Heating Help

The pinners don't meet the specs

@ March 30, 2012 9:35 PM in Small oil boiler

The specs that they are writing for these grants aren't met by the pinners.  Only the 3 passers will meet it.

I have been using the Burnham MPO.  Not my absolute favorite boiler, but one of the better ones.

I have been looking at the Peerless Cast 92-2 and 92-4's for my gas "Buy America" jobs.  That and the Hydrotherm KN series.  They are essentially the same boiler, but the Hydrotherm gives me a higher range, going up to 3 million.

Funny Paul.

@ March 30, 2012 10:37 AM in Mega Steam

I actually saw one of your Mod/Cons rocking and rolling due to misapplication yesterday.  It was a 501.  Scares the hell out of you for a few seconds.

Nice work Dan.

Good Job Henry

@ March 30, 2012 10:32 AM in New HTP install

Just a bit of advice.
If this is a high temp application, (160 - 180 deg F) then pay special attention to maintenance of the heat exchanger.  We are seeing some issues in the oldest versions of these that were run in that temp band for the bulk of their life.

I agree, easy to program and install.  I have become nervous in the last 6 months after seeing some of the previously mentioned issues.

Good Job.

Nice

@ March 29, 2012 9:00 PM in DrPepper

Great looking work David.

James list

@ March 29, 2012 8:45 PM in Capacitors

Our vans stock a list pretty similar to James'.  We don't keep 5's on the truck and maybe only one or two 7.5 for blower motors.  Most of our stuff is large commercial and institutional.  I like the multi taps, but don't completely trust them.  We use them to get out of a jam, but always replace them with the correct cap as soon as we can get one.

Buy America Act

@ March 29, 2012 8:29 PM in Small oil boiler

Most of the state jobs that I am seeing these days are grant funded through the "Buy America Act".  I looked at a job the other day where one of the European boilers would have been an absolutely perfect fit.  Couldn't use it.  Didn't get the job anyway.  Oh well.  Win some.  Loss some.
I would look at the Burnham myself.

The lineset has nothing to do with pressure Yesindeed.

@ March 13, 2012 8:43 PM in converting to 410a

It is all ACR tubing. The concern is whether there are soft soldered joints in the piping. Aside from that, follow furnacefighters advice. He is spot on.

Ditto

@ March 12, 2012 6:42 PM in Common venting for mod- con boilers?

SWEI is correct. It has to do with the listing.

If the manufacturer had it tested by UL or CSA with common venting then yes. If not then no. Check with your manufacturer.

Thanks SWEI

@ March 12, 2012 6:37 PM in Peerless Cast 92-2/4

You are correct with the lower btu models. i have heard of some issues on the larger ones. I have a colleague that has a couple 399's that he is started to get concerned about.

The inherent problem lies in the lack of a thermal mass to distribute the heat in the heat exchanger. A burner large enough to fire at half a million btus puts an incredible strain on the heat exchanger when subjected to the high end of the temperature band over the bulk of its life.

I am going to visit a site with 18 Hydrotherm KN's on Thursday. These have been up and running for a while and I am interested to talk to the guy that maintains them.

I will let you know.

Thanks Robert.

@ March 11, 2012 7:28 PM in Peerless Cast 92-2/4

I do a lot of 10,000+ sq ft high end residential and commercial. (As well as some large institutional work.) I have used the Elite's and Knights in the past with good results. However, I recently have seen some issues with the Gianonni's when subjected to high temps for extended periods.

The smaller boilers seem fine, it is the large ones, 200-600K that are showing the problems. I am searching for a solid retrofit boiler with modulation that can handle 180 design temps.

Thank you.

Heat loss calc

@ March 11, 2012 5:43 PM in boiler choice time

In your original post you stated that a heat loss calc gave you 138,000. Was one done?

I misread earlier. I thought that he said he had a Texaco burner. Most of those that I see are on coal conversions. My mistake Robert. I can safely say that I have never seen a Dunkirk installed in my coverage area.

What is the OP's location?

Peerless Cast 92-2/4

@ March 11, 2012 5:41 PM in Peerless Cast 92-2/4

Just wondering if anyone has installed any. They appear to be the same as the Hydrotherm KN series and the Ray. i am looking for a modulating boiler for high temp designed light commercial retrofit applications.

I am seeing some ugly things on some older Elite's and Knight's that were run at the higher end of the temperature band for extended periods of time.

Input is appreciated.

Not that high.

@ March 11, 2012 5:00 PM in boiler choice time

Robert, I frequently have heat loss calcs reveal 42-43 btu/sq ft on old houses up here. With an old Texaco Chief, I would fair to guess that the house is at least 100 yrs old.

I don't think that his heat loss is that high if he is in an area with a -6 to -10 design temp.

Ditto

@ March 10, 2012 9:39 PM in Time spent on Mod/Con maintenance

I usually allow 2 1/2 to 3 hrs for an annual service. That also depends on how long it has been between services. I had a guy open a Giononni the other day that looked pretty bad. He had 4 hrs on it and he is a quality tech.

Kennebec County

@ March 10, 2012 5:15 PM in new home in Northeast...radiant heat solution?

NRT_Rob is right in your area and is one of the best at radiant applications. I suggest you take advantage of having this asset in your area.

What area of Maine?

@ March 10, 2012 7:10 AM in new home in Northeast...radiant heat solution?

There are several of us on here from all across the state. If we don't cover your area, we all know someone that can.

I would start by finding a competent contractor in your area and let him make some suggestions. He can walk you through the process. The sooner you bring your building team together, the better the end result.

Beautiful old Snowman.

@ February 11, 2012 9:11 PM in old timken burners

Thanks for the pictures.

The difference is usage.

@ February 11, 2012 7:56 AM in Boiler ? Water heater?

A boiler is a central heating appliance used to heat water to heat a home, business, or for industrial processes. It can heat the water to any temperature desired and to steam as well. The water inside a boiler is considered non-potable (not safe for drinking.)

A water heater is used for heating domestic, potable water (safe for drinking). A water heater's maximum temperature is normally 150 deg F +/-.

The most substantial difference is the water itself. But the safety and operating controls are also different. Water heaters can be indirect as well. Meaning that they receive their heat from another source (most often a boiler.)

Water heaters should not be used as a central heating appliance. They are not approved as such and do not utilize the appropriate safety and operating controls.

Good Question.

I completely agree Jack.

@ February 10, 2012 5:53 PM in Failed Furnace installer blames propane supply

I get extremely nervous when I have to convert a large btu boiler. 400Kbtu and up.

Why can't we get this stuff already converted? Why do I have to risk my license doing it?

Simple. They don't care about us anymore. Isn't it easier for them to do it in the factory than for me to do it in some dark dank basement at 9pm after a stupid long week in the middle of heating season?

Oh well. Sorry for the rant.

They didn't convert it.

@ February 10, 2012 4:50 PM in Failed Furnace installer blames propane supply

As my good friend Icesailor said earlier, they didn't convert it properly.

I made the same mistake late one night. I had converted more boilers and furnaces than i care to count, but that night it was late and I was tired. I removed the Natural Gas orifice and went to put in the LP orifice. I mistakenly put the natural orifice back in the appliance. It ran and I did a quickie combustion test and adjustment and then went home. Mostly because I was coming back the next day to finish up and adjust.

When I got home, I emptied my pockets to find the LP orifice in there. Oh Sh--!

I went back over that night and corrected my mistake. Hey it happens. The relative difference in Natural Gas and LP orifices is the same as a VW bug and a Large Pickup truck. The natural will let a whole lot of gas through.

I would bet money that is what happened.

The thing that bothers me is that they are hiding it by not showing you the orifice and limit.

Thanks Bob.

@ February 6, 2012 9:04 PM in Navien Combi Boiler

I appreciate the report.

We did one once.

@ February 5, 2012 1:43 PM in Buderus 215...conversion

Converted from the Riello F to a Riello Power Gas burner setup for LP. No problems that I have heard of. Talk to Buderus for the proper Gas Power Burner and they will send you the combustion info. As usual, wouldn't even attempt it without a Digital CA.

Good Luck.