD, USA

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 20,946

    You can hook it up 2 pipe. Just drop the return from the rad down in the basement and make a water seal come back up into the main. The drop to the water sealhas to be the right length in relation to the steam pressure. No trap needed.

    Long Beach Eddelcrossv
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Posts: 1,846

    "unbodge"

    delcrossv
  • RTW
    RTW Posts: 285

    bodge[bรคj]verb

    1. make or repair (something) badly or clumsily:"they were left in a half-finished house renovation when the company bodged improvement works" ยท "the door was bodged together from old planks"

    Had to look this term up, but "unbodge" is clearly on point and should be part of the lexicon

    Regards,

    RTW

    delcrossvLong Beach Ed

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