Burnham V-14A-T

smp74

Hi All. I've been searching around for a manual for a Burnham V-14A-T and came up empty so far. Any suggestions on where / if I could still find one?



That aside, I was looking for the proper settings for the AFG burner for this boiler. Nozzle size / angle / pattern, retention head type / setting, pump pressure, etc.



Cheers.

Steamhead

From the Beckett OEM guide

we get the following for the V-14:



F3 head

3-3/8" diameter static plate

1.00x80°B Delavan nozzle

Pump pressure 100 PSI

Initial settings: Band 0, shutter 7



Nowadays we prefer higher pump pressures for better atomization. So I'd use a 0.85x80°B at 140 PSI which would give the same firing rate of 1.00 GPH.



If the boiler will be kept in service for a while (like my own V-14), it would be well to upgrade to an electronic primary control and a valve-on delay setup. This will clean up the starts and stops, which are the dirtiest parts of an oil burner's cycle. The boiler will run more efficiently if it stays cleaner.

smp74

nice donut

Thanks a bunch for the burner info. Hope to get this thing running smoother.



I definitely like the suggestion of the electronic primary and delay valve setup. Got those installed on my own boiler along with a tigerloop and what a difference. Clean and quiet.



Had a look at the inside of the V-14 with a mirror. Was just cleaned and tuned 2 months ago by service co. Looks like a nice carbon donut forming on the center of the head, electrodes carboned up, nozzle black and wet. Having a slight delayed ignition issue. Looks like air band is 3 and shutter is 7. Seems like a lot of air for 1 GPH. Didn't take apart to check nozzle specs.



Another interesting part of this is the indirect DHW (tankless coil abandoned). It's got an R8182 with a zone valve system and a the zone circ run by the R8182. The DHW circ is controlled by a SR501, yet there is no connection to the aquastat ZR/ZC. The indirect DHW just runs off of the low limit unless there happens to be a heat call at the same time. To provide enough heat for DHW, the low limit is set up to 160 with 15 diff and high limit is 180. Helps explain why it takes so long to recover the DHW in the summer time. How's that setup sound?

Steamhead

If you're going to ditch the R8182

then you'd need a zone valve controller which would operate the ZVs and start the main circ when needed (this could be as simple as a "fan center relay"), and wire the dry contacts on the SR501 to start the burner when the tank calls. You'd also need to install an aquastat in series with the burner power, since the R8182 includes the high-limit function.

smp74

zone

It would be nice to clean up the wiring and controls and burner operation, but..... Owner says something like "well, it turns on and makes fire, so it's fine and I'l be down south in a week so I won't smell the soot in the house from down there" Well, what do ya say to that???

Steamhead

Have him sign a release

that way you have some protection if he refuses to have it fixed and it soots up the house, or worse. Remember you were the last to touch it.