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O.E. Vapor System

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offdutytech
offdutytech Member Posts: 228
edited December 16 in Radiant Heating

I went to meet a customer today who had a gravity system to scope out the system. Their complaint was that a previous contractor used to come and bleed air from the system from time to time. Poking around each radiator was warm some hotter than others. I suspected that the original valves that had been replaced don't have orrfice plates in them. What I questioned was the fitting at the outlet of each radiator on the basement, 1st and 2nd floors. The third floor had none, but someone installed Gorton C vents on those two. I haven't run into this fitting before and wanted to get more insight on it. I attached pictures of the radiators and one close up of the fitting.

IMG_3613.jpeg
IMG_3618.jpeg IMG_3622.jpeg IMG_3619.jpeg IMG_3615.jpeg IMG_3612.jpeg IMG_3623.jpeg

Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,444
    edited December 14

    don't remember the system but that is a return fitting for one of the vapor systems. if i recall it has a water seal and a ball in it. someone that recognizes it will tell you.

    are any of the vapor specialties still near the boiler?

    that one pipe radiator might be ok depending on how it is plumbed. the vent could be a problem depending on the specific vapor system.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,184
    edited December 14

    That's an "O-E" Vapor system. It is covered in chapter 15 of @DanHolohan 's book "The Lost Art of Steam Heating".

    The fittings on the radiator returns are water seals which, assuming the steam pressure is kept low enough, will keep steam from getting into the returns.

    The third floor radiator was probably added later, as during a remodel.

    There is probably an air vent at the end of each dry (overhead) return in the basement. Can you post pics of these?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 228

    @Steamhead

    That makes more sense. Unfortunately I was in a hurry today trying to meet my better half to move her horse to a different barn. I'll contact the customer to get some more pics. My first thought was darn that looks alot like a Moaut water seal.

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,184

    I think Mouat, O-E, Richardson, Broomell, VECO, Wiley and other systems that used water seals all had the same basic influence.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    mattmia2offdutytechMad Dog_2
  • gpjazz
    gpjazz Member Posts: 36

    Is it just me, or is that basement radiator being suspended just by the piping connections ???

    Mad Dog_2
  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 228

    Long shot on this but does a PDF of this book exist or anyone have a copy they would like to sell.

    IMG_3639.jpeg

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,377

    No Jazzy....Do you see the two hooks grabbing the bottom of the radiator? Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    mattmia2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,377
    IMG_20251216_075224.jpg
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,377
    4425.jpg
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 228

    @Mad Dog_2 indeed there were grab hooks, when I first saw that my back hurt just looking at it to lift that thing up there!

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

    Mad Dog_2
  • reggi
    reggi Member Posts: 533
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1877493#Comment_1877493

    Not sure if this is it, but sometimes you have to get off the Wall and visit the library

    https://www.heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/o-e-perfect-system/
    One way to get familiar something you know nothing about is to ask a really smart person a really stupid question
    Mad Dog_2
  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 228

    Thanks I actually found a hard copy of the book at a online thrift bookstore and it should be arriving the next few days.

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

    reggi

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