Smith 8HE Boiler w/ Vaughn TOPP Indirect

Jas13288

Hi all,

I am having my boiler replaced at the end of the month. I decided to go with a Smith 8HE Water Boiler with Carlin Oil Burner. I'm doing a Vaughn 50 gallon indirect hot water heater.

I did a bunch of research and talked to quite a few different oil companies before making my decision but I didn't happen to stumble upon this website until now. With that being said, I was hoping I could get some opinions on the system I decided to go with (think of it as my last and final bit of research before I write the check). Just trying to make sure I made a good choice and get some feedback on current line of Smith boilers.

As a side note, part of the reason I went with the Smith boiler was the fact that I am replacing a 35 year old HB Smith which is currently running with no problems. I figured if history would repeat itself I should be good.

Thanks!

Steamhead

That Smith is a re-branded Peerless WBV. Not a bad unit.

But with that said, it's still a pin-type boiler in which the vertical flue passages from the firebox to the smoke outlet have many little pins which absorb the heat. These can be very difficult to clean, and if left dirty the boiler will not run efficiently.

I would go with a three-pass design, as made by Biasi (which includes the Trio, Excelsior, Solaia and others), Buderus, Burnham (MPO), Slant/Fin (Eutectic), Weil-McLain (Ultra Oil) etc. These are much easier to keep clean.

OK, a modern oil burner should not generate any smoke or soot, but why not give yourself every advantage?

SWEI

Crown sells the MPO under the FWZ moniker.

The Crown TWZ would be another option (based on a Viessmann casting from what I have been told.)

Solid_Fuel_Man

Check the track record of the Vaughan I directs in your area. The stone lined tanks can hold up well in certain water conditions, and fail quickly in others. Sometimes a stainless indirect will last longer if you have low chloride, and other times a lined steel will be the winner.

TS