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One-pipe steam boiler systems



NOVEMBER 2007 NOTICE: THIS GALLERY GETS A LOT OF VIEWS (RELATIVELY) WHICH IS KIND OF INTERESTING. CURIOUS IF IT IS LINKED AT SOME WEBSITE. LET ME KNOW HOW YOU FOUND IT PLEASE. THANKS!



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These are a couple of galleries for showing some simple and MAJOR improvements to one-pipe steam heating systems.

Help was obtained from http://www.heatinghelp.com/

The folks on the forum, and Dan who runs the website, REALLY know their steam systems (Steamhead and Mad Dog are GREAT!). The engineers and contractors who installed the steam and hot water systems back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries never were 'replaced' (collectively known as Dead Men now), but their legacy lives on here. It truly is a Lost Art being rediscovered. Do you think that heat pump is going to be around 100 years from now???


UPDATE Dec. 2005: Gorton main vents came in and a #2 has been installed in the rental house - WHAT a difference refiring the system from a dead cold. Now to replace a few of the radiator vents that were bad...

UPDATE Jan. 2006: Gorton main vents have been installed on the primary house system. The anticipator was also set higher to make a longer burn cycle. Short cycling was happening with the previous setting (.4); however, when it was bumped to .5, and I blew some dust out of the thermostat, the cycle was longer but still on the order of 2 to 3 minutes on and 4 to 5 off. It's now on .7 and we're testing out the 'comfort factor' of temp changes while trying to hit the sweet spot of 3 or 4 cycles per hour. One rad vent is not closing and next up is balancing the system and fitting new vents all around.

UPDATE#2 Jan 2006: Gorton radiator vents are all on and system is doing great, although we have had mild weather so it hasn't run 'hard' yet. Lower range pressure gauge (0 to 5 psi) was installed but since the system hasn't really run hard yet, it only wiggles some. Anticipator is now set around 1.0 and it's hitting about 4 to 5ish cycles per hour (haven't timed it yet) with call for heat. Colder weather is coming so we'll see about tweaking some more.
Primary one-pipe steam system
:: Primary one-pipe steam system :: 		Uncle's rental one-pipe steam system
:: Uncle's rental one-pipe steam system :: 		new Gorton main vents have arrived!!!
new Gorton main vents have arrived!!!		 Gorton #2 main vent - pretty big sucker; I mean venter!
Gorton #2 main vent - pretty big sucker; I mean venter!
Gorton #1 main vent
Gorton #1 main vent

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Guest 21-Oct-2012 14:06
should make up water for a residential steam boiler come off the supply of a domestic water heater
Larry Czerniak 15-Feb-2011 12:26
Is it possible to use old cast iron single tube steam radiators in a two tube steam heating system (either to replace defective radiators within the system or to expand it)? ; If it is possible to do so, what modifications must be done in order to do so?
Guest 10-Jan-2011 00:42
Looking into replacing my main vents with Gorton #2's, Googled it and came up here...other than PexSupply of course.
Guest 17-Nov-2010 21:54
Googled "steam main vent" -- result #3.
William Elefante 15-Nov-2010 06:18
can I have your suggestions on what is the most recommended material to be used for hot water piping insulation on boiler system?
Jeff Vogel 09-Feb-2010 22:13
I have a new steam unit heater the problem is I am not sure how to add to my low preasure steam one pipe system.
Ed Resor 14-Oct-2009 16:44
Does anyone know how to get the quietest main air vent? Our new tenants are being woken up a 6 am because of the main vent in their bedroom.
Alternative is to build a little box type of cover with sound insulation, but plenty for room for air to get out.
Guest 12-Oct-2009 22:17
Googled Dead Men Boilers and your page came up at or near the top
Ray V 16-Aug-2009 22:35
I am replacing a one pipe steam boiler with two existing mains . I did not see the old setup it was already cutout. Do I pipe two seperate risers off the header ? It's a weil mcLain gas fired boiler it's replacing an oil fired boiler. I appreciate any help you can give me.
Cam 13-Jul-2009 21:11
I used "dead men" as a key word, as Dan is always worth checking in with on this subject. I am investigating a system in Fargo that has a one-pipe distribution, but a hybrid condensate system. The second boiler was a 1909 Kewanee, but now has a 2007 L.E.S. firetube.
Mike Greenway 31-Mar-2009 12:54
3/30/09
I was googling for steam boiler information ... I have a rental with a steam one pipe system in Baltimore, MD. and few people understand the system.
Henry 20-Mar-2009 02:37
I was searching "steam boiler piping " I have to release a mechanical violation in a steam boiler. The inspector wrote "(1) Check valve unit added to the boiler at the breach point to meet code"
Anybody knows where is exactly located the breach point in the boiler set up? thank you. This happened in New York
Guest 03-Dec-2008 21:03
What brand of pipe insulation are you using? I noticed the insulation you are using in the near boiler piping. I can't find decent steam pipe insulation locally.
Guest 02-Dec-2008 11:54
12/2008 installing steam/radiator system in brand new construction house and searching gorton #2 vent for npt size and found your site.
( PLUG ) System designed by steamhead from All Steamed Up Inc.
I am in Massachusetts.
JSG 11-Nov-2008 21:05
I did a google search on one pie steam systems, have a customer who had someone in before me and that had put Hoffman #75 vents on his system. they must have thought it was a hot water boiler due the fact these #75's are constantly letting steam off, ha ha ha. What idiots.
Chris 11-Sep-2008 04:11
Hey Matt,
GREAT WEBSITE! Wow, looks like you know steam systems! I actually don't know that much about steam and a buddy of mine who lives in Pa. is having alot of problems with his one pipe steam system. Now, I have a question about the main steam vents. I was looking at the steam system you did (Primary one pipe steam system) and the main vents (on the piping layout) shows the main vents at the end of the mains, where I am going to assume the pipes go to the 2nd floor. The main steam vent at my friends house is about 3 liner feet from the main supply, should I move this down the line to the end for more air release? Or is that more work, I mean there is no air vent there now, I would have to install one. Just asking, thanks!
Guest 13-Feb-2008 04:27
Did a Google search for a book by Frank Gerety that Dan Holohan mentions in his book, and found this. Dan's book is probably the best purchase I've ever made. 2/12/08 JM
guest 14-Jan-2008 01:47
Searched Google on steam heat balancing systems "one pipe"
This was hit #7
Guest 30-Dec-2007 04:59
12/29/07 to reply to your question, I found this site as last link of page 2 yahoo search on "STEAM MAIN VENT"
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