Conversion burner- which would you go with?

Joseph_4

I'm looking to install a conversion burner in my own house. My choice of burners is either a Carlin Ez gas or a Midco EC-200. Does anyone have any experience with which is more reliable and which is easier to service-

thanks

Joe

Al Letellier_21

conversion burners

OF the two you mention, I would go with the Carlin, but all the conversions I"ve done in the past have been Reillo....great burner....Make sure your boiler manufacturer OKs the conversion. Burnham is one of the few that says no way, so check first.

Steamhead

I've used both

with no problems. The Carlin has the option of ducting outside air to it, using the optional acoustic cover- I don't think Midco offers something similar though.



What boiler are you going to use it with?

Joseph_4

boiler is an old peerless

my boiler is an old peerless jot175w

Robert O'Brien

I'll assume you mean Nat Grid?

Since those are the burners Nat Grid is subsidizing. I'd take them up on the Burnham ES2 deal. That JOT is 25 years old or more and probably way oversized

Steamhead

I think I remember this

from an earlier thread- didn't we determine your boiler was oversized? 

Joseph_4

oversized.boiler and dollars out of my pocket?

I appreciate both you- Frank and Robert for taking the time to look at my question and taking time to share your knowledge. I have no question that you both know tons more than me. However, after my doing a lot of research for what is best for me, I've determined I'll save the most by changing my burner alone. And here is why: I'm doing the install myself, but even so. to match what I have right now if I change the boiler and put an indirect and argo control, material after tax will cost me at least $2650 and it will take a full day probably 2 for the install which is also money out of my pocket, cause I wont be servicing someone else or doing their install. The carlin burner will cost me $650 and take me half a day with proper combustion testing and fine tuning to install. I know- its not as efficient. but to make up that definite $2000 out of pocket expense( difference in cost to change boiler and indirect), even if it %10 less efficient, will take 10 years to make up. That why I've decided to go with the burner change alone. And yes -I realize my boiler is 25 years old. If she goes it 2 years, I sell the burner on ebay for 450 and Then spend the money to change my boiler. I'm interested to hear what you guys think. But dollars and cents, I feel my approach makes the most sense.

Thanks

Joe

lchmb

depends

In my area would be the Carlin, just because that's what we have parts available for and have experience on. I would check to see what is the most widely used and what the people who service your unit are familiar with. Dont forget to have a chimney inspection done, to include a lining if necessary and a double swing barometric damper with roll out safety added. You may also want to check with your local authority to see if they have other requirements in this conversion...

wholesalerbill

...

You said an old JOT model. How old is it? Might be worth it to install a new boiler. You void warranties when you make a change like this. Also alot of inspectors will require you to get a letter from the manufacturer stating it's o.k. to make the conversion. Peerless will not write that letter.

Steamhead

If it's old enough to be a JOT

it's almost certainly out of warranty. So that wouldn't be an issue.



Carlin markets EZ-Gas air tube/flange assemblies for a surprising number of older boilers. I recently got one for an American-Standard A-3! And the EZ-Gas is listed as a conversion burner, not just as an OEM unit. So if the burner is listed and marketed this way, especially if it has a model-specific air tube/flange, that should satisfy the Code authorities.



Think about it. How many older boilers do we see with upgraded oil burners? This is pretty much the same thing.

Greg Maxwell

Conversion Burners

I an in agreement that Carlin would be your better choice. I chuckle every time I hear that Burnham doesnt allow Carlin on their boiler. Exactly what would happen if you put one on? Does the boiler know the difference between an oil burner at a given input, and a gas boiler of like input? I would be curious to hear some opinions on this.