Any Experiences with Smith 19A or Peerless CC boilers for steam

The Steam Whisperer

It looks like these units have nice 6 inch wide sections. However, tappings are only 3 inch and the recommended piping sizes are quite small ie. only single riser and 3 inch header for up to 575,000 input, 2-3 inch risers and 4 inch header to 1,754,000 input. They are are rated slightly more efficient than competing models... just barely making it into the requirements of our local energy efficiency programs. I've been using the WM 80 series and was wondering how these compare

Noel

I had almost exclusively Smith (28A and 19A) boilers at the college. Only problems I encountered was the gaskets between the sections, and that was on the 28A models. This was in the 90s, so they might have solved that issue. They were trying graphite seals at the time. I liked the 19A boiler on steam.
Noel

Steamhead

The Smith 19 series- now called 19HE- seems to do well. But we have a 28A in a huge apartment complex that has had recurring seal problems. We've corrected some major burner setup problems (example- flame was concentrated in the front 1/3 of this 11-section boiler, and of course that's where the seals were leaking) and so far it's doing OK, but you never know. I'd steer clear of the current 28HE series for this reason.

The Peerless CC appears to be an evolution of the SC series. Haven't seen too many of these but the ones I have seen haven't been troublesome.

Henry

Most seal problems on the 28 series are caused by incorrect installation or chemicals. BTW the chemical guys are my best heating boiler sales people! Quite often the installer does not follow instructions of the near boiler piping. The header construction requirement must be followed. If not the outlet piping can pull the sections apart Also, there is a very specific assembly procedure and torqueing of each section. We assemble Smith boilers for some contactors. But sometimes they don't follow the piping instructions.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Don't know about the Peerless.

The Smith 19 is solid as far as I know.

Some have issues with the 28s. The first 28 I saw was installed in 1977 so they have been around for a while. The older ones never seemed to have issues if correctly installed.

A few years back they switched gaskets from rubber to graphite. (not sure if this is just the steam boilers or water as well) The graphite gaskets are thicker so if you re-gasket a rubber one with graphite the boiler will "grow" enough to require piping changes especially if it is a long boiler.

I have not seen as many of the newer 28s so I won't comment other than to say they don't seem to hold up as good as the older boilers

The Steam Whisperer

The Peerless CC looks like the Smith 19 just rebadged.

Steamhead

Might be. The current Smith 8 series is just a rebadged Peerless WBV.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I know Smith doesn't manufacture Cast Iron in Westfield anymore and hasn't for a very long time.

I think the Peerless and Smith sections come out of the same Boyertown factory

newagedawn

peerless are the best steamers out there, and still made in america!!!!!!!!!!!

EBEBRATT-Ed

@newagedawn Have you ever had any issues with the LWCO location Peerless uses on that boiler? I agree I like Peerless as well.

newagedawn

no issues at all, works like a champ, everyone says that about peerless lwco,lol

The Steam Whisperer

When I had M& M LWCO's on those EC and SC's there was alot of trouble, but with the HydroIevel the EC's were good. The factory actually warns against using the M&M LwCo's because they had also seen unstable operation of the M&M LwCo. I think the SC's are simply pushing the limits of the boiler water content and steam chest volume. Unless the system is really clean they tend to act up. Also, the round plate gaskets on these and the LC we have installed leaked within 2 to 3 years. The gaskets are rock hard when we removed them. We've switched to the WM 80 series for boilers in the SC capacity.....they work very nicely, even with dirty systems. I'd much rather have the machined push nipples of the Peerless than plastic gaskets on Weils for the section seals, but sometimes there isn't any alternative.....Burnham is almost non-existant in Chicago for power burners steamers.

Dave in QCA

@The Steam Whisperer . I am very happy with my WM680 installation that has been running now for 5 years. Only issue I have had is with a Honeywell hydro motor gas valve. Riello 2-stage burner has been great too.

New England SteamWorks

I am a big fan of the Weil 80 series as well, for what it's worth.

Henry

We assemble Smith 28A and 19 for a number of contractors. The graphite gaskets are great for steam. There are two main causes for any failure: improper near boiler piping and unnecessary chemical treatment.

The Steam Whisperer

Graphite gaskets sure do seem to make a lot more sense than plastic gaskets. The long term drying out of the plastic seals will probably get just about any boiler....especially steam. As some have said, I think there were some issues with the graphite seals early on, but I haven't heard that anymore.