mounting Beckett AFG on old boiler

ChrisJ

OK so my neighbor has an old american radiator boiler which was converted from coal to oil at some point.



It has a Beckett burner which looks similar to the one shown in this picture from the heatinghelp facebook page



<a href="http://hphotos-iad1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320211_281552718532297_151284848225752_923039_314702856_n.jpg">http://hphotos-iad1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320211_281552718532297_151284848225752_923039_314702856_n.jpg</a>



We would like to mount an AFG burner from my old Burnham V83 on it if possible.  If I recall it has an L2 head.



What is the easiest way to go about this, or does it not make any sense.  He wants it because it seems quite a bit more reliable and quieter than his current one.

Steamhead

What model Beckett is on there now?

If it's a model AF or SR, he isn't going to do any better. In fact, he might do worse- the AFG has enough static air pressure capability that it might blow the flame right off the head in a boiler like that. Ask me how I know that ;-)



That looks like an old round boiler, which we call a "Snowman". Those things waste a lot of heat up the chimney- one of my Dead Men's Books says they don't do better than about 40% over-all efficiency on oil. If your friend's boiler is of this type, he really should have it replaced.

ChrisJ

No snowman

His boiler is more of a huge rectangular box and the vent comes out of the back.  I meant the burner was mounted and adapted the same way as the one in that picture.



I'll try to get some pics later on in the week as well as more info on the burner.



It doesn't make sense to me, but he insists the ignitor is four electrodes not just two. Does such a thing exist?

billtwocase

that is possible

to have 4 ignitors, but that would be a commercial burner like an old Sunray or something. AFG is only good to 3 GPH. Get us some pics of it, and some other specs like input/output of the boiler.It has been too long of a day, so I read what you have for a boiler after the fact. You have a Burnham V83, and you want to put an AFG on it. Are you having problems with the Beckett that is on it now? I know they are loud and noisy with the L/V heads, and a standard AFG with an F head is a better combo. Am I understanding you right?

ChrisJ

No sir

I use to have a Burnham V83. It ended up with a rotted block so I'm installing a new gas boiler in my own place.



My neighbor has the 60+ year old american radiator boiler which we want to install the AFG which came from my Burnham.



I'll get pics and specs as soon as I can.

R Mannino

Like This?

It's still old and should be done away with.

ChrisJ

No

Much older looking than that and its a steam boiler.  It has a interesting huge gauge on the front and some kind of counter-weighted pressure release.  If I remember clearly it has a total of 4 doors.  Two large ones and two smaller ones side by side near the top.

Either way, doing away with it isn't possible.  The money simply isnt there right now.

Ed N.Y.C.

Beckett

Before you do any thing find ouy how long the blast tube is. I will bet its about 14"   Your 4 electrodes is/are to insulate the buss bars There are two on each line only so buss bars are straight and insulated I don't think you can get a tube that long for burner unless you are willing to switch to "F' head. ED N.Y.C.

billtwocase

Ed just jogged my memory

9" and above blast tube lengths had an extra set of porcelains that the buss bars ran thru. Most common lengths are 7 1/4 down, and I think 9 or 11 inch up is the extra set of porcelains. Thanks Ed. Gotta jog this old mind once in a while

Ed N.Y.C.

Beckett

Bill you can't be that old ? December I hit 66  ED N.Y.C.

billtwocase

I'm catching up to you Ed

You got a few on me my friend. I think seasoned is a better choice of words

ChrisJ

Interesting

Well so far it sounds like no one is really against the old burner in general.



If its a good unit there is one main problem my neighbor has with it. Occasionally it fails to light and a service guy has to come out to adjust the electrodes. This was never a problem with my AFG.



Is this a known issue with the longer tubes?

Steamhead

Nope

it means the service guys haven't found the real problem.



Did you get the model of the Beckett he has yet?

ChrisJ

no

I haven't seen him yet. We usually hang out Friday night though so hopefully tomorrow.

ChrisJ

Carlin 100?

Apparently this is NOT a Beckett Burner.  There is a Beckett cover ontop yet the burner says Carlin 100 CR0 or CRD on it.  Hard to make out the last letter / number.



Its sad it took me this long to get the info on the burner, just been so busy.

Steamhead

It's a 100CRD

which is a good choice for that boiler. Your Beckett would not work any better. The "cover" is actually the ignitor- Beckett does make an ignitor to fit that Carlin, and vice-versa.



Check to see if the flue passages have baffles or bricks in them. If not, have that done and it will run much more efficiently.This should be done by a knowledgeable pro as part of a proper servicing.

ChrisJ

servicing

Hi Steamhead,



I'll let him know tonight when we go over there.  Is there a way to find a known good oil guy that can do this?  We are in north western NJ, Warren county.



Do you think a pro could adapt a Carlin power burner to this boiler?  It would be great if it could burn NG instead of oil.  Then maybe later down the road when things are doing better he could just buy a wet based boiler and switch the power burner over to it.



Thanks for helping,  I appreciate it as does my neighbor.

billtwocase

gas conversion power burner

Personally I would not recommend this be done on that boiler. It may never shut off. If conversion is in the near future, do it ground up. I would baffle the passage, make sure it is clean to start with, make sure there is no positive draft over fire after baffling, and leave it go for now. As Frank said, the Carlin is now doing  what the Beckett would. I personally prefer Beckett on old boilers like these, Arcoliner, National, Crane, etc., but no problem with the Carlin. It does need someone who knows how to set up a Carlin, and more important is locating the Hago nozzle for it. They ran peak with Hago, as that is also what the called for. What nozzle is in there? I would be running around a 1.10 Gph, and definitely a 60*SS Hago.

billtwocase

also

You asked about someone in that area? Click on find a contractor above. If they are here, they have knowledge. A couple of things I see is the need to upgrade the cad cell relay, and remove the resistor from the DOV. That is also something that puts it out.