Burnham V11 Steamer

RobbieDo

I have a customer ( church) that has a Burnham V11 steam boiler. I did not install this system, I have done a lot of work on replacing old pipes in the floor, replacing radiators, traps, taken radiators off of the ceiling as the ceiling was rotten and so on. They have another company do the service on the boiler it self, the reason the other company does it is because they have told the customer the manufacturer will not warranty it if they don't do the service. I know that isn't true, any HVAC contractor can do the service and Burnham will warranty it. My question is, they have the system zoned into 6 small zones. The boiler short cycles, it doesn't heat some of the smaller areas that are zoned that well. If it was me I would have installed several smaller steamers instead of zoning. What do you guys think of zoning a steamer of this size? I know that there not doing the proper service annually on it but that's another issue. Thank you .

Steamhead

Not the greatest setup

which burner is on it? Is it wired up for low-high-low firing? 

nicholas bonham-carter

an impossible situation

it must be difficult to be the "relief hitter" in this game. if something goes wrong who would get the blame?

can you get a letter from burnham showing that your service will not void the warranty [as if it were the result of some sort of exam you have passed]? how old is this boiler?

as it is another mechanical part to malfunction, the zone valve could be replaced by trvs, or at least exercised more regularly to keep them working. the church might be saving very little by zoning, and should have all service done by one person.--nbc

RobbieDo

Zoning

It is setup with low-high fire. Outdoor control if it gets above 65 outside the steamer shuts down. As far as the head, I don't remember? Was there the other day to work on some traps and condensate return pumps. As I said I really don't work on the boiler, the other contractor has them believing that they need to service it for the warranty to be valid. I have spoke with Burnham and they said it doesn't matter who services it. The issue is, it's zoned, it short cycles, it's only 6 yrs old. I have suggested other options for them but, they have only had it in service 6 yrs.

Steamhead

Depending on how low

the low fire can safely go, you may be able to get around some of the short-cycling. But it would have to be set up with a digital analyzer to make sure the stack temp doesn't drop too low.

RobbieDo

Digital Analyzer

I have a digital analyzer to set it up. I know that the other company doesn't. They have not taken the LWCO apart in at least 4 yrs, have the low pressure switch for the gas jumped out, and there are more issues. I just feel bad that the other company isn't doing what the boiler needs and there not doing the service to the church. I will be up there next week as it's about 75 miles from my shop, I will discuss more options with them.