wet base gas, factory versus conversion

Steamhead (in transit)

a 5-section G-8 and a 3-section. Pipe them up as shown on page 67 of Lost Art, and you should be fine. Install a Vaporstat on the main header that the boilers feed into, and wire it to shut off the 3-section boiler at a pressure of 2-3 ounces, at which point the pick-up factor has been satisfied and the 5-section can keep the system full of steam until the call for heat is satisfied.

At the moment, this is the state of the art for gas-fired residential steam.

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steve_173

Am I better off going with a factory option like the Smith G-8 or using any oil boiler and putting my own burner on it? Some manufacturers won't void the warranty other will. There is no way to know exactly what it is you get in terms of efficiency when you do it yourself.

If I go with Smith, I need two which some plumbers are saying is not good. They claim single pipe steam will have problems with multiple boilers going into one header.

Steamhead (in transit)

How much

radiation do you have?

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steve_173

single pipe steam, about 750 sq ft. Thanks.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Do what steamhead says, but the guy that pipes it has to know what he is doing.

ED

steve_173

Thanks, this is what I planned to do. I'm having a lot of trouble finding a plumber willing and able to do this job.

I gather that such a system will be perfectly sized despite having slightly excess sq ft steam capacity because the smaller boiler will shut of based upon the pressure.

Would you recommend a separate gas hat water heater or an indirect? Should I use the indirect on the 5 section or 3 section?

Does page 67 in Lost Art deal with the header? Should one use a dropped header in such a configuration?

If one boiler ever failed and was no longer available would I have to change both out so the water lines would match?

Ted Robinson

More on two boilers

For a one pipe system, is it workable to keep my older oil boiler and add a 'G-8 gas fired unit connected to the same steam main trunks? Then I could, in theory, use the best value fuel for that particular season?

steve_173

I'm no expert, but

While you could add a second boiler and use one or the other, I would imagine a dual fuel burner, say from Riello would be cheaper. Even though these burners are costly, it is far less costly than a second boiler. If your boiler works well, this seems the way to go to me.