steam heat issues - Page 2 - DIY Chatroom

tk03 · 02-01-2009, 10:20 AM

The most important question asked here was not answered. Does the main line vent work, or better asked is there a main line vent and does it work?
This convector is the last one on the pipe assume. Balancing the system is not a geography lesson. It does not matter where the convector is from the boiler but the size of the convector. Vent smaller ones slower and larger ones faster. if the main line vent is working maybe double it up.
For more info see the link below.
http://www.comfort-calc.net/Steam_FAQ.html

beenthere · 02-01-2009, 10:43 AM

[quote=tk03;222992]This convector is the last one on the pipe assume. Balancing the system is not a geography lesson. It does not matter where the convector is from the boiler but the size of the convector. Vent smaller ones slower and larger ones faster. if the main line vent is working maybe double it up.

Location does matter.

A second floor convector, can have a lot longer travel, then the first floor ones. Takes longer for the steam to travel even just an extra 10 to 12'.
Plus, the pipe then helps to heat the first floor.

JohnH1 · 02-01-2009, 08:37 PM

The picture shows the cover off the convector. I just want to make sure you are operating with the cover on. This operates usung a chimney effect. To work they require the cover to be inplace.
Not that it has anything to do with the heat output but you should not use copper piping in a steam system anywere above the water line of the boiler.

Leah Frances · 02-01-2009, 10:32 PM

Go to www.heatinghelp.com. THe reading I did there helped me alot with my single pipe steam system.

tk03 · 02-02-2009, 09:13 AM

The only difference in balancing the system is the vertical pipe. What I mean by the geography is the distance from the boiler. If you have a small radiator as the last radiator on the main and a large radiator midway out the main, the larger radiator vent must be open further than the small radiator at the end. The purpose of the main line vent is too vent the main quickly and first. Then the radiator vents must just vent vertical piping and rads. Bigger rads have more air than smaller ones. Therefore they must vent faster to balance. It does not matter if the rad is closer or further from the boiler.
The piping per floor does matter somewhat but not a whole lot. If we take time to do the math and look at cu ft of air in the pipes and radiators would dial us right in. Residentially that normally will not happen.
I usually measure the largest and smallest rad on the first floor. Vent the largest about 1/2 of the way maybe slightly more. The smallest less than that depending on the number of different sizes.
The second floor I do the same thing but work around the full open area. Again the importance of the main line vent to vent or two to vent the main fast and furious.