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Replacing a American District Steam AR-1 regulator and gas valve.

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SpenceSS
SpenceSS Member Posts: 5
in THE MAIN WALL

I guess I need to replace a regulator, gas valve and pilot safety switch. It currently has an AR-1 regulator and a White Rodgers, type 26A01 gas valve. I have no idea what I need to replace it. It goes on a boiler that provides in the ceiling heat for my house.

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  • SpenceSS
    SpenceSS Member Posts: 5
    edited November 4

    I have a boiler system in my house that was installed in 1954. It has always worked great but this year when my stepson was checking it out before we re-lit it for the winter, found that the by-pass from the regulator (American District Steam Co, AR-1) is causing the boiler to burn rich and causing a lot of soot. The boiler heats from the ceiling and since the coils are copper, I am not sure if it is worth trying to repair or not because the life cycle of the copper may be coming to an end. Would I be better off converting to something else. Thanks, Spence

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,752
    edited November 4
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1870538#Comment_1870538

    if the regulator vent is emitting gas, the diaphragm in the regulator is bad. do you have pictures? if it is an ordinary valve and regulator yo can have someone replace it with a modern combination valve that will contain the regulator, gas valve, safety valve, and pilot control.

  • SpenceSS
    SpenceSS Member Posts: 5
    edited November 4

    Thanks for the info. I'm new to this type of question thing. I'm not at the house right now so I can't get a picture, but the regulator has a tube coming out of the top of it that exits near the pilot light. And when the gas comes on there is gas coming out of that tube.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,752
    edited November 4

    the vent on the regulator is to reference the diaphragm in the regulator to atmospheric pressure. if the diaphragm is intact there should never be gas on the vent side. the vent is run to the pilot to burn off the gas if the diaphragm fails.

  • SpenceSS
    SpenceSS Member Posts: 5
    edited November 4

    Thanks again, I guess I need to find a new regulator

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,752
    edited November 4
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1870581#Comment_1870581

    you replace the whole gas train with a modern combination valve.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,342
    edited November 4

    District Steam often refers to a company that provides steam thru pipes in the ground like the water company or the gas company. If you have a gas valve you are more than likely have a boiler in your basement and you are not using District Steam.

    You may have a gas regulator that is piped in the gas piping that leads up the the gas burner on your (American) Gas boiler that makes steam in your basement. There are no current regulators that have a model number or part number AR-1 And the current like of White Rogers gas valves have no 26A01 models currently available. WR uses 36 series model numbers like the 36C03, 36E36 or 36H32. These parts may be very old and are no longer available. post a photo of the parts and perhaps there are modern parts that can retrofit or modernize your old boiler.

    Edward Young Retired

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

  • HeatingHelp.com
    HeatingHelp.com Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 180

    @SpenceSS, I've merged your separate discussions into one here to prevent confusion. Thanks!

    Forum Moderator

    mattmia2
  • SpenceSS
    SpenceSS Member Posts: 5

    American District Steam and AR 1 are cast into the regulator cover, that's where I got that name. The actual name on the boiler itself is National Gas Boiler, internaltube. The other specs on the tag are 510 square ft steam, 815 square ft water and 153,000 btu. the regulator and gas valve have 3/4 fittings in and out. Here are a couple of pics. Hope somebody can tell me what I need.

    DSCN3017.JPG DSCN3018.JPG
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,752

    You need a modern combination valve and someone that knows how to install and adjust it.

    something similar to this

    image.png

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