One pipe steam system

 
hardcoalhardcore
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Post by hardcoalhardcore » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:24 pm

Anyone good with steam systems on here??


 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:25 pm

There are a few. If you have a specific question, just ask.

 
hardcoalhardcore
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Post by hardcoalhardcore » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:27 pm

The steam is not making its way to the end of the main pipe

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:44 pm

Likely a malfunctioning radiator vent.

You should also check the pitch of the piping. Houses settle over time.

 
hardcoalhardcore
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Post by hardcoalhardcore » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:47 pm

The main isn't even getting hot near the end of the run. I took the main vent off and there wasn't even any steam coming out

 
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Post by lzaharis » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:56 pm

Has the boiler shut down from a low water condition without you knowing it??
Do you have enough water in the steam chest??
Have you drained off the mud leg recently to clear it of any debris and dirt?

You wold have been blasted with some wet steam when you took the vent off the main if it was running correctly.

 
hardcoalhardcore
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Post by hardcoalhardcore » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 2:01 pm

Not to my knowledge has the boiler shut down from low water.
The water level in the sight glass is where it should be.
I drain it every other day


 
lzaharis
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Post by lzaharis » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 2:21 pm

lzaharis wrote:
Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:56 pm



1. IS the boiler shut down now?

2. Is this boiler using a manual fill valve or an auto fill valve in the steam chest?

3. When was the low water cut off last serviced?? Do you have one or two low water cut offs using the second one as a fail safe control?

4. Has the pressuretrol been cleaned recently? It may be plugged which would affect the boilers operation.

5. Is the water level gauge working correctly?

6. Has the pressuretrol been operating correctly?

7. What is your cut in pressure?

8. What is your cut out pressure?

9. Is your steam pressure gauge operating correctly?

10. How big (Inside Diameter)is the Main Header Pipe?

11. Do you have a Hartman loop on the boiler?

12. The main header could have sagged as Rob said. Do you own or have access to an 8 foot level to check the pitch?

13. Has the boiler shut down from a low water condition without you knowing it??

14. Do you have enough water in the steam chest??

15. Have you drained off the mud leg recently to clear it of any debris and dirt?

16. You would have been blasted with some wet steam when you took the vent off the main if the boiler was running correctly.

Being a novice at this, this is all I can think of at the moment. I would shut the boiler down and wait till it cools and check to see if the pressuretrol is plugged with dirt and then decide if you want to clean it or replace it.

 
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Post by franco b » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 4:11 pm

What fuel are you burning? Is the fire lively?

With a proper fire and vent removed you should get steam.

What does pressure gauge say?

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 5:02 pm

With the vent removed, things should have gotten very hot in short order. Whatever is wrong is simple.

Might be time to order the "Lost Art of Steam Heating".

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 5:25 pm

hardcoalhardcore wrote:
Sun. Dec. 10, 2017 1:27 pm
The steam is not making its way to the end of the main pipe
Is it going elsewhere? If so, you have a blockage most likely.

 
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Post by hardcoalhardcore » Wed. Dec. 13, 2017 7:02 pm

As of now I have an oil boiler but that's soon to change. I bought a 1953 Highboy that I'm having installed. I don't think there's a blockage because if the boiler runs long enough it gets steam to the end of the main. I have to turn the thermostat way up to get the last radiator at the end of the main to heat up. I'm going to wait until after the EFM stoker is hooked up to start trouble shooting the steam issue.

 
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Post by franco b » Thu. Dec. 14, 2017 12:11 pm

The last radiator needs faster venting than the closer radiators. The only fast venting radiator valves that I have experience with and that work well are the Gorton valves. The C and D have the largest openings. I would try the C size first.

 
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Post by Rob R. » Thu. Dec. 14, 2017 1:49 pm

Sounds like the system is out of balance. You may need some slower vents in the other radiators.

Are the mains insulated?

 
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Post by hardcoalhardcore » Sat. Dec. 16, 2017 12:27 pm

I have adjustable Varivalves on all my radiators. I have them open 1/4 of the way open on the smaller rads, 1/2 open on the medium rads and all the way open on the largest ones.
No the mains are not insulated


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