Different nozzle GPH than spec..is it OK?

BinDerSmokDat

I'm running a Weil-McLain Gold WTGO circa 1997-98 with Beckett AFG Burner running a Delavan 1.0gph 80deg B nozzle.

I just checked the plate on the burner and it specs a 1.25gph 80deg B nozzle. Burner is rated for 0.85-1.35gph fire rating.
The current service ticket, older tickets going back to 2007 and an old nozzle I replaced are all 1.0gph 80deg B.

Is this common? Was the nozzle downrated to get good performance/burner times?

STEVEusaPA

Depends on the pump pressure. Common practice is to lower nozzle rate and increase pump pressure. But these are based on charts, and setting up draft, smoke & combustion with the proper tools and methods.
Based on your other threads, I really don't think it's a good idea for you to keep monkeying with your burner.
This is HeatingHelp, not HeatingHelpYouBurnYourHouseDown, or HeatingHelpYouMakeAMess.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Boilers don't always have to operate at their maximum input. Reducing the flame size may increase efficiency........pump pressure also needs to be known to determine the actual firing rate and the burner must be adjusted with combustion test instruments as @STEVEusaPA mentioned

HVACNUT

WTGO-?
The burner might be rated for .85 to 1.35 GPH, but not the boiler. An OEM spec'd Beckett AFG is specific to the boiler. For instance, WGO-3 is rated for .95 GPH. The WGO-4 is rated for 1.25 GPH.
There is no WM GO boiler that accepts such a wide range of firing rates.

Steamhead

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

......... the burner must be adjusted with combustion test instruments as @STEVEusaPA mentioned

THIS!

BinDerSmokDat

So it's a WTGO-4. I know the burner is separate from the boiler, hence why I said the burner plate spec'd 0.85-1.35. I didn't have the WM boiler specs in front of me at that moment.

Also, I'm only asking if it's common, not planning to change anything. Thanks to those that explained why it may be different.

As for burning down my house or making a mess, all I did was change a filter, the strainer and put in a fresh nozzle. Am I dialed in for peak efficiency? Probably not. But hardly reckless behavior.

STEVEusaPA

Says you.

EdTheHeaterMan

Weil McLain has a version WTGO-4R listed. Basically it is the same boiler with a smaller firing rate. So, if Weil McLain says it is OK to reduce the firing rate, Then I believe the nozzle can be reduced. That said... .85 nozzle at 140 PSI will yield you about 1GPH firing rate, with better combustion results! Important to have proper draft, Smoke of #0 and at least a 10% CO2 (but you will get higher CO2 than that). Without a combustion analyzer or "old school" Firite CO2 indicator, you can't do that yourself.
In reference to Teflon tape...
Fuel oil lines and teflon tape is a NO NO ! ! ! This is from the Suntec instruction sheet:
"GENERAL INFORMATION • ALL SYSTEMS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Long or oversized inlet lines may require the pump to operate dry during initial bleeding period. In such cases, the priming may be assisted by injecting fuel oil into the pump gearset. Under lift conditions, oil lines and fittings must be air tight. To assure this, “pipe dope” may be applied to both the used and unused inlet and both return fittings. DO NOT USE TEFLON TAPE!! DO NOT USE COMPRESSION FITTINGS!!"
I added this to your previous post... but I thought you might not see it there.

EdTheHeaterMan

Follow up:
Firing rate... I GPH @ 100PSI or .85GPH @ 140PSI gives you 140,000BTU input. Do you have enough domestic hot water? your system may be oversized to accomodate the DHW load