Looking for a Columbia Boiler manual..

STEVEusaPA

I posted this on the other sites...

Was wondering if anyone had a boiler manual for a.....get this...Columbia FT 30, with a Columbia burner on it.  Yes it belongs in the scrap heap, but in the real world (the real broke world), I would like to get this to run as best as I can.  Basically looking for some original specs, and then I'll go from there.  Called Columbia, they offered their condolences :).  Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

Steve

billtwocase

Steve

Does the burner resemble a Nuway, and the boiler is round steel? 

STEVEusaPA

yes....

You are correct sir........The burner doesnt appear to have an air gate, just oval holes completely around the housing that look like a Beckett universal mounting flange.  The basic problem is it has way too much excess air 143%, causing low CO2 (6.6), and high CO in the flue pipe (no CO outside the boiler).  It probably has been running like this for years, and I'm the first knucklehead who spent some time with it.....lol

billtwocase

I haven't had one for years

but, make sure all the baffles are there to start with.Usually more than 1/2 of them ended up behind the boiler, or burnt up in the chamber.  I would also check the chamber, for I think these were dry base. Bear with me, for it's been a good 20 years since I had one in  my customer base. These things had a 7 or 8" flue collector, I think. What is your draft over fire? What nozzle size, spec, is in it now? Seems to me that they ran OK with a 70-80 degree solid nozzle. The burners were terrible. A Beckett would buy it some time.  I think the air adjustment is like a thumb nut and lever on the left side? I can look for more info. I'll get you what I can, and you are welcome to it. The flue collector is a chore to seal if using cement. I think there was a square notch out in the collector where the supply piping passes thru. I would drop the nozzle size, and boost the pump pressure to 120 LBS to start. 

billtwocase

and kudos

to you Steve for wanting to do it right, and for considering the homeowners financial status. Not many do

STEVEusaPA

Thanks for your responses, and encouragement

Was just looking for some guidance, maybe someone remembers this boiler? I've only been in this game for about 20 years, and its the first I ever seen.

There is a thumb nut. The only usable info on the plate is 1.25 gph. I'm going set some (some? lol) time aside and figure it out.

Thanks

Steamhead

I tried to get one of those to run properly once

then gave up and put a Beckett AF on it. Billtwocase is right, those burners never should have seen the light of day.



If their financial situation is that bad, maybe Oil Heat Cares could get involved?

STEVEusaPA

Thanks for the info..

Thanks for the info & help, Bill and Steamhead.  This is more for my curiousity. I just want to try everything possible, and to be armed with some knowledge for some people more experienced.  I'll take the time to get it to run the best its capable of.  If it's a goner, its a goner.

It's actually heating the original portion of a mechanics garage.  The rest is heated with more modern equipment.  But he's a real good hard working dude, so I'm gonna give it a go.

Thanks again

Steve