Crane of Maevsky: characteristics and working principle

You must have heard the phrase "Maevsky crane" for sure. It is designed to vent air in heating batteries. Without this small device, heating devices can not be set up, since air often forms in the systems, which prevents the normal circulation of water.

crane? In one official document you will not find the name "Maevsky crane", but inIn everyday life this tap is called that way almost all plumbing. And only a few can object and say the correct name of this device. According to Gosstandart, the device is classified as "locking equipment" and is referred to as "Needle-type radiator air valve".We will not go deep into history to find out why the air valve has such a name.

Brief historical background

The crane was invented in 1933 and immediately began to be introduced everywhere. If you believe the research of scientists, then such an invention met a little earlier. In 1931 Roan invented the tap. The design consisted of 2 parts, between which was a gasket. In 1932, with the onset of the heating season, the crane was successfully tested and began to be used to bleed air in the heating radiators. The principle of operation of the two cranes is similar, only the Maevsky crane differs by the cone-cone connection, and also by the cruciform shape of the key. In general, both devices cope with a single task - bleed the air formed in the system. Over the years, the adaptation of little-known plumbing has receded into the background, and only one "Maevsky" crane has been universally applied.

How the

works. Obviously, when the temperature in the living area begins to drop, you should look for the reasons. First - the batteries get warmed up badly because the air gets into the system and warm water can not circulate normally. Then the Maevsky crane is used for radiators.

If you do not remove the air from the system, then it will not be fully filled with water and do not expect heat. To solve a similar problem, it is necessary to install a special device on the batteries, which is widely used for removing air from radiators. We are talking about central heating systems. Usually when organizing individual heating, such problems occur rarely, but for personal reasons many owners install Mayevsky cranes on radiators if the system is filled with water. In addition, such cranes need to be installed on towel rails( except - electrical appliances for drying towels).

Externally the valves( normal and automatic) can differ from each other, but they are united by the same - the same principle of operation. The crane is a kind of conical stem, if it is completely twisted, it closes the hole.

Air valves made of steel or brass are made, as they are resistant to corrosion. The buyer can choose any favorite model of the crane. The main thing that you need to pay attention to is the diameter of the thread from the outside. For each type of radiator you need to choose the Maevsky crane by the size of the thread. The standard thread on the cone is 1 inch, 1/2 inch, for old cast iron radiators, cranes with a small thread of 3/4 inch are used. Now such air valves are used for modern floor radiators and multi-row batteries "Accord".

When buying, pay attention to the following: Mayevsky cranes can be ordinary and automatic.

crane device The air valve is designed simply - it consists of a body and a cone-shaped screw that is screwed inwards. At a low water flow rate or insufficient volume( when people drain water from heating batteries in winter for personal needs), air accumulates in the system. As a result, the batteries do not heat up well, the room temperature decreases.

The Mayevsky crane can be opened manually without using a special tool( this depends on the valve model), a screwdriver or a key.

How to "bleed" the air from the system:

1. Prepare a rag and place a bowl under the battery for the water. So you will not spoil the floor.
2. To release air, turn the cock half turn counterclockwise and wait for the air to escape. If there is a lot of it, you can turn the tap a little more and wait.
3. As soon as you open the tap, you will hear a characteristic hiss, which means that the air is smoothly discharged from the heating system. Do not relax, as the air goes out quickly and with it water will soon begin to go. As soon as it "goes", it's time to turn the tap, because the air is already out.

Even senior high school students will be able to cope with this work. The actions are simple: turned the tap, waited, closed.

If forced circulation pumps( individual heating) are installed in the system, the pump must be switched off before venting the air. If he continues to work, then completely remove the air will not work.

Maevsky crane is considered a hand-held device intended for installation in centralized heating systems. If you have an autonomous heating or a closed house, the Mayevsky automatic crane, which does not require the participation of a person, works best by removing excess air from the heating system. This is very convenient, since such a Maevsky crane will relieve people from constant monitoring of the water temperature in the batteries and retraction manually.

Since the thread on the air valve for connection has remained the same, corresponding to the GOST of Soviet times, then you can easily install an automatic faucet on any radiators, though old, at least of modern design.

To install the faucet independently, you do not need special tools, as well as skills. Understanding how the heating system works, you can easily cope with the task.

How to install the

yourself Before installing the crane, the water must be drained from the system, unscrew the cap in the radiator( upper part) and install the tap on this place. If the valve is to be installed on a centralized heating battery, it is best to install the valve in the summer, when the system is completely drained of water.

Let's consider step by step how to mount the crane yourself:

1. If we need to put the Maevsky crane for cast iron radiators, then we'll have to work. It will be necessary to drill a hole at the top, in the plug itself, then make a thread and screw the tap.
2. If you use centralized heating, it is not desirable to install an automatic valve. Due to the fact that the water in the system is constantly circulating, it gradually becomes dirty, so the tap can get very clogged and you will have to constantly clean it. And if we consider that in large houses heating is often turned off, then the air is formed quickly.
3. Since hydraulic impacts often occur in the central system, it is worth considering the purchase of the crane "OMEC" or "MC-140", it can withstand up to 15 atm and the water temperature in the system is up to + 150 ° C.

How to service

The Maevsky air crane is considered reliable, as it has been working properly for many years. When there are contaminants in the system, large debris, a small tap hole may become clogged. Then the device must be freed from debris that accumulates inside or in a plastic lining. This is easy to do by cleaning a hole with a needle or pin.

If you did everything correctly, and the battery does not heat up, then the radiator itself is clogged. Then you need the help of a specialist. Perhaps it will be enough just to clean the battery. Be prepared and that you can be advised to install a new radiator.

If the faucet has become unusable, it must be replaced. To do this, you need a special tool - a gas or a wrench. You need to tighten the battery cap and hold it, turn off the tap.

How to Operate

These simple guidelines will help you learn more about how to properly operate the Maevsky crane so that it lasts for many years:

• install the air valve only on the heating battery;
• sometimes, to serve the crane, one screwdriver will be small. Especially if the crane is located in a remote place, for example, in a niche. Then you should think about buying a key;
• when you are dumping air, remember that there should not be sources of open fire nearby( for example, a fireplace) or you work with a lighted cigarette. Even the smallest spark can provoke a fire;
• do not hold the Mayevsky cock in the open position, as your heater can quickly become unusable;
• if you have not used the tap for a long time, the thread may become rusty and it will be very difficult to unscrew it. You need to drop a little kerosene on the thread and wait 1-2 minutes. Now you can easily unscrew the thread. Only carefully, that the air began to come out gradually.

What are the advantages of the operation of the Mayevsky

crane? To prevent the operation of the heating system, you can use alternative devices. For example, install a ball valve. But nevertheless the Maevsky crane will be beneficial to look at the heating device, thanks to the ergonomic design.

We also do not forget that in an apartment building, if you do not have a Maevsky crane installed, there is a great risk of flooding the premises below. And this - spoiled nerves and extra expenses for damages. That is why it is worthwhile to buy and install the Maevsky crane. The cost of an air valve compared to a property damaged by a flood is minimal. The valve costs about 20 to 60 rubles.

If you compare a conventional valve to an automatic one, the latter looks nice though, but because of dirty water it often clogs. Because of this, the crane can break and not work on time.

The advantage of the crane is also that it is a reliable and easy-to-use locking equipment. It can be installed on any batteries, as the supplied rubber sealing ring. You just need to properly install the valve and rotate the screw from time to time to get rid of the air.

It is important, if you live on the last floor, then the fate of the inhabitants of the whole riser depends on your actions. If you remove air from the system in a timely manner, all residents of the house or riser will have hot batteries, and hence heat in the house.

Installing in your apartment a Maevsky crane, you save money for heating. With the timely monitoring of the temperature of the radiators, you prevent them from cooling, which means that the room will be warmed evenly and you do not have to turn on the electric heaters to keep warm in the cold.

To learn the operating principle of the Mayevsky crane, watch this video: