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Webster Type R System in my 1934 colonial

WilliamGwiazdowski
WilliamGwiazdowski Member Posts: 49
in Strictly Steam

System works well just showing it off. Very unmolested system. Currently being steamed up by a 1998 Burnham PV73ST-HBUR. Output is 379 sqft of steam.

Has the original radiator valves by Webster, original Webster radiator traps and American Radiator Corto radiators. Thinking of upgrading to a vapor stat to hopefully save on some fuel may need to talk to a plumber friend of mine to see if that is a worthy upgrade. Also considering doing some maintenance such as fresh cage units for the traps. I also do need to put a new chamber in the boiler it is in pretty poor condition I'll probably have my plumber friend give me a hand with that as well. Other than regular maintenance/cleaning and the occasional new part such as low water cut off/primary control/motor for the burner it's been a fairly reliable burner/boiler

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mattmia2

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,931

    Agree

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • WilliamGwiazdowski
    WilliamGwiazdowski Member Posts: 49

    Since we are getting closer to heating season here in Connecticut doing the cage units will probably wait until next summer but when I have the week off in between Christmas and New Year's I'll take care of doing the combustion chamber, filters, nozzle and cleaning the boiler

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 13,956
    edited September 8

    Does the boiler cycle? how does the boiler size compare to the connected radiation? the vaporstat will only do something if the boiler is too big. if the pressure is controlled the traps shouldn't be doing anything anyhow.

  • WilliamGwiazdowski
    WilliamGwiazdowski Member Posts: 49
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1864245#Comment_1864245

    It doesn't cycle. It just runs until the thermostat is satisfied. Boiler is also my domestic hot water so not sure if that has anything to do with the cycling or not. I'll have to find my pad but I did figure out the EDR of all of my radiators and it's very close.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,944

    @WilliamGwiazdowski , that boiler is at least 35 years old. Make sure it's not leaking before you put much money into it.

    Where are you located?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • WilliamGwiazdowski
    WilliamGwiazdowski Member Posts: 49

    @Steamhead Southeast Connecticut. It was installed in October of '98 and the rating tag says it was manufactured in June of '98. Trying to keep it going as long as possible. As far as I can tell it's not leaking. I do regular checks of the gauge glass and it barely moves and I barely have to add water to it. There's no auto feeder on it.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 13,956
    edited September 8

    flood it, turn it off and fill it up to the steam riser, let it sit a couple hours and see if water comes out anywhere. that will test for leaks above the water line

    you could add a 0-3 or 0-5 psig gauge to it and that will let you know if it is actually building any pressure now. sometimes the low pressure gauges available are calibrated in oz/in^2

  • WilliamGwiazdowski
    WilliamGwiazdowski Member Posts: 49

    Good suggestion. I have before opened up the pressure relief when it's steaming and I do hear a little pressure come out.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,442

    38 years is a good run from any boiler especially a Burnham. You could make it to 50 years.

    If the boiler runs without shutting off on a call for heat until the stat is satisfied don't waste money on a vaporstat.

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,622
    edited September 8

    " It was installed in October of '98 and the rating tag says it was manufactured in June of '98. "

    I get one month short of 27 Years of service. Or only a few months over 27 Years old since it was made.

    If you like the gauge idea and your EDR is well matched to the boiler you may want something like this, a Dwyer Magnahelic Gage, Not too expensive on eBay. Many variations to choose from. You could build a water Manometer with clear tubing to get into the correct ballpark.

    My boiler (slightly undersized) never goes over 2 inches of water column. 1PSIG = 27.679 inches of water. Even on a 3 PSI Gauge 0.072 PSIG would be hard to see.

    BTW if your pressure is as low as I expect a Vaporstat may be a waste of money, since it will probably never trip. I think I'd figure out what your pressure actually is first.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • WilliamGwiazdowski
    WilliamGwiazdowski Member Posts: 49

    It has served us very well. No real issues other than a new low water cut off as well as normal maintenance to the burner and normal cleaning of the boiler. I did have a mystery water leak last year but I figured it out the drain valve was leaking so I simply capped it off with a garden hose cap.

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