Long term damage?

Patrick_North

Among other problems, we've had issues with the Carlin EZ power burner on our newly installed Smith G-8 steamer.

Initially, the burner would lock itself out regularly. After some help from you all, it became clear that the installer never really set up the burner. A (pretty green) after-hours tech adjusted the shutter from the default 100% open setting to 45% in defference to the install manual. At least it no longer blew itself out on start up. Based on input from this site, I was guessing it should be more like 85%. A couple of days later he returned with testing equipment and reset the shutter at 85%. (An aside- you know you're in trouble when folks on the Wall make better GUESSES than the guy actually dealing with your system in person. But I digress.) Days go by- the burner is still locking out. More after hours calls (unanswered- "must be my pager on the fritz") and more tweaks- a new shutter and (not sure) maybe new tube/nozzle. Turns out I was generating 300,000+ BTU when the boiler was rated for about 200,000 (5 section). So for a couple of weeks this puppy was pretty dramatically (well, to me) overfired.

My question is- other than lost efficiency during this period, did this do any damage to the boiler?

Oh, and the installer is not expecting payment until we manage to get through one week without some installation boner turning up.

Thanks,

Patrick

Jamie Hall

Shouldn't have

done any long term damage, although one might want to take a quick peak at the refractory at the back of the fire box, if the flame was impinging on it.  Doubt that there was a problem though.



Sounds as though your techs are trying to get it right, anyway -- which is a step in the right direction.

Unknown

Steamhead is the one to ask

Steamhead is probably the one you want to ask about Smith boilers. The only thing I know about them is they have HEAVY casings. Being that they are so robust probably makes your situation okay.  - Rod

Steamhead

Thanks, Rod

and Pat, you should be OK since it wasn't doing this very long. But it wouldn't hurt to open the front of the boiler and check the refractory to be sure.



And I bet it's quieter now, too.

Patrick_North

Quieter?

Oh, I'd say we went from "is there a subway line running under your house?" to purring like a tiger.

Thanks for the reassurance!

Patrick