Repurposed WInchester solid fuel boiler...

Mark Eatherton

If you strip (paid for abatementin this case) the insulation off, and clean it up real good, you can repaint it, connect it to your hydronic heating system, attach a non electric TRV and have an excellent conversation piece that heats your whole open basement very well. This work was done by a single, very determined woman in an 1890's home in Denver.

Thanks for sharing the picture Jim Bob :-)

wogpa67

I tried to get one off of an older woman in Philly about 10 years ago. It was still hooked up but not functioning. She wouldn't part with it.
It was gas fired though.

Mark Eatherton

This was a solid fuel converted to gas as well. These boilers are wider than any normal door, and were placed before the floor joist were set. Virtually impossible to get out of the home without completely breaking into small enough pieces that will fit through the door.

wogpa67

This one was only around 24" wide. If I ever go back I'm going to try and get it again. I would love to have it.

nicholas bonham-carter

I have something similar-an Idearl, and it is assembled from horizontal sections, each of which, I am sure, was lugged down the stairway as the building was built, at the later stages of completion.
I think the contractors at that time would have chosen a boiler, (for payment/time reasons) whose sections could fit into the entrances of the building, and be assembled at the time of need.--NBC

clammy

Pretty cool i have also seem this done only difference is that it was still hooked to a chimney and drafting and also would not part w it.On the other hand i have had to break them down and that top section is a total bear we ended up rolling up planks to get it out .It was quite a job and never forgetten .Thanks for sharing peace and good luckl clammy

KC_Jones

Question, could duct work be hooked up to the old chimney connection and a blower or even just a simple fan installed and distribute the heat even further? Just a thought. That is a very cool errr warm idea!

Mark Eatherton

It could be, but then it would be a convective heater and not a radiant heater as it is now. It would also be a lot noisier.

ME

KC_Jones

Mark Eatherton said:

It could be, but then it would be a convective heater and not a radiant heater as it is now. It would also be a lot noisier.

ME

lol I didn't say it was a good idea, was just curious. Actually what made me think about it was the Heatilator fireplace my parents have in their basement that uses fans to pump air around the firebox.

RobG

KC_Jones said:

Mark Eatherton said:

It could be, but then it would be a convective heater and not a radiant heater as it is now. It would also be a lot noisier.

ME

lol I didn't say it was a good idea, was just curious. Actually what made me think about it was the Heatilator fireplace my parents have in their basement that uses fans to pump air around the firebox.

And would YOU want to be responsible for the 100 years of soot that would be swirled about?

KC_Jones

Well I would hope as nicely cleaned up as it is they cleaned the inside as well...if it was my house I would have. I would have probably painted the inside of it as well...but I am a bit obsessive like that. If you didn't notice I had custom flame job put on the front cover of my boiler. It also has rope lighting running around the inside of the front. Makes it nice to see in there as well. lol

vaporvac

I need to see a pic of that rope lighting, @KC_Jones !

ChrisJ

vaporvac said:

I need to see a pic of that rope lighting, @KC_Jones !

No you don't.
Don't get him started.

vaporvac

I know! I'm a bit jealous of that paint job as only my controls are really visible. There's no place for me to have that , but rope lighting I could do!

Fred

Oooh my God, people

KC_Jones

ChrisJ said:

vaporvac said:

I need to see a pic of that rope lighting, @KC_Jones !

No you don't.
Don't get him started.

Should we talk about pressure instead @ChrisJ ?

ChrisJ

KC_Jones said:

ChrisJ said:

vaporvac said:

I need to see a pic of that rope lighting, @KC_Jones !

No you don't.
Don't get him started.

Should we talk about pressure instead @ChrisJ ?

I'd love to!

ChrisJ

vaporvac said:

I know! I'm a bit jealous of that paint job as only my controls are really visible. There's no place for me to have that , but rope lighting I could do!

If I had two boilers I would install a zero center Magnehelic connected to both so it would show the pressure difference between the two. Mount that bad boy right by the thermostat.

Fred

KC_Jones said:

ChrisJ said:

vaporvac said:

I need to see a pic of that rope lighting, @KC_Jones !

No you don't.
Don't get him started.

Should we talk about pressure instead @ChrisJ ?

What Pressure?

Fred

Just Kidding @Chrisj

NYplumber

Thanks for the photo Mark. Talk about buffer capacity! Throw that on the return loop of a condensing boiler for extra condensate.

Moe

Mark Eatherton

It is on a condenser. Thanks Moe. She originally wanted the boiler out of her basement, but I talked her into salvaging it. She eventually will put a flickering red/orange light inside the combustion chamber to make it look like there's a fire inside. Craft woman. Did most of the work herself, including wrestling cast iron radiators up 2 floors.

NYplumber

Mark, if she ever wants it gone in one piece I would swing by and take it off her hands. Those old guys are hard to come by. I had a downfired steam snowman boiler in my home I rented two years back. System drank $500 a week in oil. It would be nice to get back at the old beast by hooking her up to my current hydronic system.