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The Duke Mansion Mystery

HeatingHelp
HeatingHelp Administrator Posts: 701
edited April 3 in THE MAIN WALL
The Duke Mansion Mystery

Not long after The Lovely Marianne and I started that little business of ours in 1989, a caretaker called and asked if I would be willing to consult on a problem hot-water-heating system in what he claimed was “the biggest house you will ever see.”

Read the full story here

Mad Dog_2Intplm.GrallertAmovida

Comments

  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,803

    I always love hearing this story.

    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
    Intplm.
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,961
    edited April 3

    I wonder if the estate is still intact, Dan, would you know? One of my life coaches was a "Led Diables Bleus" (Blue Devil). Academic All-American at Fullback, Mike Mad Dog Curtis #32 (RIP)...Go Blue Devils!!

    Mad Dog

    images.jpeg
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,097

    Another example of different trades not talking to each other.

    17436957538416209520374543094267.jpg
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    Mad Dog_2
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,632
    edited April 5

    The mansion is no more. Too expensive to maintain.

    https://www.nj.com/somerset/2016/04/doris_duke_mansion_has_been_razed_stones_columns_p.html

    Retired and loving it.
    Mad Dog_2delcrossv
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,961

    Breaks my heart..Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    delcrossv
  • DCContrarian
    DCContrarian Member Posts: 1,111
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850920#Comment_1850920

    What kills me about that picture is the next joist over the pipe goes under the joist. So it could have just run under this one too. Oh well.

    delcrossvIntplm.
  • RascalOrnery
    RascalOrnery Member Posts: 74

    I really enjoyed the pictures of the rubble of what used to be a mansion. I'm glad there was 40 pictures of shattered history and hardwork instead of 40 pictures of history and hardwork. I guess the news reporter isn't used to getting up as early as the construction (er, destruction team) :(

    delcrossvGrallert
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,382

    Not to defend the plumber but:

    In the picture of the joist, the butchered joist is taller than the next one.

    Note the top of the windows for scale.

    FWIW

  • Pumpguy
    Pumpguy Member Posts: 732

    From its Swiss cheese appearance, I don't think it's doing much good in any case.

    Dennis Pataki. Former Service Manager and Heating Pump Product Manager for Nash Engineering Company. Phone: 1-888 853 9963
    Website: www.nashjenningspumps.com

    The first step in solving any problem is TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
  • CLamb
    CLamb Member Posts: 336
    edited April 6
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850888#Comment_1850888

    The estate is pretty much intact. It is operated by the Doris Duke Foundation as a nature preserve and education center. https://www.dukefarms.org/

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,345

    I think that plumber was there about 125 years after the carpenter.

    Mad Dog_2
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,382

    I think the chewed up beam is a poured in place concrete beam.

    The honeycomb is from small drill holes, and looks like some rebar was in the way also.

    In any event not a good deal.

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