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Is My Main Vent Working?

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Dave_62
Dave_62 Member Posts: 21
in THE MAIN WALL
I just installed a gorton main vent. How can I confirm that it is working properly (just the vent itself)? If I hear/feel air coming out is that all I need to see/do?

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    If you sized it right

    you won't hear much air- but you should be able to feel some. And of course, no steam should leave the vent.

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  • Dave_62
    Dave_62 Member Posts: 21
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    details

    I think it's sized right based on other messages I've seen here. It's 47 feet long 2.5 inch pipe in a one pipe system and it serves 15 rads. It's a gorton2. Sound ok to you?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    That should be fine

    You want the steam to reach the end of the main a minute or two after the boiler starts sending steam into the main. If it's slower than this, add another #2.

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  • Dave_62
    Dave_62 Member Posts: 21
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    One more question

    I'm sure this is a stupid question but... how do I know when the boiler starts sending steam to the main? Thanks for your patience...
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    Use the

    "Ah-Ha-Ha test for the presence of BTUs". This is where you put your hand on the pipe leaving the boiler, and if there's steam in it it will make you go "Ah-Ha-Ha!"....... ;-)

    I can't take credit for that one- Dan told it to me a long time ago.....

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  • Dave_62
    Dave_62 Member Posts: 21
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    One more...

    Like I said, I knew it was a stupid question. One more if you don't mind... I'm haiving a very hard time gettting adequate steam to one radiator (the furthest from the boiler of course). It's the last takeoff from the main (just before the gorton#2 vent)and the takeoff line runs maybe 25 feet in total from the main to the radiator. I put a gorton D on it and it's better but still not enough. The main is 47 feet 2.5" pipe supplying 10 radiators (not 13 as I mentioned earlier in this thread). Can/should I vent the riser? I've checked the pitch of the pipes and the radiator itself, checked the valve, etc. and all else seems fine...
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    You could vent the riser

    but are you sure the riser is big enough for the radiator? Check the tables in Lost Art to find out. Also, is the riser insulated?

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  • t. tekushan
    t. tekushan Member Posts: 141
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    ah ha ha

    I now use the AH HA HA method myself. I used to use the "HOLY @%#*&$%#!" method, but it was brought to my attention that it was inappropriate in the presence of mixed company.
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