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Burnham Megasteam 513

Dave0176
Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
edited November 2020 in Strictly Steam
Did a repipe job today on a Burnham Megasteam 513, boiler is oversized by a bit, but the puny copper no header wasn’t helping matters. I had added main venting at all main ends which helped immensely and now it was time for a serious 4” header. All mains and returns were repitched to aid in return.








DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
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I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
STEVEusaPAethicalpaulTinman

Comments

  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,422
    That definitely looked like fun
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,462
    Carlin conversion burner on a Burnham.... hmmmm
  • Dave0176
    Dave0176 Member Posts: 1,177
    kcopp said:

    Carlin conversion burner on a Burnham.... hmmmm

    I didn’t do the conversion however it runs beautifully. Burnham doesn’t recommend or support it however this boiler was installed 10 years ago so it’s out of Burnhams warranty, so a big middle finger to them.
    DL Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling and Plumbing 732-266-5386
    NJ Master HVACR Lic# 4630
    Specializing in Steam Heating, Serving the residents of New Jersey
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/dl-mechanical-llc

    https://m.facebook.com/DL-Mechanical-LLC-315309995326627/?ref=content_filter

    I cannot force people to spend money, I can only suggest how to spend it wisely.......
    kcoppSTEVEusaPAethicalpaulSteamhead
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,007
    Wow what a beauty! Did you downfire it a bit to right-size it?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    Dave0176
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,320
    @ethicalpaul you can only down fire power burners typically no more then 10-15% before one runs into issues with high CO2 readings and flue gas condensate. I previously looked at that job too and the boiler is over 30% oversized for the system.
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    ethicalpaul
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,320
    Nice clean repipe Dave.
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    Tinman
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,491
    God forbid the original installer read the manual!

    The owner had to pay twice but now he has a system that works the way it was intended to.

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 8,517
    You got to be proud of that! @Dave0176

    Interesting to find out how much the fuel bill changed from before you started, compared to now. Can you ask the owner to get the records from several years back? Then match it up to next year's totals. That would be a good tool to use on future bids, seeing how the homeowner has experienced poor performance prior to your artwork... and now you must be Saint David of Steamtown.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Dave0176
  • The Steam Whisperer
    The Steam Whisperer Member Posts: 1,238
    EzzyT.... We downfire as much as 60% or more quite regularly on steam gas power burners without problems with CO or condensing. Most of our mod burner installations are 3 or 4 to 1 downturns. On Typical Cast iron boilers usually stack temperatures remain high enough for proper operation. On big old Pacifics and Kewanee's we have to watch the stack temps.... they are so efficient for transfer of radiant heat that stack temps can easily drop below 300F. I wonder why you are having problems.
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,209
    Nice! Though, a 4-inch header on a 513? Next we'll see someone do a 5-incher so they can say theirs is bigger >:)

    I'm always amazed to see mis-piped MegaSteams, since Burnham makes piping kits for them which are supposed to take out the guesswork and knuckleheading. Here's one we found not long ago:

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/181044/goin-up-the-country-milvaco-vapor-megasteam-rescue
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Dave0176